Whyalla's Christmas on the Avenue returns
September 26, 2024.
The annual Christmas on the Avenue event is set to return to Whyalla on Saturday 14 December, with a fun-filled day of Christmas festivities! The day will begin with the GFG Alliance Christmas Pageant on Nicolson Avenue before the festivities continue in Civic Park with an After Pageant Fair and the annual Community Christmas Carols event, promising a special day for the whole community.
Last year, Whyalla City Council agreed to coordinate the GFG Alliance Christmas Pageant after previous organisers, Apex, struggled with a lack of volunteers and were unable to give the pageant the attention it needed. This resulted in a quick turnaround for event planning and an opportunity to try something new — moving the location and merging the carols and pageant into one exciting day.
Although an Expression of Interest process earlier this year was unable to find any community groups willing to take over organising the event, several organisations did express interest in supporting council. As a result, a collaborative working group has been formed, bringing together a dedicated team of local organisations to ensure this year’s celebration is a success.
The working group includes:
- HOPE Whyalla
- Rotary Club of Whyalla
- Whyalla Navy Cadets
- Whyalla Car Enthusiasts
- Whyalla Vintage and Classic Car Club
- Whyalla Business and Tourism
- Whyalla Show Society
- GFG Alliance
These community groups have rallied together to coordinate a spectacular event to ensure residents and visitors can enjoy an evening filled with local talent, Christmas cheer, and plenty of family-friendly fun.
Council thanks those individuals that expressed interest in being involved in the 2024 event. The council events team will be in touch with opportunities to get involved.
Community members also had the chance to share their feedback in a survey conducted shortly after the event, aimed at helping continually improve the event. Many respondents praised the merging of the two events, noting the improved accessibility of the new location and the impressive turnout. One participant commented, “Such a wonderful idea to have both events together.” Another said, “I think it was a success! Plenty of parking, a nice green lawn to sit on, and lots of space to set up chairs—I much prefer this location!”
While the response was largely positive, some attendees offered suggestions for improvement, particularly around shade, music, and additional floats. Comments included, “It would be wonderful if council had more support in developing more floats,” “More music playing on the speakers or floats would make the event more vibrant and interesting,” and “While the location is okay, there needs to be more shade.”
Mayor Phill Stone said, “Last year’s event was a fantastic step forward in bringing the community together for the holiday season. We’ve listened to feedback and are working hard to ensure this year’s celebration is even better. It’s wonderful to see the community rally behind this event, and we’re excited to continue building on its success.”
Events Coordinator Ryan Sutherland added, “The feedback we received has been invaluable. We’re already planning to address key themes raised, like shade and float offerings. The organising group will be working together to ensure that this year’s Christmas on the Avenue event will be enjoyable for everyone.”
The event schedule is as follows:
- 4:30pm – 5:00pm: GFG Alliance Christmas Pageant – Coordinated by Whyalla City Council
- 5:00pm – 7:00pm: After Pageant Fair – Coordinated by the Whyalla Show Society
- 7:00pm – 9:00pm: Community Christmas Carols – Coordinated by the Whyalla Show Society, with entertainment support from the Whyalla Music Association and Gavin Chandler Production Services
Float registrations will be open soon, so keep an eye on our socials and website for more information.