West Park to light up for longest night

GEELONG’S West Park will come alive tomorrow (Saturday, June 21) as the community celebrates the longest night of the year.

Run by the Geelong West Neighbourhood House, the event will feature lanterns, music, fire twirling and community fun to mark the return of light as people come together for the evening.

Organiser Mia Devani said the event had been running for years, with the 2025 iteration expanding to include market stalls and more activities.

“We’ve got fairy garden making for the kids and lantern-making, which we usually do as a separate thing, but we’re doing on the day this time.

“Lots of stuff for people, kids in particular, to do and beautiful live music. There’ll be lots of spaces for people to just relax and chill out and look at the markets.”

Stall holders will be made up of Tastes of Tibet, Go With The Flow Coffee and Crepes, Lovecraft Industries and more.

Designed to be all-inclusive, the event will have a sensory sanctuary and quiet space for people with sensory needs to regulate.

The Winter Solstice Celebration was born from Geelong West Neighbourhood House’s desire to create spaces for the community to gather and get to know one another.

“Doing activities and things like that is a really beautiful way to build up that sense of community for people,” Ms Devani said.

“That’s the main driving force for when I’m thinking about how to create the event, it’s always with that in mind on how to connect people and help them to build relationships that might last past the event.”

People heading along are encouraged to take or make their own lantern, rug up and come together to celebrate.

The Winter Solstice Celebration will run from 5pm until 8pm at West Park in Geelong West.

For more information, head to the Geelong West Neighbourhood House Facebook page.