Victorian Christmas: Find out how Christmas is being celebrated near you

Right across the state, Christmas trees, decorations and even roving musical performers are out spreading the festive cheer. Find out what’s happening in your area.

After two years of — let’s be honest — more than a few kicks in the gut, Victorians are making the most of the Christmas period. Find out what your council is doing to spread the festive cheer.

CITY OF GREATER DANDENONG

The festive Christmas season in Greater Dandenong includes the New Year period and decorations will keep the festive cheer going all the way to January 10.

There are a range of Christmas activations and roving performances will be delivered in the central activity centres of Dandenong, Noble Park and Springvale.

Large scale decorations have been installed at each centre and are complemented with a range of smaller decorations, including Christmas trees, decorations on public seating, metal Christmas trees in Springvale and festive display crates with doves and mandalas in Noble Park.

In Dandenong, a festive mural on the steps leading from Lonsdale St to Harmony Square and a nativity window display at the library has been installed.

There will be a total of six larger installations to mark the festive season across Greater Dandenong.

This year’s budget is similar to last year and is about $210,000 — which includes the annual cost to store the larger decoration while not on display.

STONNINGTON COUNCIL

Stonnington City Council is spending $410,000 to cover a new of Christmas decorations in 2022, but will use neutral language to offer a “variety of festive motifs” to the community.

“This year our campaign is to ‘make merry’,” a spokesperson said.

“This ensures we are considerate of religious and cultural diversity.”

The spokesperson said the council funds decorations on a four-year cycle.

“Council’s Christmas campaign is in its first years of a four-year cycle,” they said.

“The council spends up to $410,000 excluding GST on concept design, production and the final installations.”

The council has decided to campaign Christmas festivities with neutral language to offer a “variety of festive motifs” to the community.
“This year our campaign is to ‘make merry’,” the spokesperson said.

“This ensures we are considerate of religious and cultural diversity.”

The Stonnington community can celebrate Christmas together at one of two ‘Christmas Concerts’ this year. The festive details are:

Family Christmas in Central Park on Sunday, December 11; and

Como Carols on Sunday, December 18 in Como Park South Yarra.

“There will also be family friendly Christmas activities in Prahran Square on December 17 and 18,” the spokesperson said.

Sometimes a simple decoration is all it takes during the festive season.

WHITEHORSE COUNCIL

The City of Whitehorse is taking a similar sustainable direction to Christmas decorations in 2022.

“Council invested in large decorations and installations some years ago, and re-uses them each year,” a council spokesperson said.

“We’ve consulted the community on our decorations and they are supportive of decorations across the municipality.”

The council’s annual carols event will be held on Sunday, December 18, at Tunstall Park behind the Nunawading Community Hub.

“We expect the event to be very well attended,” the spokesperson said.

“For those who are able to, we are encouraging the community to walk or use public transport to travel to the event. For those who are driving, we are also asking the community to be respectful of residents in the neighbouring streets by parking further away from the venue and avoiding traffic congestion.”

KNOX COUNCIL

Knox Council will install its existing nativity scene outside its civic centre on Burwood Highway. The council does not supply decorations for shopping precincts.

Knox Council’s major Christmas activity is its annual Knox Carols by Candlelight event, which is on Saturday, December 10 at Wally Tew Reserve.

SHIRE OF YARRA RANGES

Mayor Jim Child said the council was passionate about positioning Yarra Ranges as the premier regional destination for all seasonal experiences and was working with the business community to encourage visitors to come to the shire this festive season.

“For our 55 vibrant townships, we have a variety of plans to complement and activate each unique area and attract people into the Yarra Ranges for their Christmas shopping, and discover everything Yarra Ranges has to offer, from our Christmas tree farms, berry picking and of course a unique variety of gifts and gourmet produce,” he said.

The council’s Christmas Giving Trees have been installed at Community Links around the Shire to receive the community’s gifts as part of an annual donation drive for meaningful charities.

The council also supports the annual Christmas Window competition which helps individual businesses and township groups to create seasonal atmosphere in activity centres.

The council is also running a public musical performances program in time for Christmas.

“However you celebrate, you’ll find your reason to support local and visit the Yarra Ranges this season,” Cr Child said.

What? Dogs can’t celebrate Christmas as well? Picture: Tony Gough

MONASH COUNCIL

Festive decorations will be installed across the City of Monash

Bin wraps and decals will be at the busiest shopping precincts already while other major decorations and flags will be fitted, while the Christmas tree is already sparkling at Oakleigh’s Eaton Mall

Council’s budget, including installation, was $130,000, which is roughly the same amount as last year and includes replacing older decorations while focusing on reusing and recycling

FRANKSTON COUNCIL

Frankston’s Festival of Lights returned this year after being paused during Covid.

The November 26 event marked the start of the festive season in the seaside suburb and featured the lighting of an iconic 130-year-old Norfolk Pine Tree in Davey St as part of a tradition that dates back 50 years.

The lights will be turned on at 8pm until early January.

Decorations including a much-loved Santa sleigh and reindeer, Christmas trees and

lights, and a larger than life Christmas present will also return as part of the festival.

This year the council will also splurge $50,000 on additional decorations.

However, it will continue its strong emphasis on recycling and reusing decorations where appropriate.

Mayor Nathan Conroy said: “Sharing special moments with family and friends is what Christmas is all about.”

MARIBYRNONG COUNCIL

Maribyrnong is seeking to reduce the expensive of their Christmas events by adopting a sustainable approach to the festivities.

The council is outlaying $30,000 for Christmas which is in-line with previous years, while helping to lower costs by reusing some decorations from past years.

The council’s chief executive Celia Haddock said: “The City of Maribyrnong comes to life at this time of year with a fantastic calendar of festive events, activities, and activations to support our community in coming together to celebrate Christmas.”

Not that Santa is in it for the money, but that doesn’t mean he can’t pull on some bling during the festive season.

MERRI-BEK COUNCIL

It may have a new name but Merri-Bek is putting in the work for festive cheer this year.

The council has allocated $289,000 for Christmas this year which is consistent with previous years

Mayor Mark Riley said he was looking forward to bringing Christmas to Merri-Bek residents

“Christmas has arrived in Merri-Bek for 2022, with decorations now adorning infrastructure around the city,” Cr Riley said.

“Santa’s helpers have installed garlands, shimmering stars, Christmas trees and special lighting around our major activity centres in Glenroy, Coburg and Brunswick.

“I look forward to seeing Merri-Bek residents supporting local businesses and services during this festive time of year.”

MORNINGTON PENINSULA SHIRE

Chambers of Commerce take the lead on Christmas across the Mornington Peninsula.

Decorations are usually organised and funded by the trader groups in each town.

In Mt Eliza trees throughout the village have been decorated by locals with ribbons and hand made trinkets.

Meanwhile, the Somerville Business Group has organised free decoration starter kits to businesses to kick start their Christmas windows.

Traders can the enter their efforts into a competition which encourages people to vote for their favourite window via a QR code at the shop.

The town will also be visited by Santa on Saturday, December 10.

Saint Nick will kick things off at the St Andrews Church Market at 9.45 before moving to the Central Shopping Centre at 10am and then popping into the Plaza Shopping Centre at 11am.

By noon he’ll be at Station Street shopping strip and finish up at Somerville Village Eastside at 12.15pm.

He’ll be handing out treats and posing for photos at each stop.

NILLUMBIK SHIRE

Decorations inspired by local flora and fauna will adorn the townships of Nillumbik Shire this Christmas, with the council hoping the brightened streets will complement its Shop Local campaign.

The council will support community celebrations and local businesses festivities as part of the Christmas in Nillumbik program, with grants available for groups and not-for-profit organisations to hold events and activities such as carols, music performances, craft workshops and window displays.

The council will spend $60,000 on Christmas this year, which matches the budget for last year.

YARRA CITY COUNCIL

Yarra City Council is ensuring residents receive the same Christmas experience as previous years with decorations and events being rolled out.

The council is spending $85,000 on decorations and community events

The Christmas Carols in the Park is returning featuring singers and primary schools from the Yarra area on December 8 at Darling Gardens in Clifton Hill.

The council is featuring artwork projections on the Richmond Town Hall and Carlton Library from December 15 to January 3.

CITY OF DAREBIN

The council will celebrate Christmas by decorating with Christmas trees and supporting events and activities in shopping centres, including music, art and community events.

According to a council spokesperson, the Darebin Festive program “aims to reflect the welcoming, culturally diverse, creative, socially and environmentally responsible community of Darebin.”

The council is hoping to support local businesses with the festive theme ‘‘Tis the Season to Go Local’, encouraging residents to discover different parts of Darebin’s retail and hospitality.

The council will spend between $65,000-$80,000 on the festivities.

You don’t need the council to put on a public display, you can always create your own. Picture: Supplied

CITY OF CASEY
The City of Casey’s Christmas decorations budget for 2022 is set at $8000, with previous years’ decorations being reused where possible

The city’s manager of active communities, Angie Peresso, said the “spirit of Christmas aligns with Casey’s organisation values”.

“Goodwill, giving to others, inclusion, hope, celebration and gratitude all align with our values,” she said.

“To bring Bunjil Place alive this festive season, there will be a Christmas display in the precinct.”

Ms Peresso said the display would include a large tree, which has been used in previous years.

“Council will also install Christmas banners in prominent locations across Casey, with these banners reused from previous years,” she said.

Casey council also provided a list of independently run Christmas Carol events across the suburbs.

Endeavour Hills Carols: Saturday, December 10, 5-9.30pm, Revel Church and Barry Simon Reserve;

Narre Warren North Carols: Saturday, December 10, 6.30-10.30pm, A‘Beckett Road Reserve;

Hampton Park Carols: Friday, December 16, 6.30-1pm, Cairns Road Reserve;

Christmas on the Foreshore and fireworks display: Friday, December 16, 6-10pm at Tooradin Foreshore;

Gethsemane Clyde Carols (online): Saturday, December 17, 7.30pm;

Cranbourne Carols: Sunday, December 18, 6-8.30pm at Cranbourne Presbyterian Church; and

Carols by Twilight: Saturday, December 12, Max Pawsey Reserve.

WARRNAMBOOL

In 2021, Warrnambool City Council spent $42,622 on repairs, replacements, installation and removal of its Christmas lights.

This year, the Council has a budget of $45,000 for lighting and decorations.

There are about 135 Christmas-themed tinsel covered frames installed around the CBD, Pertobe Rd, Raglan Parade (east and west city entrances) and Gateway Rd.

There are also 18 pole banners in Liebig Street; 14 illuminated frames in Liebig St; 16 illuminated and 16 ornamental festoon lights at the intersection of Kepler and Koroit and 24 illuminated and 24 ornamental festoon lights in Liebig St.

The showpiece is a decorated Norfolk Island pine at the Civic Green.

In addition, there are several Christmas neon light installations that are installed at popular locations around the city, the budget for these lights is about $1500 for installation and maintenance.

Away from the big smoke, Christmas is just as important and is celebrated with just as much gusto.

BALLARAT

In 2021, the City of Ballarat budget for the ‘Christmas in Ballarat’ program was $250,000.

The budget for Christmas decorations for 2022 is also $250,000.

The Christmas in Ballarat budget includes costs for decorations, transportation, installation, equipment hire, traffic management, electrician fees, arborist fees, artists fees, live music performances, street activations, signage, marketing and promotions and other associated costs.

The City of Ballarat Christmas celebrations is collectively called ‘Christmas in Ballarat’; however, the term ‘festive season’ is also used throughout the city, director of community wellbeing Matthew Wilson said.

COLAC OTWAY

Colac Otway Shire Council has installed a 7-metre high Christmas tree, decorated with baubles and lights, in Colac’s Memorial Square.

Christmas themed flags are also flying in Colac’s main street (Murray Street).

Council also provided funding toward Light Up Apollo Bay, the lighting of a Norfolk Pine tree with over 80,000 individual LED lights on the Apollo Bay foreshore.

The Norfolk Pine is lit from early December until late January.Colac Otway Shire Council’s street activation, including Christmas decorations budget for 2022 is $20,000.

Colac Otway Shire Council’s 2021 budget for Christmas decorations was $45,000.

MOYNE SHIRE

Moyne Shire does not provide Christmas decorations for each of its townships. Given the size of the shire and the number of townships it includes, decorating towns for Christmas and organisation of community celebrations is done by community and sometimes business groups.

The council does provide support for community events through the Festival and Event Fund; this year $3000 was allocated to the Mortlake Community Christmas Celebration after it lodged an application to the fund.

MOONEE VALLEY COUNCIL

The council have allocated $173,000 for Christmas this year which is down from the $293,000 spent in 2021/22. The 2021/22 figure was boosted by state government grants.

In a statement, the council said it was looking forward to the festive season and connecting with family and friends.

HUME CITY COUNCIL

The council has increased its Christmas spending in recent years due to positive feedback.

“Prior to 2020 the Christmas decorations budget was $20,000 and comprised of one large Christmas tree in Civic Plaza Broadmeadows,” the council said in a statement.

“In 2020, the budget was expanded to $100,000. The community feedback was positive, so in 2021 Council approved a budget increase totalling $400,000.”

CITY OF WHITTLESEA

The City of Whittlesea will bring Christmas cheer through its annual Carols by Candlelight, a free event held at the Civic Centre lawns in South Morang.

The council will also support the Whittlesea Christmas Tree extravaganza which is a Whittlesea Agricultural Society initiative, and the Whittlesea Emergency Relief Network’s Toy Drive.

Whittlesea Retailers and traders organise their own decorations for strip shopping.