Join in Geelong’s festive spirit this Christmas

More than 40 locations feature in this year’s Christmas program, so we’d love to see families celebrating all the free attractions on offer across the City of Greater Geelong.

Victoria’s Christmas Capital

Whether it’s traditional attractions like our Floating Christmas Tree, Projections on City Hall, the School Christmas Trees, or some exciting new elements like the interactive windows and Giant Selfie Trail, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

More than 261,000 people attended last year’s Christmas program, which generated more than $20 million in economic output for the region.

Our Christmas program creates jobs for tradies, lighting experts, and children’s entertainers as well as generating income for hard working small business owners.

With two-hour parking free in Central Geelong throughout December, it is now easier to enjoy the fun of Victoria’s Christmas capital.

Giant Selfie Trail

The Giant Selfie Trial is spreading Christmas fun to 22 destinations across the City of Greater Geelong. We’re creating experiences that are perfect for family photos and selfies.

You can kiss under the mistletoe at Armstrong Creek, join Santa in a Snow Globe at Barwon Heads, sit with Santa at Corio Library, or become an angel at the Geelong Arts Centre.

Floating Christmas Tree

Everyone looks forward to the return of the Floating Christmas Tree to Geelong Waterfront and we’re thrilled to help families enjoy free entertainment at this special time of year.

The tree is powered up from 8.30pm to midnight each evening. The free sound and light show lasts for six minutes and runs every 15 minutes.

About the tree:

• The 10-tonne steel Christmas tree was constructed by Geelong manufacturer Hanlon Industries in 2014
• The tree is 25 metres tall and made up of 400 LED lights and 11,000 reflective discs
• The star is four-metres wide and gently rotates with the wind direction
• Prior to COVID-19, the floating tree attracted 193,000 visitors, and
• The tree will be in place until Friday, January 7, 2022 (to align with Orthodox Christmas).

Santa letters and competition
Families in Greater Geelong can post a letter in Santa’s mailbox as well as enter a Christmas competition to win a visit from the big red man himself.

Children can post letters to Santa at Geelong Waterfront or in Norlane, while Santa is also preparing to visit the home of one lucky family who will be declared winners in the City of Greater Geelong’s Christmas competition.

Santa will bring a gift for the lucky child and will hear their Christmas wishes. The city’s photographer will take commemorative photos of the child and their family as they soak up the Christmas magic.

To go in the running to win a visit from Santa, submit your details before 12pm Tuesday, December 14, 2021.

The winner will be announced on the city’s Facebook page and Santa will make the special visit on Friday, December 17, 2021.

Families can also go in the running to win weekly prizes such as hampers and gift cards. Terms and conditions apply.

Families can also visit Santa’s mailbox to send letters direct to the North Pole.Family members or friends just need to download the online form, help write the letter, and post it using the mailbox at the Corio Library in Norlane or at The Carousel at Geelong Waterfront.

Visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au/christmas/article/item/8d98d6e96b76986 for entry details.

Projections

City Hall’s Gheringhap Street facade has come alive with the animated light shows created by local artists Alex Evans, Matt Bonner and Melbourne artist Olaf Meyer.

Shorts Place, a brief walk from City Hall in central Geelong, is also illuminated by festive projections nightly.

Each artist has created a display that runs between five and seven minutes that will run nightly from 8.30pm until 11.30pm. As the summer days lengthen in December, the show is best experienced from 9pm.

Visitors to the Love Central Geelong Christmas Hub on Little Malop Street Central can also create a free magic wand to activate a series of Christmas windows on offer in Central Geelong until Friday, December 31.