Christmas in Ipswich: More than Mariah and Keira
Published on 12 November 2025
While rewatching Love Actually or adding All I Want for Christmas is You to the daily mix are part of the fun, the real festive tradition loved by everyone is celebrating Christmas in Ipswich.
Ipswich City Council’s city-wide Christmas in Ipswich festival is back for 2025 with a bigger-than-ever program of events, markets and displays.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said between making toys and looking after reindeers, Santa’s elves have been busy putting together a Christmas in Ipswich program full of festive fun for all residents and visitors.
“Nobody does Christmas better than Ipswich as our communities gather in the festive spirit that envelops our city during this most wonderful time of the year,” Mayor Harding said.
“More than 40 events will be held across the city including carols in Brassall, Springfield Central, Redbank, Raceview, Ripley, Booval and Marburg as renditions of favourites such as Little Drummer Boy and Silent Night echo throughout neighbourhoods.
“The heart of the city will shine again as the centrepiece of Christmas in Ipswich, with our City Christmas Tree to stand radiantly at d’Arcy Doyle Place as it’s lit on the evening of Thursday, 27 November.
“Across the road, the spectacular lighting displays of St Nicholas Precinct will return from 12 to 21 December after dazzling almost 40,000 visitors last year.
“For those seeking a gentler, quieter and sensory-friendly experience while enjoying the spirit of Christmas in the community, a Low Sensory Night will be held in Nicholas Street Precinct on Monday, 15 December.
“The precinct will also host the Ipswich Handmade Expo Christmas Extravaganza markets, with live music and food trucks, on Saturday, 6 December, as well as Santa & Sirens where kids can meet real-life emergency service heroes on Thursday, 27 November.”
Economic and Cultural Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Pye Augustine said Christmas in Ipswich is one of many council-run festivals held throughout the year, bringing social and economic benefits to the city.
“As a community-minded and family-orientated city, Christmas is a time for our residents to come together to celebrate our peaceful, inclusive and pleasant way of life,” Cr Augustine said.
“Our streets will come alive for our City of Ipswich Christmas Lights Competition, plus Christmas Lights Tours showcasing the best displays from the competition.
“Our Letters to Santa initiative gives children the joy of writing to the jolly man himself. Children can collect and post their letter at any of council’s libraries or UB’s Milk Bar Ipswich. Santa’s reply will be sent directly to their address.
“Markets with artisan, handcrafted and preloved items will be held at the Nicholas Street Precinct, Ipswich Showgrounds, Queen Street in Marburg, Brisbane Street in Ipswich Central and Main Street in Springfield Central, bringing joy to Christmas shopping.
“Rosewood Christmas Festival, Enchanted Christmas Twilight Event at Ipswich Showgrounds, Ipswich Community Gallery’s Off the Wall art exhibition and Frantic, Festive Frolics at Ipswich Civic Centre are among the other highlights of the program.”
For the full Christmas in Ipswich 2025 program, visit the Ipswich Festivals website.