As the jolly man in the bright red suit is checking his list and preparing for his round trip from the North Pole, Canterbury Bankstown Council is helping locals get into the Christmas spirit.
Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said he was excited to ring in the holiday season with an impressive program of festive activities across the City.
“There’ll be lots to do for all the family,” the Mayor said.
“We’ll be kicking off the festivities with everyone’s favourite Christmas songs at Carols in the Park, followed a week later by our special lighting of the Christmas tree.
“And we’re thrilled to announce an exciting first for our City, with the unveiling of the new Christmas Village Markets.”
The village markets will transform Bankstown and Campsie city centres into a scene from your favourite holiday movie, while stalls selling festive food and gifts will line Paul Keating Park and ANZAC Mall and there’ll be plenty of free activities for the kids.
Christmas shoppers can get their presents sorted and have them gift-wrapped for a small gold coin donation, while the kids are entertained with a special visit from Santa and his Elf.
There’ll also be a number of free craft workshops, which adults and children can participate in and even make their own Christmas wreath.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to support small businesses and stallholders while ticking off the Christmas shopping list and having a fun night out,” Mayor El-Hayek said.
The 2023 Christmas program includes:
Christmas trees and lights activations – from Monday, November 20, at Bankstown, Belmore, Campsie, Chester Hill, Earlwood, Greenacre and Revesby;
Carols in the Park (sponsored by Bankstown Sports and Canterbury Bankstown Torch) – Wiley Park Amphitheatre, Wiley Park, on Saturday, December 2, 4-9.15pm;
Lighting of the Tree Ceremony – Thursday, December 7, 7.45-8.15pm, at Paul Keating Park, Bankstown;
Bankstown Christmas Village Markets – Thursday, December 7, 5.30-8.30pm at The Appian Way Forecourt, Bankstown;
Campsie Christmas Village Markets – Thursday, December 14, 5.30-8.30pm at Anzac Mall and Anzac Park, Campsie; and
Christmas Lights Competition – Competition opens from December 1-12, with voting commencing December 14-19.
The hunt will soon be on to find the most festive house in each of our City’s five wards, with a chance to win up to $500.
The Mayoral Christmas Toy and Hamper Drive will also help spread the Christmas cheer to families in need by collecting donations for local charitable and not-for-profit organisations.
Residents can drop off new and unwrapped children’s toys and items to Bankstown and Campsie Customer Service Centres and Bankstown and Campsie Libraries until Wednesday, December 13.
Details: cb.city/Christmas
