Save the date for launch of Christmas on Redlands Coast

Get ready to deck the halls and jingle the bells – Redland City Council will launch its four-week city-wide Christmas festival on Friday 22 November 2024.

Mayor Jos Mitchell said Christmas on Redlands Coast would offer a range of traditional and new festive activities for the whole family to enjoy.

“Council’s Christmas program has been reimagined this year to ensure we are showcasing more of our city and bringing activities to residents across both our mainland and island communities,” the Mayor said.

“This year’s Christmas program will be launched with the traditional Redlands Coast Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Raby Bay Harbour Park on 22 November.

“The free event will include carols, Santa photos, roving performers, craft activities, face painting and a Christmas movie, The Santa Clause.

“The free Christmas movies in the park will continue weekly until 13 December with Arthur Christmas at Capalaba, Elf on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and Home Alone 2 at Thornlands.

“Each of these Festive Friday Flicks nights will include free Santa photos and a roving performer.”

The Mayor said this year’s Christmas on Redlands Coast would include events with an innovative and fun digital twist through the use of augmented reality.

“A Christmas Trail has been developed with colourful images of Santa, elves and snowmen placed at nine locations across the city,” she said.

“If you download the free app on your smartphone and hold it over the artwork it will come to life with animated characters dancing in the air – providing a great photo opportunity.

“There is also an interactive festive colouring competition where, if you scan your completed entry, you can watch it magically come to life.

“For the young and young at heart, Council has also set up a special phone with a hotline direct to Santa within the Redlands Coast Visitor Information Centre in Cleveland from 22 November to 20 December.

“This phone is perfect for anyone wanting to give Santa their Christmas wish list or just to reassure him you should definitely be on the good list.”

Council will light up four locations with Christmas light displays from 22 November – Cleveland Point, Raby Bay Harbour Park, Victoria Point Library Square and Wellington Point Village Green.

The Mayor said Christmas on Redlands Coast included not only Council-led events but a wide range of community events as well.

“There are Christmas-themed activities, performances and events for all ages being held at Redland Performing Arts Centre, Redland Libraries and Redland IndigiScapes Centre,” she said.

“Redland City Council has provided funding to support community-led events such as the Wellington Point Village Christmas Markets, the Calvary Family Church’s Christmas in the Park at Mount Cotton and The Cage Community Christmas by the Bay in Redland Bay.”

“Council is offering an additional, early round of Village Events and Activation Grant funding this year to give even more community groups the opportunity to apply for funding to support community-led festive events.

“There are also many Redlands Coast community groups, churches and schools who host Christmas events and traders markets – ensuring there are plenty of opportunities for local families and their friends to come together, celebrate and find a special gift for their loved ones.

“All these Christmas events are wonderful ways we can support our local community, our villages and each other.”

For more information about Christmas on Redlands Coast, including a listing of Council and community events, visit redland.qld.gov.au/christmas