Greater Shepparton City Council is preparing to spread festive cheer with the launch of the Greater Shepparton Great Christmas Campaign. This exciting initiative aims to bring the community together, support local businesses, and transform the region into a vibrant holiday destination.
In Summary
- Greater Shepparton will dazzle with vibrant Christmas decorations across the region, with highlights including Santa statues, reindeer, gnomes, and large installations at Victoria Park Lake and Ferrari Park. A launch event on 7 December will feature free kids' activities and local food trucks.
- The campaign encourages shopping at local businesses, with a 92-page Local Gift Guide, festive recipes, and a chance to win a $1,500 shopping spree for spending $50 or more. Gift wrapping and live music will add to the festive shopping experience.
- Santa and his elves will spread cheer with pop-up Christmas-themed events, crafts, games and photo opportunities across Greater Shepparton throughout December, complemented by Santa's Mailbox for children's letters.
- Mayor Cr Shane Sali highlights the campaign's focus on bringing families together, supporting local businesses, and creating a joyful holiday experience for residents and visitors alike.
The campaign, running throughout December, features three main elements:
Festive Decorations and Celebrations
Greater Shepparton's streets and public spaces will dazzle with vibrant decorations, including a variety of Santa statues in Toolamba, Murchison, and Dookie; a 'Selfie Elfie' in Merrigum; reindeer in Tallygaroopna; gnome statues in Katandra West; LED stars in Mooroopna, and an aluminium Christmas tree in Tatura.
Additions to this year's decorations include large decorations being installed at Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton and Ferrari Park, Mooroopna in the first week of December.
There will be a launch event at Victoria Park Lake on Saturday 7 December from 7.00pm to 9.00pm to showcase the completed decorations to the public. Community are encourgaed to visit Greater Shepparton decorations and events with a trail map provided of what's on in the municipality.
The activation event for the Shepparton decorations will also include free kids christmas activites delivered by 'Activites in the Park' alongisde local food trucks.
Shop Local
Residents and visitors are encouraged to explore the unique offerings of Greater Shepparton's local businesses. To make shopping even more exciting, Council has collaborated with McPherson Media Group to produce the 'Local Gift Guide'.
The 92-page guide was distributed in the Shepparton News on Friday 29 November. It is packed with festive recipes, Christmas crafts, decorating tips, and a letter to Santa for the kids.
The guide also highlights over 90 participating stores where shoppers spending $50 or more can enter the draw to win a $1,500 shopping spree at I Love This Shop, by filling in an entry coupon in store or on the website.
Community gift wrapping will also be available in the Shepparton City Central Arcade from 11 to 24 December, between 10am and 4pm. Community groups are engaged to provide this service for a gold coin donation.
Adding to the festive spirit, live music will be performed on the Maude Street Precinct stage on Sundays in December and Saturdays in January from 10am to 1pm.
Santa on the Move Pop-Up Activations
A series of mobile Christmas themed events, Santa and his elves will be travelling to various locations across Greater Shepparton throughout December, spreading holiday magic with pop-up activities including crafts, games, face painting, and photo opportunities.
Families can follow the festive trail map available on the Greater Shepparton Great Christmas webpage to join the fun and capture their own Santa photos or 'Elfie selfies'.
As part of the festivities, Santa's Mailbox will return to the Wyndham Street Post Office, where children can post letters. This initiative will be available until Christmas Day.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, spoke highly of the campaign, with so many fun activities for families to enjoy while shopping local.
"The Great Christmas Campaign is a fantastic way to celebrate the holiday season and support our local businesses," he said.
"There's something for everyone to enjoy, and we look forward to seeing families and visitors join in the festivities."
To keep up to date with what is happening throughout December, visit https://christmas.greatthings.com.au/
