Christmas In Ipswich lights up city
10 November 2021
North pole installations, suburban light wonderlands, letters to Santa, fleets of merry performers, spectacular community carols and so much more will pop-up across the city as part of this year’s Christmas in Ipswich celebrations.
Mayor Teresa Harding said the citywide celebrations included events and activities from Marburg to Springfield and every community in between.
“To grow the tradition set in recent years through Christmas Wonderland in Nerima Gardens, the centrepiece of celebrations in Ipswich shifts to our city’s revitalised urban heart, the Nicholas Street Precinct, which will be transformed into the St Nicholas Precinct,” Mayor Harding said.
“The precinct will be home to a dazzling array of lights and magical moments, part of a program of events, carnivals and carols that will transport the best of the north pole to suburbs across Ipswich.
“Festivities will include the magical lighting of the city’s Christmas tree in d’Arcy Doyle Place and the Santa On Tour fleet that will cruise through a suburb near you, and finish with a bang with New Year’s Eve fireworks lighting up the skies in several locations.”
Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee chairperson Councillor Andrew Fechner said there will be more than two-dozen free and low-cost events for the community to come together in goodwill and joy.
“There is a festive feast of community events planned including the Lions Street Carnival in Rosewood, a Christmas lights fun run starting in Limestone Park, and Marburg’s Queen Street will host the Christmas Carnival and Scenic Soul Christmas Market,” Cr Fechner said.
“For those who love Christmas carols, homegrown musicians, local choristers and orchestras will perform special festive sing-alongs in Brassall, Redbank Plains, Robelle Domain, South Ripley, St Paul’s Anglican Church and Mega Christmas Carols in Chuwar.
“Make sure you also dig out your festive lights and decorations and enter your very own suburban wonderland in the Ipswich Christmas Lights Competition. Entry is free and you could win up to $1,000 for your merry display.
“There really is something for everyone, so check out the whole program and start planning your festive outings at ChristmasInIpswich.com
“And don’t forget to visit your local library to write and post your letter to Santa and Mrs Claus!”
Mayor Harding said families can farewell 2021 locally at fireworks and all-ages New Year’s Eve events across the city, including the Countdown with Colour at the Tivoli Drive In at Chuwar.
“On the final night of 2021, I encourage all residents to turn their heads towards the skies above Ipswich at 9pm when fireworks will launch across the region,” Mayor Harding said.
A list of locations and further information about fireworks sites will be released closer to New Year’s Eve. For the full program and to learn more about what festive events and activities are planned near you, visit ChristmasInIpswich.com.au
Program Overview - visit ChristmasInIpswich.com.au for the full list of events, all ticketing and information.
Letters to Santa - all Ipswich Libraries Branches
30 November to 16 December
Visit any Ipswich libraries branch to write and post your letter to Santa. Get in quick to give Santa enough time to respond between wrapping presents. Then join Mr and Mrs Claus and other North Pole Pals via Zoom as they share Christmas stories, carols and a selection of handwritten letters from the children of Ipswich from 11am on Friday 17 December.
Christmas Lights Competition
Entries close 9am 29 November | online voting open 2 to 6 December
Dig out your Christmas lights and decorations as entries are now open for the city of Ipswich Christmas Lights Competition. Entry is free, quick and easy, and entrants can win a share in over $8,000 worth of cash and prizes. A full list of addresses for voting will be available from 2 December.
Categories include Best Residential, Best Business/Organisation, Best Street, People’s Choice, Best New Entry and Best Sustainable Display. For tips and tricks for making your own suburban light wonderland as well as more information about the competition, visit ChristmasInIpswich.com.au
City Christmas Tree - d’Arcy Doyle Place
From 3 December
In the lead-up to Christmas, a visit into the heart of Ipswich Central isn’t complete without stopping by the city’s Christmas Tree in d’Arcy Doyle Place. Watch the lights and tree come to life when the lights are switched on 6:30pm Friday 3 December.
St Nicholas Precinct - Nicholas Street Precinct
6:30pm to 9:30pm, 10 to 19 December
A spectacular immersive display and larger-than-life installations will transform the Nicholas Street Precinct into the St Nicholas Precinct as the centrepiece of Christmas in Ipswich celebrations. The free event will include a dazzling array of lights and colour, live entertainment, movies on the Tulmur Place big screen and yummy festive food.
Santa on Tour
10 to 12 and 17 to 19 December
He’s made his list and checked in twice. Now Santa and his band of merry performers will be cruising past Christmas lights and stopping at local parks and suburbs near you to spread joy and Christmas cheer. Stay tuned for location announcements on ChristmasInIpswich.com.au
Christmas Lights Tours
6pm to 9pm, 16 and 17 December
View a selection of the best displays in this year’s Christmas Lights Competition in air-conditioned comfort. The bus tour includes commentary from friendly guides, light supper and live entertainment. Spaces are limited and bookings essential - call 3281 0555 or email info@discoveripswich.com.au
Countdown with Colour - Tivoli Drive In, Chuwar
31 December
Join in the celebrations with colourful activities for the whole family while enjoying live music from Savvy, Fabulous Lemon Drops and other homegrown performers. There will be endless choices of food and drink to indulge in, then bring in the new year with fireworks and a special family film.
Community Christmas Carols
Brassall Christmas in the Park – Sutton Park
26 November
Bringing the local community together for Christmas, this spectacular live stage show features all local talent with a live 30-strong backed local orchestra. Entry from 5pm.
Redbank Community Plains Community Christmas Carols - Redbank Plains Bears Club
5 December
Come join in the fun at the Redbank Plains Community Carols with traditional Christmas carols, a special visit from Santa Claus and a spectacular firework finale. Make sure to check out food truck alley and the pre-event entertainment.
Springfield Carols at Robelle Domain - The Circle, Robelle Domain
11 December
The Domain will host a program full of talented performers - with many from the local community, a visit from Santa, a mesmerising nativity presentation and a fireworks finale. Bring your family, friends, best picnic rug and singing voice!
Mega Christmas Carols - 50 Coal Rd, Chuwar
11 December
Celebrate Christmas while enjoying a mega array of homegrown live performances, monstrous rides markets, kids’ activities, sideshow alleys, delicious food and more.
Christmas In Ipswich is delivered through the support of the following partners: Ripley Town Centre, Slater and Gordon Lawyers, Energex, Stockland Providence, River 94.9, 9News Queensland, NGU Real Estate Ipswich, Event Cinemas Springfield, Choices Flooring by Mallets, Harvey Norman Booval, Premier Queensland and Pocket Retreats.