Christmas cheer spreads across the region thanks to cash splash

Published: 10 Nov 2022

Council have kicked in $7750 to boost festive celebrations in regional areas like Dows Creek, Eungella, Finch Hatton, Habana, Calen and Sarina.

From carols to community barbecues, movie nights to festive markets and everything in between – the Mackay region will be buzzing with festive fun.

As well as 10 exciting events, Mackay City Band received a $750 grant to perform at a number of community carols and Christmas events like the Rotary Christmas Fair, Habana carols and various retirement village performances.

To qualify for the grants, applicants needed to be not-for-profit organisations and the celebrations had to be open and welcoming to everyone.

Events supported include:

  • Mackay Baptist Church's free community Christmas carols event at Mackay Central State School on Sunday, November 27.
  • Finch Hatton Progress Association's community Christmas gathering barbecue including Christmas craft for kids, festive light displays and tree on Wednesday, December 7, at Finch Hatton Park from 4pm to 8pm.
  • The Neighbourhood Hub Christmas movie night at either the MECC precinct or Jubilee Park grounds on Saturday, December 17, from 6.30pm to 9pm.
  • Mackay Riverside Market with live music, Santa and a Christmas cookie decoration workshop at the Bluewater Quay on Thursday, December 15, from 3pm to 7pm.
  • Eungella Community Development Association’s Christmas party for members and families at the Eungella Community Hall on Saturday, December 10.
  • Habana and Districts Progress Association’s Carols under the Stars on Saturday, December 17, starting at 7pm. They will also have Christmas tree decorations and crib set-up on Sunday, November 27, from 7.30am.
  • Mackay Northern Beaches Neighbourhood Watch will host a Community Christmas Party with barbecue, music (ukulele group) and visit from Santa at Shoal Point Park on Friday, December 9, at 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
  • Calen District War Memorial Hall Association is running a Christmas party with Santa, a bar, barbecue, mini cent sale, free face painting and live music at the Calen District State College on Saturday, December 3, from 6pm to 9pm.
  • Dows Creek Hall Committee Inc will have a community Christmas fun afternoon with Christmas Carols Under the Stars with local children in the choir. There will also be children and adult games, water slides, barbecue, snacks and sweets, movie night and a ham wheel. To be held at Dows Creek Hall on Sunday, December 11, from 2pm to 9pm.
  • The Mackay Presbyterian Church will run an event including Christmas craft stations, a petting zoo, a sausage sizzle and non-alcoholic drinks, followed by a Christmas concert at the Sarina Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 4, from 2pm to 5pm, with the concert to run from 5.30pm to 7pm.

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens along with Star 101.9 will also be hosting Carols in the Gardens on Saturday, December 3, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, at the Meadowlands Amphitheatre.

This year’s event is a combination of Carols in the City and Christmas in the Gardens.

There will be an amusement area and a variety of food stalls to enjoy. Residents are welcome to bring chairs or a blanket and enjoy a picnic.

As the event is being held in the Botanic Gardens, this is an alcohol-free event.