It the most wonderful time of the year and Moorabool Shire is getting into the festive spirit with Christmas trees and decorations going up across the shire. There's lots of opportunities to get into the festive spirit with free activities for all ages from our library service, and you'll find many ways to celebrate with our local business community.
Click through to see what festive activities are available for one and all in Moorabool Shire in 2023!
A new addition to our festive season program shows off the creative talents of our local school students. Primary schools across the shire have carefully and painstakingly decorated 20 timber Christmas trees, which you can find spreading festive cheer in townships across the shire.
Manufactured right here in Bacchus Marsh, the school's trees will be decorated each year by students, and will brighten up our communities for years to come.
Come December, you will find the student's trees in Bungaree, Mount Egerton, Lal Lal, Gordon, Myrniong, Bacchus Marsh and Ballan.
Snap a photo of your school's tree and post it to social media using #MerryMoorabool and tag Moorabool Shire Council.
Congratulations to the participating schools and the creative and talented children in our shire, and many thanks to the dedicated teachers who made this project possible. Participating schools are:
- Bacchus Marsh Grammar
- Bacchus Marsh Primary School
- Ballan Primary School
- Balliang East Primary School
- Bungaree Primary School
- Coimadai Primary School
- Darley Primary School
- Gordon Primary School
- Lal Lal Primary School
- Mount Egerton Primary School
- Myrniong Primary School
- Pentland Primary School
- St Patrick's School Gordon
In December visit our town Christmas tree displays in the main streets of Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Blackwood, Greendale and Gordon.
Take a photo and post it to social media using #MerryMoorabool
Find the large town Christmas trees at:
Council's new local business directory lists exclusively local businesses, covering an amazing range of goods and services. Launched in October, the local business directory brings our business directory offering onto our website, providing a safe and trusted location to search for products and services you need.
If you discover your favourite local shop isn't listed yet, let them know they should add their business asap!
Visit the new local business directory
Santa’s making a list and he’s checking it twice! Plan your trip to Ballan or Bacchus Marsh and say hello to Santa to make sure he knows how good you’ve been this year.
See Santa in Ballan – find him on Inglis Street between the farmers market and Cowie Street on:
- Saturday 9 December 10.30am to 1.30pm
- Friday 15 December 10.30am to 1.30pm
See Santa in Bacchus Marsh - find him on Main Street between Flanagans and the Village Green on:
- Saturday 16 December 10.30am to 1.30pm
- Saturday 23 December 10.30am to 1.30pm
Our wonderful library service has a range of free activities for all ages throughout December. Join us for Christmas craft sessions where you can unleash your creativity and make some unique gifts for yourself or loved ones.
For adults 18+ only:
For under 18s and all ages - Ballan:
- Christmas storytime and family wreath making, McLeans Reserve, Saturday 9 December, 10am
- Christmas Rhyme Time with Santa, McLeans Reserve, Wednesday 13 December, 10am
For under 18s and all ages - Bacchus Marsh:
- Festive BacchChat with Moonlite Theatre, Lerderderg Library, Saturday 2 December, 10am-12pm
- Christmas storytime and family wreath making, Village Green, Saturday 16 December, 10am
Check out the workshops on offer at Darley Neighbourhood House this festive season, and get crafty with friends or family! For more information please contact Darley Neighbourhood House directly on 5367 4390
Christmas Wreaths workshop
Make a beautiful wreath for your home for Christmas! Suitable for experienced crafters or beginners, all materials supplied to make a wreath you love to hang on your door.
When: Wednesday 29 November 12-1.30pm
Cost: $30 per person. Book online at www.darleylearning.com or email info@dnhlc.org.au or call 5367 4390
Christmas Fluid Painting
Experiment with fluid painting, learn different techniques and create your own unique Christmas decorative tray to take home. All materials supplied.
When: Wednesday 20 December 10.30am
Cost: $20 per person. Book online at www.darleylearning.com or email info@dnhlc.org.au or call 5367 4390
Pressed Tin Christmas Decorations workshop
Learn how to design a variety of pressed tin ornaments, how to draw designs on tin, cut out and emboss using a variety of different tools, and finally how to colour using ink.
When: Sunday 3 December 12-2pm
Cost: $95 per person. Book online at www.darleylearning.com or email info@dnhlc.org.au or call 5367 4390
The St Anne's Christmas Market is back better than ever. Head along for another year of fantastic local stalls, live music, food trucks, and the most important ingredients of all - wine to go with!
When: Sunday 10 December, 10am-4pm
Where: St Anne's Winary, 64 Garrards Lane, Myrniong
Register your attendance at: St Anne's (Myrniong) Christmas Market - 2023 (stanneswinery.com.au)
The 2023 Bacchus Marsh Christmas Festival is back on 16 December at Maddingley Park! This year the festival is full of great community activities. There will be a large market space, amusement rides, a free gingerbread workshop, face painting, free kids craft zone and much more.
Carols by candlelight will run from 7-9pm, then to end the night with a bang there will be a show stopping fireworks display!
Activities: 1pm to 7pm
Carols: 7pm to 9pm
No glass. No smoking. No alcohol. Entry by gold coin donation.
The Bacchus Marsh Christmas Festival is delivered by Webb Events. For more information email bm.christmasfestival@gmail.com
Don’t miss out on this amazing act by Cyclo Illuminato, a three-wheeled, turbo charged, mobile interactive spectacle of sound and sight manned by two consummate performance artists. The tricycle is highly decorated with flowers, lights, so you’ll get to enjoy ambient dance music, amplified vocals and interactive engagement create a curiosity that engages the hearts and minds of any audience!
Bacchus Marsh - Main Street between Flanagans and the Village Green, both sides of the road
- Friday 8 December, 3.30pm-6.30pm
Ballan - McLean Reserve & up and down Main Street
- Saturday 16 December, 11.30am-2.30pm
Be entertained by some great tunes brought to you by The Nelson Family and support our local musicians bringing the Christmas spirit from Gordon.
Bacchus Marsh – The Village Green
- 16 December 10.30am-1.30pm
Ballan Rotunda - McLean Reserve
- Friday 15 December, 4.30pm-7.30pm
Santa's Arrival Parade
Santa will be making his grand arrival at The Village Bacchus Marsh at 10:30am outside ALDI on Saturday, 2 December.
Join Santa, Mrs Claus, Rudolph and their musical Christmas elves for their arrival parade as they spread the magic of Christmas throughout the Centre. The parade will finish at 10:50am so that Santa can get ready to have his photos taken with families outside ALDI. Mrs Claus, Rudolph and the musical Christmas elves will continue to roam the Centre until 1:00pm, handing out goodies and spreading joy.
Santa Photos
Santa will be coming to The Village Bacchus Marsh all the way from the North Pole to make his grand arrival on Saturday 2 December. Located near ALDI, Santa photography requires an online booking to participate. A small booking fee applies, which will be deducted from the purchase price of your photo package at the counter.
Christmas Market
Join the Village from 9am - 3pm on Thursday, 21 December; for their Christmas Market. Meet Artisans, Makers and Crafters throughout the Centre as they showcase their unique local offerings. From home décor and Christmas knick knacks to handmade giftware and more; you will find that perfect gift for that someone special at the The Village Bacchus Marsh Christmas Market.