“Scrooge town” no more – residents rally to bring Christmas cheer to Byron Bay

LOCAL residents have banded together to help create a festive atmosphere in town, with a free Christmas movie under the stars to be held at Byron Bay Bowling Club on Monday, December 22.

The screening of the classic film Home Alone will begin at 7.30pm, with families encouraged to arrive with picnic rugs from 6pm to enjoy the pre-movie festivities.

The event, which is sponsored by Byron Bay Bowling Club and Byron Bay Services Club, will also feature a performance by the Byron Bay Hula/Mana Aloha Dance troupe and singer Caitlin Quinn, along with a visit from Santa.

The Byron Christmas Community Initiative was formed four years ago with the aim of reviving the joy of Christmas for both locals and visitors. In 2022, the group wheelbarrowed a Christmas tree around town and invited children to help decorate it. The following year, they received a grant from Byron Shire Council to decorate the former station master’s cottage with lights, install a Christmas tree and host a concert in the CBD. A Christmas tree was also lit up on the lawn in front of the cottage last year.

But coordinator Stephanie Rake said this year has been particularly challenging, with council prioritising drainage works near the rail corridor, limiting available CBD locations for a Christmas tree.

“While the Cavanbah Centre was offered, it defeated the purpose of a central, walkable location for families and visitors,” Rake said.

Volunteers will now drive the tree around the CBD on a float between 5.30pm and 7.30pm in the days leading up to Christmas.

Rake said visitors and locals often ask what is Byron is doing for Christmas decorations, but it requires proactive community effort and support.

“Sadly, Byron has even been referred to as a ‘Scrooge town’ at Christmas, which feels unfair when so many volunteers and businesses work tirelessly through the year,” she said.