Looking for something festive to do in the lead up to Christmas? Here’s your local guide to the 12 Most Festive Things To Do in the last 12 days before Santa visits!
1. Shop for your Christmas tree at Tarrington Trees
Kick start the festivities by taking care of the Christmas tree! If you haven’t already got this sorted don’t worry because there are still plenty of trees available at Tarrington Trees, situated along the Hamilton Highway. Not even a minute down the road from Café Catalpa, this 10-acre Christmas tree farm allows you to wander through the beautifully grown rows upon rows of Christmas trees. Pick your favourite, tag it, take it home then and there or come back to collect it when the tinsel is ready and waiting.
2. Follow the Christmas Light Trail
Stay tuned on our Facebook page to get first access to this year’s Christmas Light Map created by the team at @visitgreaterhamilton. Hit up all the Hamilton hotspots and check out some of the best light displays going around! This map will take you here, there and everywhere making sure you know exactly where to go to get your fix of twinkly stars and inflatable reindeers this festive season.
3. Watch the Christmas Tree Light Show
Rock your way around Hamilton’s epic Christmas tree this year with a brand new sound and light show that repeats every 15 minutes nightly 9pm – 11pm and on Saturdays from 9am-2pm! Featuring the classic tunes of popular Christmas jingles and a splash of all time classics, this year’s tree is sure to get you up off your feet and rocking around the Christmas tree. Thanks to Southern Grampians Shire Council and the Hamilton PAC for creating this masterpiece!
📷: Southern Grampians Shire Council via FB
4. Find Rudolf’s Friends
To all the kids (and kids at heart), Rudolph needs your help! Poor Rudolph has managed to lose all his reindeer friends around Hamilton and is counting on you to help find them! To be involved in this important mission, listen to the Storytowns App and follow the footprints on our CBD shop windows to find all of Rudolf’s crew. Doing so will put you in the draw to win some incredible prizes thanks to the Hamilton Regional Business Association!
5. Find the Hay Bale Art in Tarrington
Have you spotted the Hay Bale art in Tarrington yet? Local families have whipped up over 20 creations which you can view from the comfort of your car. Take a stroll to spot Santa’s big black boots sticking out of a fireplace chimney or say hello to the Australian native animals that have re-enacted the nativity of Jesus. There are a few hilarious COVID-themed ones this year too!
📷: Hello! Tarrington via FB
6. Check out the Coleraine Christmas Carnival
Enjoy a COVID safe event in the heart of Coleraine at this year’s Christmas Carnival on December 18th! Start the evening with a wander down the main street, look in at the decorated shop windows full of festive cheer and find yourself a letter, where a Christmas message is written within. The fun then continues on to Silvester Oval where numbered sites will correspond with a number given at registration – so don’t forget the picnic rug! From here enjoy the dulcet tones of busker, Michael Cameron, a sausage sizzle and fun activities for children to enjoy. You can also expect a visit from a very special guest, who will be driven around the perimeter of the oval, stopping frequently for photo opportunities of Santa himself with your little one.
7. Post letters to Santa at Hamilton Post Office
Haven’t written your letter to Santa yet? There’s still time! Especially with the incredibly hard working team at the Hamilton Post Office! They’ll take your letter to Santa and work their special magic to make sure it gets to him on time, and if you can’t make it to the post office, any red post box around Greater Hamilton will do the trick!
8. Spot the Santa’s around Dunkeld
Rumour has it that there are Santa’s hidden all around Dunkeld waiting to be discovered! Stroll to the stunning Dunkeld Arboretum and you might even find a team rowing on the water!
9. Get all your shopping done with a little help from our Christmas Guide
This year we’ve tried to make Christmas shopping for you easy. Check out our blog about Christmas Shopping in Greater Hamilton and tick everyone off your list, all whilst shopping local and supporting the community!
10. Visit Network Video to rent your favourite Christmas flick
Network Video located on Thompson Street is the perfect one stop shop for any DVDs, CDs, T-Shirts, Movie Merchandise and Collectables. Rent out your favourite Christmas flick or purchase one to keep. Make the most of your movie night by indulging in some of the classic movie snacks available for purchase at the counter, selling everything from slush puppies to candy bars – everything you need to have the best movie marathon this holiday season.
📷: @monty_thecavapoo via IG[/caption]
11. Listen to Greater Hamilton Library’s festive Story Time
Discover a very special guest as part of the Greater Hamilton Library’s online Story Time sessions! Posted on their Facebook page, the Hamilton Library have treated the community to many stories over the year, but this month a particular gift–giver in a red suit reads a very Australian story you and the kids can watch online any time!
12. Attend a Christmas Eve Church Service
With many churches hosting their traditional Christmas Eve Mass either online or in church, this year more than ever, this much loved and jubilant celebration gives the support and strength many in the community may be needing this year. Attend a service and support your local parish this Christmas Eve or attend a service on Christmas Day or in the days leading up to it.
Got a festive activity idea to add to our list? Let us know!
Use #inspiredbylocals on social to share it with us @visitgreaterhamilton, and have a very Merry Christmas throughout the Southern Grampians!
