Townsville will be aglow with festive cheer as Mayor Nick Dametto switches on the city's Christmas lights tonight.
The Strand and Riverway's Christmas trees have been trimmed with baubles and bulbs and the city's streets have been decked with festive flags designed by 10 talented Townsville children ahead of tonight's lighting of the city.
Cr Dametto said the lights across the city, including along the iconic Victoria Bridge, was the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season.
"Council's elves have been hard at work getting Townsville ready for the start of Christmas. Carpenters, electricians and maintenance crews have been working away to make sure Townsville shines in time for the silly season," he said.
"From 6.30pm tonight, our Christmas trees at The Strand and Riverway will light up in sync with Flinders Street and Victoria Bridge. I'm looking forward to seeing the city awash in the glow of Christmas, and hopefully the same excitement for the festive season spreads across the suburbs. Our lights are on – are yours?"
Cr Dametto said this was one of the first steps in getting the city ready for a tropical Townsville Christmas.
"Council will be hosting Carols by Candlelight this Sunday to give locals and visitors the chance to enjoy a stellar family-friendly show – and even meet Santa," he said.
"Council recently announced free 2P parking is back in the city centre for the whole of December, and 25 brilliant local organisations have been named recipients of Council's Christmas Together in the Community grant funding to bring their communities together this Christmas.
"The Mayor's Christmas Appeal is also proudly helping local families and individuals in need. This year the appeal is supporting Northreach Community Care and I'd love to see the city support the appeal this Christmas.
"Getting involved is easy – you can make a donation online or donate food hampers and non-perishable foods to Northreach Baptist Church in Kirwan."
Townsville's Christmas lights will be lit at 6:30pm tonight.
