In the words of the great Michael Bublé, “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”.
The iconic Geelong floating Christmas tree is officially back on show at the Geelong Waterfront for the start of a new festive season.
The world-class silver structure has carefully been towed into place this week, marking its ninth year in the bay. The tree will be lit up on Saturday, November 12 with a huge opening program to mark the beginning of the city’s annual Christmas celebrations, complete with a stage show, roving performers, live entertainment and more.
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Courtesy of Darryn Lyons, the infamous 25-metre structure debuted back in 2014 and has since given locals a spot to spend their nights leading up to Christmas, watching the light show synchronised to music and delighting people of all ages. Not only bringing our community together and spreading that festive spirit, but the structure has attracted an attendance of around in excess of 1.6 million people prior to 2020, with that number only increasing since.
Tipped to be the ‘best and biggest Christmas in Geelong program to date’, the Floating Christmas tree opening celebrations will go ahead on a Saturday night for the first time, in a bid to allow more families and visitors from outside the region to enjoy the festivities and boost Geelong’s economy.
Renowned performers, Taylor Henderson and Denis Walter will headline the launch of our Christmas in Geelong program, which also features Angie Hilton and dancers will bring the Christmas groove, Kate Daley and Steve Hobbs will serenade you with some all-time favourite Christmas tunes and Geelong’s own ‘piano man’, Andy Pobjoy will accompany Shandelle Cooke to get you into the festive spirit.
Roving entertainment kicks off at Steampacket Quay at 5.30pm ahead of a two-hour stage show commencing at 7pm with a Wadawurrung Welcome to Country and performance opening the show.
At 9pm, one of Geelong’s lucky young residents will line-up alongside Santa to flick the switch that will turn on the famous Floating Christmas Tree and trigger a pyrotechnic display too.
The celebrations will continue up at City Hall from 9:30pm with the annual Christmas Projections also being turned on for the first time.
The popular community event is back for the first time since 2018, after the celebrations were rained out in 2019 and cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The iconic floating Christmas tree is just one piece of this year’s expanded program of free Christmas events and activities across the region. The anticipated Christmas program will also include School Christmas Trees, Festive street entertainment, Santa’s Letterbox, a Giant Christmas Selfie Trail, Santa pet photos, Christmas masterclasses and more.
Visit the Geelong Christmas website here.
