With just over a month to go until Christmas, City of Parramatta has revealed its festive plans for the holiday season – including bringing back a nativity scene that had previously been vandalised.
Parramatta has locked in its Christmas celebrations at the latest Council meeting, with the city set to mark the happiest time of the year with a slew of events and decorations from November 28, 2024, to January 8, 2025.
Evening Christmas Markets and the lighting of the Christmas tree will take place on November 28, while Christmas-themed Farmers’ Markets, including the Good Gifts Guide, will run throughout December in Centenary Square.
“City of Parramatta Christmas decorations will add festive cheer throughout the LGA in locations including Parramatta CBD, town centres, Council facilities and libraries,” the Council report said.
“Christmas trees, garlands, a nativity scene, performances, street banners and wreaths will help to encourage the festive spirit during the Christmas holiday season.”
Along with the usual Christmas celebrations, Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter also moved for previous festive events and decorations to return, including a Seniors’ Christmas Party for residents over 60 and a nativity scene.
From 2014 to 2017, the Seniors’ Christmas Party was delivered as five separate ward-based lunches held in a local community facility, before transitioning to one Seniors’ Christmas concert at Riverside Theatres for 2018 and 2019.
In 2020, the event was discontinued due to COVID and funding was reallocated.
“Obviously because of COVID there was a bit of a concern with seniors and whatnot, and that was discontinued, funding was re-allocated to other events. What I’m noting to do tonight is to reinstate that, I think it’s a great event to have,” he said.
“I think that’s something that’s really important as a diverse community that we do ensure that we also do celebrate Christmas with our seniors.”
Likewise, a nativity scene previously featured as part of the city’s Christmas decorations, before vandalism led to its removal.
“Christmas is an important time for many communities in the City of Parramatta to gather with family and friends and reflect on the ‘reason for the season’ – being the birth of Jesus Christ,” Zaiter added.
“Unfortunately, it’s been brought to my attention that the previous nativity scene that we did have in Parramatta has been damaged and vandalised on numerous occasions, to the stage where, I believe, I’ve been told is unrepairable, hence the need for us to acquire a new one.”
Councillor Steven Issa also moved for a report to be bought back to Council on the possibility of reinstating Carols at Parramatta.
To find out more about Parramatta’s Christmas events visit http://www.atparramatta.com.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.