The City of Greater Geelong is preparing to deliver an expanded program of free Christmas events and activities across the region, including a Giant Christmas Selfie Trail across 22 destinations.
Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan today unveiled a sneak-peak of the City’s promotional campaign for Christmas alongside a billboard at Eastern Beach that proclaims, ‘Christmas is coming.’
Next week a giant Christmas tree will also be rolled out on the wall of the Civic Car Park opposite Geelong City Hall.
Council is thrilled to have been successful in bringing forward the build-up to Christmas, particularly the installation and lighting of the iconic Christmas Tree on the Waterfront.
The Giant Christmas Selfie Trail will feature 22 destinations across the region, including five interactive artworks across Corio, North Geelong, and Norlane.
This year’s campaign artwork features Geelong’s famous floating Christmas Tree overlaid with other iconic local features including GMHBA Stadium, the Baywalk Bollards, a sheep from the National Wool Museum, the Carousel and Giant Sky Wheel at Eastern Beach.
Prior to COVID-19, Geelong’s Christmas program generated an estimated $18.5 million in economic activity and attracted more than 330,000 visitors. The floating tree alone attracted 193,000 visitors.
The program has been designed with safety as its highest priority, so visitors can enjoy the festive season in line with COVID-19 guidelines including social distancing, masks and QR codes.
Highlights of the program will include:
- Floating Christmas Tree
- Projections on City Hall
- School Christmas Trees in Johnstone Park
- Geelong Christmas Trail
- Festive street entertainment
- Santa’s Letterbox
- Best Selfie Competition
- Geelong Giving Tree Appeal.
The hashtag for 2021 is #GeelongChristmas. The Geelong Christmas website will be launched soon.
Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan
With an iconic Christmas tree that illuminates Corio Bay, the City of Greater Geelong is Victoria’s home of Christmas this holiday season.
It has been a tough year for residents and businesses so we’re lighting the way with a program of free events and activities so that everyone can experience the joy of Christmas.
Our Christmas program provides an economic benefit to the region, boosts Geelong’s profile and spreads pride and Christmas cheer throughout the community.
The Geelong region will be filled with music, shopping, projections, decorations and activity as we help residents and businesses to get into the Christmas spirit.
Councillor Eddy Kontelj
Given the challenging pandemic environment we have all been living through, we really want to create some positivity now, whilst also providing the community, including families and children, with something to look forward to and get excited about.
November and December are such a critical time of year for our hospitality businesses, so we’re encouraging everyone to dine out locally while enjoying the free entertainment and attractions provided across the region.
From watching street performers or touring the selfie trail, we want community members to have fun while supporting local jobs and businesses.
Christmas is a great time to dine out with friends or bring a small team together while supporting the bars, cafes and restaurants that have been doing it tough.
Councillor Kylie Grzybek
Whether you want to stay local or pack the kids in the car to visit all 22 destinations on the Giant Selfie Trail, there’s something for everyone.
We’re creating experiences that are perfect for family photos and selfies. There will be Candy Canes, a Surfing Santa and of course some mistletoe. We can’t wait to release the full Christmas program soon.
