New 'Festive Flinders' campaign to revitalise Townsville CBD with month of events

Townsville's CBD will transform into a festive wonderland this December as businesses unite for a month of events, music, and fun to revitalise the city centre. SEE THE PLANS

Uptown Committee members Lucy Downes and Miranda Mears ahead of the launch of Festive Flinders, an uptown initiative to activate Finders Street with festive cheer. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The Townsville CBD will be transformed into a festive wonderland with markets, music, and daily surprises as local businesses unite for a month-long Christmas celebration as part of the campaign to revitalise the city’s heart.

An initiative led by the CBD-reviving UpTown Townsville committee, Festive Flinders will be an opportunity for retailers, hospitality venues, and businesses across the CBD to dress their space and light up the street to welcome visitors during the festive season.

Uptown Townsville chair Miranda Mears said residents will be treated to a range of fun, “quirky activities that were a little bit different” to activate and reinvent the CBD throughout December, in conjunction with the return of 2hr free parking.

“It’s the first of one of many campaigns that we have got planned for the next 12 months,” she promised.

“It’s about bringing all of the people that are already here living and working in the CBD down to ground level to be part of our community, and also bringing other people back in (to the city).

Uptown Committee members Debbie Rains, Miranda Mears Michael Kopittke and Lucy Downes ahead of the launch of Festive Flinders, an uptown initiative to activate Finders Street with festive cheer. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“We’re starting fairly simple this year, but we plan for this to grow over the years to get everybody involved.”

An Activation Advent Calendar will reveal daily festive happenings around the CBD, from giveaways and pop-ups to mini performances, trivia challenges, and surprise treats.

The month of fun will kick off with children’s colouring competition with entry forms available from participating CBD businesses.

Excitement levels will shift up a gear on Friday, December 5, for a special event called Festive Flinders Night at Townsville Bulletin Square.

Visitors will be treated to live carols and music from schools and community groups, Santa and his elves will make an appearance delivering lollies and treats, markets and food stalls will be operating.

People will be able to grab a trivia map and take a stroll through the CBD and discover shopfronts, lights, and displays created by local businesses as part of the Festive Flinders Walk and Trivia Trail, answering fun questions along the way.

Ava Ferguson, Christina Paul, Brittany Giudes, Lucy Downes, Franz Linzmayer, Miranda Mears and Michael Kopittke, ahead of the launch of Festive Flinders, an uptown initiative to activate Finders Street with festive cheer. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Contestants will go into the draw for the Big Santa Sleigh Raffle, packed with prizes from local traders.

The winners of the raffle and colouring competition winners will be announced at a Christmas Packed Lunch event, planned for December 23.

Businesses participating in Festive Flinders will receive a bottle of wine as thanks, and raffle tickets to share with customers.

For more information, visit: uptowntsv.com.au.

Originally published as New 'Festive Flinders' campaign to revitalise Townsville CBD with month of events