![woman and council Christmas lights](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/12/20231130_100126-1200x900.jpg)
Wagga Wagga City Council events officer Emma Corbett sitting by the trio of stars installed in the Civic Centre forecourt. Photo: Shri Rajen.
As many residents have already discovered, A Very Wagga Christmas, a program celebrating the festive season, has kicked off.
Wagga Wagga City Council’s 2023 Christmas program includes a Christmas Trail event in suburban parks, large-scale outdoor activities, bubbles, Christmas carols, outdoor games, festive decorations in the city centre, the trio of stars installed in the Civic Centre forecourt, the release of a new Wagga Wagga Christmas jingle and 12 days of Christmas giveaways to be won.
“Throughout the CBD, we have installed festive decorations to get everyone into the spirit,” council events officer Emma Corbett said.
“We are also excited to have the return of our annual Christmas Trail on Wednesday (6 December).
“Santa and Mrs Claus will be jingling into Cootamundra Park at Gobbagombalin, Henwood Park in Kooringal and the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens in Turvey Park to bring Christmas cheer to the community.”
Ms Corbett said it was exciting to visit some of the suburbs and offer something new and interesting for Wagga families to enjoy.
She said there would be different activities at each location, including bubble play, creative Christmas-themed workshops, and an opportunity to meet and greet some of the animals from the zoo.
“We encourage everyone to visit one or all of their locations,” she said. ”You can follow Santa and Mrs Claus across three of the parks in our suburbs to see something new and different.
“They will be at each location for 45 minutes.”
The council has also released a new Wagga Wagga Christmas video to celebrate tourism in the city during the festive season. It was produced in collaboration with the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.
“The video features an original Wagga Wagga Christmas-themed jingle and highlights landmarks and locations in the city,” Ms Corbett said.
“The Riverina Conservatorium of Music will also play the jingle live at their upcoming Christmas with the Con community event at Riverside on Saturday, 16 December.”
The council is also set to release a new Christmas giveaway competition whereby people can enter the draw to win prizes.
”’Tis the season for giving, and this year we want to share a sleigh-load of festive cheer with our locals and visitors,” Ms Corbett said.
“A new interactive ‘Giftmas’ calendar hosted on the Visit Wagga Wagga website will reveal amazing prizes leading up to Christmas. Think indulgent dinners, luxury stays, gifts for the kids, and much more.”
The Christmas Trail will begin at Cootamundra Park in Gobbagombalin at 3:30 pm, then head to Henwood Kooringal at 4:15 pm and finish at Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens at Turvey Park at 5 pm.
The Christmas decorations will be on display until 12 January.
Visit Wagga Wagga City Council for more information about the Christmas program and Christmas Trail events.