Christmas by the Beach marks start of Townsville’s festive celebrations
Date published: 24 November 2023
Thousands of people are expected to flock to The Strand tomorrow afternoon for Council’s first Christmas by the Beach event.
Strand Park will be the centre for free family festive fun to herald in the Christmas period in North Queensland.
Mayor Jenny Hill said there would be something for everyone.
“Christmas by the Beach is a new event for Townsville and is an opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate the festive period while enjoying all The Strand has to offer,” Cr Hill said.
“Strand Park will become a hive of Christmas activity featuring live entertainment, kids’ amusements, delicious food, gingerbread decorating workshops, mechanical surfboard, laser skirmish, Velcro wall and a visit from Santa.
“A new 12-metre-high Christmas tree has been installed on The Strand and I am excited to be able to turn on the lights.
“We will also celebrate some of the city’s most talented sculptors, with our Sandman Sculpture competition awarding up to $1,250 in prizes for the best work.
“Townsville’s top young artists will also be recognised as winners of our much-loved Festive Flags competition and will be presented with a mini corflute of their design.”
Cr Hill said Christmas by the Beach was one of several events planned across the city during the festive period.
“Council has also installed a 12-metre-high Christmas tree at Riverway which will complement several of the festive activations there including Carols by Candlelight, Stable at Riverway and Riverway Movie Night’s screening of A Boy Called Christmas,” she said.
“This year Council is also helping residents escape the Christmas-season heat by offering free entry to all the city’s public swimming pools during December.
“From the start of next month, we are also reintroducing two-hour free parking in the city to help residents shop with some of our local retailers.”
Christmas by the Beach is on from 5pm tomorrow (Saturday 25 November 2023).
