Christmas in Ipswich brings good tidings of family fun this festive season
10 November 2023
The wrapping is off this year’s Christmas in Ipswich program, revealing a mix of magical light installations, community carols events, markets and a cinema under the stars to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas across the city.
“Just like Santa, we’ve made a list and we’ve checked it twice to deliver a Christmas in Ipswich program the entire city can enjoy,” Mayor Harding said.
“St Nicholas Precinct will again be the centrepiece, transforming Tulmur Place in the Nicholas Street Precinct from 8 December to 17 December into a spectacular light display filled with colour and magical moments.
“There will also be live entertainment, festive food and market stalls. Best of all, it’s free.
“On 24 November, the switch will be flicked on the lights on the City Christmas Tree in d’Arcy Doyle Place with the help of local carol singers and an early visit from Santa.
“Ipswich Libraries is again running its popular Letters to Santa program at all branches so our city’s littlest residents can write and post their wish-lists to Santa.
“The Christmas Lights Competition is now open for entries and Christmas Lights Tours will provide an opportunity to view some of our city’s best displays.
“An exciting new addition to this year’s program is Cinema Under the Stars. Over two nights, on 19 and 20 December, festive movies will be screened on the big screen in Tulmur Place in the Nicholas Street Precinct.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to gather the family and bring a blanket to enjoy fresh popcorn and have a picnic to remember.”
Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Fechner said there was no shortage of opportunities to celebrate across Ipswich this festive season.
“Christmas is all about community and this year’s program is full of local events and carols, from Brassall Christmas in the Park to the Springfield Night of the Light Carols, to the Marburg Community Carols Evening,” Cr Fechner said.
“There is also the Rosewood Christmas Festival and Ulysses Club Annual Ipswich Toy Run as well as several Christmas markets and up-late entertainment opportunities to enjoy.
“Two initiatives I am particularly pleased to see in this year’s program are priority viewing nights for our St Nicholas Precinct light installation for residents of aged care facilities and those with sensory needs.
“Ipswich is an inclusive community and we want as many people as possible to be able to celebrate and enjoy this year’s spectacular Christmas in Ipswich attractions and events.”
The Christmas in Ipswich program will finish with family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations at Tivoli Drive-In and fireworks at Springfield Central, South Ripley, Ipswich Central and Chuwar.
For the full program, visit Christmasinipswich.com.au
This year’s Christmas in Ipswich program is delivered with the support of the following partners: Nine News Queensland, Stockland Providence, Energex, River 94.9, STRUD Property, Pet Mince Direct, Event Cinemas Springfield, Premier Queensland, Harvey Norman Booval and Choices Flooring by Mallets Ipswich.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Letters to Santa – all Ipswich Libraries branches
Tuesday 21 November to Wednesday 13 December
Visit local Ipswich Libraries branches to write and post a letter to Santa. Get in quick to give Santa enough time to respond between wrapping presents.
City Christmas Tree lighting – d’Arcy Doyle Place
6.30pm for 6.45pm start, Friday 24 November
Join local carol singers and an early visit from Santa to help officially light the City Christmas Tree. Afterwards, be entertained by live music at Tunes in Tulmur featuring The OzTones in the Nicholas Street Precinct.
Christmas Lights Competition
Entries close 9am Monday 27 November
Dig out your Christmas lights and decorations. There are more than $8,000 prizes to be won. Entry is free, with all entrants also going into the draw to win one of four Pet Mince Direct vouchers. Voting for People’s Choice will be open from 1 to 4 December. A full list of displays will be available online from 30 November at Christmasinipswich.com.au
St Nicholas Precinct – Nicholas Street Precinct
6.30pm to 9.30pm, Friday 8 December to Sunday 17 December
Celebrate the wonder of Christmas as the city’s emerging city heart dazzles with a spectacular lighting installation. The Nicholas Precinct will transform into an experiential atmosphere of lights, colour and magical moments. Experience live entertainment, festive food and market stalls. Entry is free.
Christmas lights tours
6pm to 9pm, Friday 15 December and Saturday 16 December
View a selection of the best displays from this year’s Christmas Lights Competition in air-conditioned comfort. Enjoy a light supper with entertainment and surprise visitors during this magical Christmas adventure. Spaces are limited, bookings essential via Christmasinipswich.com.au
Cinema Under the Stars – Tulmur Place, Nicholas Street Precinct
Screening from 6.30pm, Tuesday 19 December and Wednesday 20 December
Celebrate Christmas week with a festive movie and freshly popped popcorn all under the starry night sky. Bring your blankets, gather your family and make it a movie picnic to remember.
Christmas carols and community events
From Brassall to Springfield to Marburg and Ripley, there are a range of community Christmas carols and community events planned across the city. For more information about these local events, visit Christmasinipswich.com.au
Christmas markets
If the perfect Christmas gift continues to elude you, there are several market events in the lead-up to Christmas to visit. For more information about these events, visit Christmasinipswich.com.au
New Year’s Eve celebrations – Tivoli Drive-In, Chuwar
3pm to 9pm, Sunday 31 December
Farewell 2023 in style at the Tivoli Drive-In’s New Year’s Eve festival. There will be a bustling marketplace, exciting on-stage performances and plenty of family-friendly fun. Book your tickets at Christmasinipswich.com.au
Fireworks – across the city
Turn your gaze towards the sky this New Year’s Eve. Fireworks will launch across the region in Springfield Central, South Ripley, Ipswich Central and Chuwar. For more information on the best viewing locations, visit Christmasinipswich.com.au