It’s the happiest season of all and it’s time to sprinkle some extra holiday cheer into your festivities!
This year, we’re taking some inspiration from one of our favourite carols, “Twelve Days of Christmas”; coming up with 12 magnificent ways to make the lead up to Christmas more festively fabulous! Read on to unwrap a treasure trove of 12 enchanting experiences and must-see attractions throughout Greater Hamilton that will light up your days with joy and wonder!
1) Hamilton Christmas Busking Showdown
Get ready to groove and be dazzled at the month-long “Hamilton CBD Busking Competition!” Experience a symphony of vibrant sounds and jaw-dropping performances from our region’s top talents. As you soak in the eclectic acts, remember to show some love by scanning their QR Codes to cast your vote for your favourite performers!
2) Rock around the Hamilton Christmas Tree
Jingle all the way with the newly adorned Hamilton Christmas tree! This year, it’s sparkling brighter than ever with SIX brand-new songs that will fill the air with festive cheer! The sound and light spectacle kicks off daily at 6 PM and keeps the holiday magic alive until 11 PM!
3) Say haay to some Haybale Art
Jump in the car and buckle up for some seriously festive fun in Tarrington where front yards, paddocks and grassy knolls are besieged with a unique and creative art form, hay bale art!
4) Light up your nights with the Christmas Lights Map
Immerse yourself in some enchanting nighttime magic! Grab our Christmas Lights Map and embark on a sparkling adventure through our streets. Download the map HERE, or pop into the Hamilton Visitor Information Centre or Council’s customer service on Brown Street to get a printed copy.
5) Snap a photo with Santa at Santa’s Wonderland
Bring along your wish list and your brightest smile to Santa’s Wonderland in the HUB where Santa himself will be waiting to snap a photo and hear all your holiday wishes. For dates and times, click here!
6) Markets, markets and more markets!
There are markets galore for the month of December and they are the perfect place to get those uniquely hand-crafted Christmas gift goodies. There’s Hamilton Makers Market open daily until Christmas Eve in the HUB Hamilton; HIRL’s final Farmers Market for 2024 on Saturday December 14th (9am – 12pm), the Bizarre Bazaar Dunkeld Christmas Market on December 15th at Off the Rails Gallery (1pm – 4pm) and the Penshurst Farmers Market also on December 15th (9am – 1pm).
7) Bring home the holiday spirit with Tarrington Trees
Bring the Christmas cheer home with you after visiting Tarrington Trees where you can pick the most perfect real Christmas tree to adorn your living room!
8) Experience Santa Mail Magic at Australia Post
Ever wanted to post a letter direct to Santa? Well, you can! Simply bring your carefully crafted letter to your local Australia Post Office before 24 December and you’ll receive a special gift along with Santa’s reply right then and there! (While supplies last).
9) Dash away to a sleigh full of festive events
There’s a sleigh full of events heading this way! There’s Dasher (St Mary’s Parade, Dec 6th) and Dancer (Yulecart Community Christmas Gathering, Dec 8th) and Prancer (Hamilton Singers Concert, Dec 8th) and Vixen (Rejoice and Be Merry, Dec 9th), Comet (Party With The Ponies, Dec 10th) and Cupid (Coleraine Community Christmas Party, Dec 13th) and Donner (Carols By Candlelight, Dec 14th) and Blitzen (ACC Baroque Christmas, Dec 14th)! And Rudolph! (Carols in Cavendish, Dec 24th).
10) Empty out the shops and fill your pockets!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at MixxFM with their biggest competition yet! Over six exciting weeks, 300 winners will unwrap varying cash prizes to bring a little extra joy and holiday spirit just in time for Christmas! Simply shop local and scan the affiliated QR code in participating stores for your chance to win.
11 ) Shop window wonderlands need your vote!
The Hamilton CBD is sparkling with holiday cheer after local businesses created dazzling prize-winning window displays! Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to join in the merriment by voting for their favorite displays before December 19th. To cast your vote, click here!
12 ) IT’S CHRISTMAS DAY
As the saying goes… “save the best till last” and Christmas Day surely is the best ‘thing to do and experience’ of all on this list! We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones.
For those travelling on Christmas Day or setting off on your holiday please drive safely on the roads this year. Ensure you are well rested and break your journey every two hours.
Accredited Visitor Information Centres are your go to stop when traveling. They have various activations, clean toilets, free maps and the best local secrets. With more than 60 across the state please call in and say hello-ho-ho!
Thank you for being part of our community. Happy Holidays!
