A Spectacular Christmas Celebration is coming to the Southern Grampian

Published on 18 November 2024

The annual St Mary’s Christmas Parade will take over Hamilton on Friday 6 December 2024 with late night trading open for Christmas shopping. Starting at 6:00pm, the parade will march through the heart of the Hamilton CBD, along Gray Street and Brown Street before finishing in front of the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre.

The streets will be closed to traffic until 9pm, allowing pedestrians to move around freely and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

“This year we are looking to not only support the St Mary’s Christmas Parade which we know is a season highlight but also get local businesses involved and help facilitate late night shopping to make the most of the parade crowd,” said Southern Grampians Shire Council CEO Tony Doyle.

“Council will waive permit fees associated with street stalls to encourage our businesses for evening trading which can be enjoyed by the whole community.

“Christmas is the perfect opportunity to get behind our stores and shop wherever possible, locally. It’s not only positive for our local businesses, but it’s good for the economy and good for our community. If there was a present under every tree that has been bought in our Shire, that would go a long way to supporting the fantastic businesses we have here in the Southern Grampians as we are really blessed with a great variety of options across the shire.”

Businesses are invited to take part in late-night trading by bringing stalls out onto the streets at the conclusion of the parade without permits or fees required.

“To add to the festive atmosphere, extended shopping hours mean shoppers can take full advantage of the night to hunt for the perfect gift or simply soak up the Christmas cheer.

“So bring the family and be part of a night that promises to be a lot of fun for the community. Let’s help make the St Mary’s Christmas Parade, the shopping, the atmosphere and the friendly faces light up Hamilton like never before,” concluded Mr Doyle.

Close friend of Council, Santa Clause, will also make an appearance as the guest of honour, roaming the streets to spread holiday joy and give his best wishes to children and families. Meanwhile, the lively sounds of local talent will fill the air as the annual Busking Competition adds festive tunes to the evening.

For more information, contact Southern Grampians Shire Council at 03 5573 0444 or visit Home Southern Grampians Shire Council (sthgrampians.vic.gov.au).

The sleighbells are ringing, and the prawns are defrosting because Christmas is coming to the Southern Grampians.

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