Council supporting regional festive celebrations

From carols to morning teas, movie nights to lolly drops and everything in between – the Mackay region will be buzzing with festive fun.

Christmas Grants were awarded to 13 exciting events and Mackay City Band was also supported to perform at a number of community carols and Christmas events, like the 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 included:

• McEwens Beach Christmas event – Saturday, November 18, from 5pm to 7pm at Reg Jones Park, McEwens Beach
• Balnagowan Christmas event – Saturday, November 25, from 2pm to 7pm at 192 Pleystowe Connection Road, Balnagowan.
• St Helens Beach Christmas Lights Competition – Friday, December 1, to Thursday, December 14, at St Helens Beach.
• Armstrong Beach Progress Association Christmas event – Saturday, December 2, from 4pm to 8pm at Llewellyn Hall, 681 Armstrong Beach.
• Calen Christmas event – Saturday, December 2, from 5.30pm to 9pm at Calen District State College, McIntyre Street.
• Mackay Northern Beaches Neighbourhood Watch Christmas event – Friday, December 8, from 5pm to 8pm at Shoal Point Park, Obrien Esplanade
• Beachside Family Christmas – Saturday, December 9, from 3pm at Grasstree Beach, The Esplanade
• Midge Point Christmas Event – Saturday, December 9, from 3pm to dusk at Nielsen Parade, Midge Point
• Mackay Aeroclub Christmas party – Friday, December 15, from 4.30pm at 1 Casey Avenue, South Mackay
• Sarina Beach Christmas Fair – Thursday, December 14, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Sarina Beach, Owen Jenkins Drive
• Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club Carols by Candlelight – Sunday, December 16, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Sarina Beach, Owen Jenkins Drive
• Habana Carols Under the Stars – Saturday, December 23, from 7pm to 9.30pm at Habana Community Hub, 1091 Mackay-Habana Road

Council is also supporting the following events:

City Heart Christmas
Friday, December 1, from 4pm to 8pm
Mackay City Centre 
Check out the Fifth Lane Christmas Markets and join in the City Heart scavenger hunt. There will be late-night shopping, kids' activities, face painting, Christmas craft and games, carollers, live music and the jolly man in the red suit will even make a visit.Click here for more details.

Carols in the Gardens
Saturday, December 2, from 4.30pm (carols start at 6.30pm)
Meadowlands Amphitheatre, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens 
Get into the Christmas spirit at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens. Carols will kick off at 6.30pm. Gates open at 4.30pm, so come down and secure your spot and enjoy the free kids' activities on offer. There will also be plenty of food vendors to grab a bite to eat.Click here for more details.