Christmas 2024 & New Year 2025 Celebrations in the Central Goldfields

Light Up Talbot

Come along on Friday 29th November to the annual Light Up Talbot Christmas Festival and join in a friendly festive atmosphere.

There'll be a community BBQ and food vendors.

See the Christmas Lights and effects get turned on, and they'll be on show every night throughout the festive season.

5pm: Welcome to Country, Primary School Choirs, Talbot Primary School, Maryborough Education Centre.

• Street Food & Drink from 5pm: Community BBQ, Masala Valley, Luigi's Gelato, Amherst Winery, Cori Catering, Bean Me Up Coffee, Stroopwafels and Chai

5.45pm: Cirque Mystique's, Elf Twinketoes, Silly Christmas Circus

6.30pm: Brothers Bishop Band

7.30pm: Ballarat vocal Studio

8.40pm: Cirque Mystique's Solo Fire Spectacular

9.00pm: Back Creek Band

• Lighting: Ballarat Street, Heales Street, Camp Street, Market Square, Scandinavian Crescent Community Garden.

Local Shopping Christmas Promotions

The Maryborough District Advertiser are supporting our local retailers with the Christmas Shopping Promotion, with almost 70 businesses participating in it's biggest year yet.

Pop into the participating retailers and make a purchase, then go into the weekly draw to win your prize.

A great initiative supporting our local businesses.

Carisbrook Christmas Market

Head to Carisbrook to celebrate the spirit of Christmas kicking off from 3pm Saturday 7th December at the Maryborough Harness Racing Complex.

There'll be a variety of stalls, food vans, jumping castle, face painting and balloon girl, as well as the Lion's Mini Train.

This is an alcohol-free event.

Carols By Candlelight

Come along and enjoy a festive evening and be entertained with local talented vocalists and musicians performing your favorite Christmas carols at Station Domain.

Embrace the festive atmosphere from 6pm Saturday 14th December. 

Food vans will be available.

Christmas Dining Options

If you're wanting to dine out with your family or friends on Christmas Day then here's some great venues on offer:

• Maryborough Highland Society
• The Station Cafe Restaurant Bar

Bookings essential.

Meet Santa at the Talbot Farmer's Market

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TALBOT FARMERS MARKET! Bring the family!
Santa is having a nap to prepare for his grand appearance at the Farmers Market.

• Sunday, December 15! Come and wake him up and have your photo taken with Santa
• at Market Square between 10.30am - 12.30pm (BYO Camera/Phone).

Christmas Race Day

The Maryborough Harness Racing Club offer the opportunity enjoy a day of live harness racing in a festive atmosphere with a 2/3 Course Traditional Christmas Lunch available from the bistro.

Santa will be onsite, and you'll enjoy live music from local band "Classic Rewind".

The perfect location for your family get together or business function.

Bookings: HERE

Celebrate Christmas with the Salvos' Carols on the Oval

Come and celebrate the joy of Christmas with a barbecue, giant games and activities, face painting and lots of Christmas carols at our Carols on the Oval.

When:
Saturday 24th December
3:30pm BBQ & Activities
5pm Carols FT Central Vic Salvos Brass Band

Where:
Maryborough Salvos
27 Wills Street, Maryborough

BYO snacks, drinks, picnic rug &/or chair.

BBQ and all activities are free, however, a donation to support our Christmas Appeal will be appreciated.

Drinks available to purchase, please note this is an alcohol-free event.

Community Christmas Party

You don't need to be alone at Christmas.

Once again the Carisbrook Lions Club are inviting you to celebrate Christmas with them and join in the festivities with a free traditional Christmas meal provided.

On Christmas Day Monday 25th December from 11am, at the Maryborough Trotting Complex.

If you have no way of travelling out, the Carisbrook Lions Club have a bus pick up, starting from 10am.

Bookings are essential via the Visitor Information Centre: 5460 4511.

New Year's Eve Party At Station Domain

Everyone is welcome to attend New Year's Eve at the Domain, to welcome in the new year in style from 6pm to midnight.

Join in fun night of entertainment for the whole family and all ages.

BBQ and drinks (gold coin donation), live music, and food vans in attendance.

Free activities, Parkers Mini Circus, Laughing Clowns, raffle draws.

Come and see Elmo, Scooby Doo, Mickey & Minnie Mouse.

New Year's Eve Entertainment

If you're looking for a great night of entertainment on New Year's Eve, then we have an excellent variety of talent, to help you celebrate the new year.

• Bull and Mouth Hotel: Dining and DJ Keith
• Maryborough Highland Society: Dining and live music with the "Alexi Cola" and Pipe Band.
• The Station Cafe Restaurant & Bar: Dining with the Piano Bar Performer Rohan Windle.

The Maryborough Highland Gathering + Concert + Fireworks

The 162nd Maryborough Highland Gathering holds a long and proud history, with gold-rush origins that date back over 150 years. Formed by Scottish prospectors and businessmen who wanted to organized an event to re-create their traditional New Year Highland celebrations in their adopted land.

This iconic event is Australia's oldest continuous sporting event.

• Street March at 10.00 am.

• Highland Pipe Bands and Brass Bands on display

• Max Martin Memorial 120 metre Maryborough Gift 

• Sheaf Tossing for height and accuracy

• Highland Dancing (two Stands)

• Athletics - Men’s and Women’s events (70 metres to 1500 metres)

• Local and Inter State competitors

• Bookmakers on Athletics and Racing

• Massed Highland Dancers

• Girl on the Drum spectacular

• Massed Highland Bands

• Highland Games and Caber Tossing

• Sideshows and novelties

• Pipe and Brass Bands on oval renditions

• Strong Man events

• Most appropriately dressed male and female patrons with Scottish theme

• Sideshows Ample catering

• Evening concert and fireworks display

• Comprehensive Program - Lucky prizes

• Reasonable admission prices

• Picturesque venue