The Floating Christmas Tree is back in the bay in Geelong, ready to celebrate its tenth year of bringing Christmas cheer.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and in Geelong it’s signalled by a 25 metres tall, 10,000 stainless steel panelled floating cone that pops up in Corio Bay between Cunningham Pier and the Carousel. That’s right – the infamous Floating Christmas Tree, the legacy of former mayor Darryn Lyons, has made its voyage back into its waterfront home for the next month, ready to have its 800+ lights, 15,000 pixels and 30 digital windows illuminated this weekend.
Christmas Opening Night – Floating Christmas Tree
- Where: Geelong Waterfront, Steampacket Gardens, Eastern Beach Road, Geelong
- When: Saturday 30 November, from 6.30pm
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Celebrating a major milestone as the Floating Christmas Tree celebrates its tenth year, the grand opening celebrations and flicking of the light switch will happen this weekend on Saturday 30 November with major music moments and festive gatherings to add to the waterfront illumination.
Here are things you should know to prepare for the Christmas Opening Night and Floating Christmas Tree arrival.
Entertainment
With the Christmas Opening Night kicking off from 6.30pm along the Steampacket Gardens area and stretching across to Cunningham Pier, the main stage will be setup for a performance from Team Dream from 7.15pm.
From 8pm as the sun starts to set across the bay, the main event will power on with Denis Walter taking to the stage to sing favourite Christmas carols. The show includes appearances from Julie Walter, Oz Boyz and Lucy Riddett.
Santa will make an appearance and get our younger community members into the Christmas spirit. The event will be carefully guided by Michael Cristiano, a skilled veteran musical director who has worked with Australian and international acts, including The Seekers.
At 9.15pm, this special night will culminate with the lighting of our spectacular Floating Christmas Tree as it turns 10 years old. One lucky child will have the chance to flick the switch and ignite low-level pyrotechnics and the Floating Christmas Tree’s first sound and light show. The show will run every 15 minutes until midnight. It will be lighting up the bay each night until Christmas.
Road Closures
In preparation for the major event, Western Beach and Eastern Beach roads will be closed to vehicles between Cunningham and Yarra streets from 4pm on Saturday. Moorabool Street will also close between Eastern Beach Road and Brougham Street at this time. These areas will reopen from 11pm or when it is safe to do so.
Emergency access will be maintained at all times during the event.
Accessible parking will be available on Eastern Beach Rd, between Yarra and Bellarine streets.
Free parking is available at Westfield Geelong’s yellow lower ground carpark on Brougham Street if drivers enter after 6pm. The carpark entrance will remain open until 8pm when the main event begins, and the exit will close at 10:30pm.
There will be no public parking available in the following locations on Saturday 30 November:
- Busport Car Park – 8am to midnight
- Western Beach and Eastern Beach roads between Cunningham Street to Yarra Street – 3pm to 11pm
- Moorabool Street between Eastern Beach Road and Brougham Street – 3pm to 11pm
If the weather allows for it, a great option is to walk in from Rippleside Park along the waterfront-running bike and walking path.
Weather Forecast
The weather is currently forecast to be a top of 22 degrees with a very high chance of showers, the chance of a thunderstorm and the possibility of heavy falls. Winds will be southeasterly at 20 to 30 km/h shifting west to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the evening. Bring a raincoat and umbrella!
Fireworks and Pyrotechnics
The lighting of the Floating Christmas Tree is elevated with fireworks and pyrotechnics. From 9.15pm, there will be low-level pyrotechnics lasting two minutes. The City of Greater Geelong recommend community members bring their pets indoors or keep them in a secure location on the night, to keep them safe.
Christmas Activities in Geelong
The opening night adds to a spirited program of events taking place in Geelong for the festive season including activities for all ages from decorations to workshops across December. A full list of programs can be found here.
Further information on the Christmas Opening Night with the Floating Christmas Tree can be found via the City of Greater Geelong website here.
