Tens of thousands expected as beloved Townsville Christmas event finds a new venue

A woman who played baby Jesus in 2002 returns as Mary with her own newborn son, bringing extraordinary symmetry to Townsville’s beloved Christmas celebration.

Stable Media Launch at Cluden Park. Photo: Ben Green

This year Townsville’s famed Christmas Stable event will be held at a new location, the Cluden Racecourse, with officials hoping for better conditions thanks to the new home.

Kicking off at 5:30pm – 9:30pm every night from the 18th – 22nd of December, this annual event is expected to attract nearly 40,000 visitors from all over NQ.

The Stable at Cluden is a completely free family event that presents the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus through props, outfits, acting and storytelling that transport the community back in time 2000 years to Bethlehem.

Event manager Anne Harley reveals the reason behind the venue change this year as it was previously held at Riverway.

“Riverway is a beautiful site, (but) for the last 3 years, it’s been very wet and damp, we thought maybe this place will be drier and it gives another group of people a chance to come to Stable,” Ms Harley said.

This year’s Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus trio features a special connection to the celebration.

Chelsea Emery, who will play Mary, actually played the role of ‘Jesus’ in Stable 2002.

She and her husband, Arden Emery, are thrilled to bring their own newborn son, Harlan Emery, to the presentation making this a special full-circle moment for her and her family.

Stable Media Launch at Cluden Park. Photo: Ben Green

Expect Christmas entertainment spread between two stages featuring artists including Levi X (who featured on ‘The Voice’), River Movement from Brisbane, singers Aimee Segal, John Scanlan, Eli & amp, Kayla Daly, Amelia Betcher, Roark Newman, Sharon & Brooke Ransom and violinist Katisha Adelaide.

The event also offers a wide range of interactive activities for families to get involved in that include the marketplace, the Carpenter’s Workshop, the Fish Pond, Petting Farm, a Loom to learn how to weave, puppet play and much more.

President of the Stable NQ Fiona Cochrane, said “we’re going to be fast forward into the future as well, there’ll be amazing performances, live speakers, choreograph dancers and things like that from the main stage, and then also in the youth and families area, there’s a lot of things to connect with you and young adults, like tie-dye, henna, basketball, pickleball, a lot of things for everybody.”

“Stable is an opportunity for you to come and to celebrate who Townsville really is,” she added.

Townsville’s Mayor Nick Dametto said “for Catholics and Christians out there, it (the event) means celebrating the birth of Christ, (but) for those families that may not have a religious background, it’s an opportunity for them to come together and maybe learn about the true message of Christmas.”

“(We’ve) got something really special here and we should be celebrating it,” he added.

Originally published as Tens of thousands expected as beloved Townsville Christmas event finds a new venue