Maitland is going all out this year for Christmas! The holiday spirit will shine bright in Maitland this year with a calendar full of fun and festive spirit right across the city.
From a Christmas movie, free Santa photos at The Levee, a giant Christmas tree to a Christmas market and store displays and reindeer hunt – there’s plenty to do with loved ones this year.
Christmas movie night
A Christmas would not be complete without watching your favourite Christmas movie. This year you can head on down to Maitland Regional Sportsground on Saturday 7 December from 4.00pm for the Christmas Movie Night
Families can enjoy an evening of fun starting at 5pm, with kids’ activities, free popcorn and delicious treats, leading to a screening of Home Alone (PG) under the stars. Tickets are just $5 for adults, while children aged 17 and under can attend for free.
Maitland’s 11-metre Christmas Tree
Starting with taking in the beautiful vista of Maitland’s 11 metre Christmas Tree at Maitland City Library where there will also be the ‘Walls That Talk’ images. For this edition of Walls that Talk, Maitland City Council invited local community preschools to create artworks that capture the many ways families celebrate the festive season.
It’s a time for connection — sharing meals, telling stories, exchanging gifts, decorating homes, and enjoying quality time with loved ones. Two preschools answered the call, bringing us a delightful mix of artworks and craft creations made by the little ones. These festive pieces were transformed into a beautiful mosaic of collaborative frames, now on display for all to see.
Maitland’s Christmas Light Competition
Maitland’s best street Christmas light competition is also back and neighbours are encouraged to team up and give their street a festive ’glow up’ with plenty of lights and decorations. This is also a great resource to help you plan your Christmas lights drive around!
Submissions of photos or videos of festive displays can be made via the Maitland Your Say website until 6 December, where the winning street will receive a BBQ voucher, a custom street sign declaring them the 2024 winners and tickets to the Christmas Movie Night, where we will announce the winner.
Free photos with Santa
The Levee precinct will continue to bring some magic to the festive season with businesses decorating their shopfronts and a lost toy hunt for the kids. Of course, Christmas would never be the same without free photos with Santa so with the help of some of his elves he’s set up his workshop at The Riverlink building. Santa will be available at various days and times starting from Thursday 28 November through to Saturday 21 December 2024.
Christmas Reindeer Hunt
Help Santa round up his reindeer before he takes off on his sleigh. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid Donner, Blitzen and even Rudolph have wandered off and gotten themselves stuck in the shopfronts of some of the stores at The Levee.
Help Santa find them by following the map which will be available from Thursday 28 November. Chase down those pesky reindeer. The more you find, the more chances you have to win a $300 voucher to The Levee business of your choice! Entries open Thursday 28 November and close Sunday 22 December.
Christmas Display Competition
Explore The Levee and check out the fantastic windowfront Christmas displays from 28 November through December. Cast your vote for your favourite display by scanning the QR code displayed in the windows or by clicking the link below and you could win a $300 voucher to The Levee business of your choice! Simply scan the QR code in the window and pick your favourite store.
Christmas Market
And if you’re still searching for that perfect gift, make plans to visit the Christmas fair. On Saturday 14 December, A Merry Little Christmas mini market will take over The Levee precinct, featuring boutique shopping, kids’ entertainment, food stalls and a special visit from Santa himself.
Santa’s Post Box
If you can’t meet Santa at The Levee, this Christmas, maybe you can send him a letter? This year, Santa’s mail service is coming to The Levee. Located next to the big red present at The Riverlink, Santa’s mailbox will be operating from Monday 18 November to Wednesday 11 December. This is to ensure his return letter will arrive before Christmas.
More sprinklings of Christmas magic
Maitland City Council has uploaded a dedicated festive calendar of community and Council events to the My Maitland website featuring an assortment of free, fun and family friendly activities celebrating the essence of Christmas and community.
So, whether you’re looking for family oriented fun, traditional holiday experiences, or opportunities to give back to the community, there’s something for everyone this Christmas in Maitland.
🎄 🎅🏼 Make sure that you don’t miss any of the other fun and family-friendly Christmas events and activities in Newcastle and the Hunter, visit the Newy with Kids Guide to Christmas.