Ready, Set, Christmas
Published: 30 Nov 2023 11:55am
‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’ in Wagga Wagga, with Council rolling out its 2023 Christmas program.
This year will showcase festive decorations in the city centre, a Christmas Trail event in our local suburb parks, the release of a brand-new Wagga Wagga Christmas jingle and 12 days of Christmas giveaways to be won.
The Christmas Trail event is set to make a return for 2023, with the community encouraged to save the date for the special activities on the afternoon of Wednesday 6 December.
Council Events Officer Emma Corbett said Council is excited to be bringing the Christmas Trail back to visit local parks at three suburban locations across the city.
“Santa and Mrs Claus will be jingling into Cootamundra Park at Gobbagombalin, Henwood Park in Kooringal and the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens in Turvey Park to bring Christmas cheer to the community,” Ms Corbett said.
“We would love to see families dress in their Christmas best, put on their reindeer antlers or Santa hats and head down to their local park so they can meet Santa and Mrs Claus.
“Each location will have free activities for kids and families to participate in including workshops, bubble play, and interactive performances, and if you’re at the Botanic Gardens, you will also get the chance to meet animals from the Zoo & Aviary.”
3.30pm – 4.15pm Cootamundra Park, Cootamundra Boulevard, Gobbagombalin
4.15pm – 5.00pm Henwood Park, The Boulevard, Kooringal
5.00pm – 5.45pm Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay Street, Turvey Park
The Christmas Trail is just one of many festive experiences Council has prepared in the city, from the merry and bright Christmas flags and decorations in the main street to the trio of stars installed in the Civic Centre forecourt.
The decorations will be on display to the public from 30 November 2023 until 12 January 2024.
Community and visitors can also enjoy the release of a brand-new Wagga Wagga Christmas video celebrating tourism in the city during the festive season. This year's production has been made in collaboration with the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.
“The video features an original Wagga Wagga Christmas themed jingle and highlights landmarks and locations in the city,” Ms Corbett said.
“The Riverina Conservatorium of Music will also play the jingle live at their upcoming ‘Christmas with the Con’ community event at Riverside on Saturday 16 December.”
To round out the festivities, Council will be releasing a new Christmas giveaway competition, where locals and visitors can enter the draw to win a range of prizes showcasing some of our Wagga Wagga and Surrounds best tourism offerings and experiences.
“'Tis the season for giving and this year we want to share a sleigh-load of festive cheer with our locals and visitors,” Ms Corbett said.
"A new interactive ‘Giftmas’ calendar hosted on the Visit Wagga Wagga website will reveal amazing prizes leading up to Christmas. Think indulgent dinners, luxury stays, gifts for the kids and much, much more.”