Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie has Christmas carols and fireworks on the Westport Park foreshore, and a Town Square tree that was swapped for a 9.5-metre walk-through one in 2023. Wauchope adds a drone light show.
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The story of Christmas in Port Macquarie
Carols Under the Stars and the Westport Park fireworks
Port Macquarie's older Christmas tradition is carols and fireworks on the Westport Park foreshore. In December 2018 thousands came to Carols Under the Stars, with entry by a $2 donation to the Salvation Army. In 2021 the Westport Club hosted Christmas Under the Stars on Sunday 12 December. Gates opened at 4.30pm, entertainment started at 6pm and fireworks began at 9pm, and the night raised money for Marine Rescue Port Macquarie.
That year there was also a nightly light projection called The Christmas Bell on the Historic Courthouse facade in Clarence Street.
Santa, a stage and a tree on the Town Green in 2025
The 2025 Christmas Fair ran on Friday 5 December from 5 to 9pm at Town Square and the Town Green, at the north end of Horton Street. It was free and family-friendly. Crowds built from 4pm ahead of Santa's arrival, carol singing and the tree lighting. The stage had the Hastings Secondary School Band, the Hastings Public School Choir, ExtravaDance and Port Macquarie Performing Arts Juniors and Rockettes.
Later in December families found Santa at The Witchy Nook, Carols in the Vines at EaTs Estate and Santa lolly runs at Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills.
A walk-through tree and a drone show in Wauchope
The Town Square tree has had a bumpy history. In 2022 a Norfolk Pine drew criticism, and in 2023 it was replaced by an artificial tree about 9.5 metres tall with a walk-through base. It was lit on Friday 8 December 2023, with an ice skating rink, Santa and a laser light show on the night.
Up the road, Wauchope's Christmas in the Sky ran on Wednesday 10 December 2025 at the Wauchope Showground from 4pm to 10pm, with a Christmas drone light show at 9pm.
Traditions today
- Christmas Fair on the Town Green: A free Friday evening in early December with Santa, carols, a stage and the Christmas tree lighting.
- Westport Park carols and fireworks: Community carols and a fireworks night on the foreshore, hosted by the Westport Club.
- Carols in the Vines: A twilight carols night at EaTs Estate, with blankets and chairs on the grass.
- Santa lolly runs: Santa rides out with NSW RFS helpers at Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills and tosses lollies.
- Christmas in the Sky, Wauchope: A Christmas evening at Wauchope Showground with a drone light show at 9pm.
- The Christmas Bell projection: A nightly light projection on the Historic Courthouse facade, which ran in 2021.
A fact for kids
Port Macquarie's Town Square tree has a walk-through base, so you can stand inside it for a photo.
Questions about Christmas in Port Macquarie
When was the Port Macquarie Christmas Fair in 2025?
The Port Macquarie Christmas Fair was held on Friday 5 December 2025, from 5pm to 9pm, at Town Square and the Town Green at the north end of Horton Street. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council ran it. No 2026 date had been published when this was checked, so look for the council's announcement before planning.
Is the Port Macquarie Christmas Fair free?
Yes. News Of The Area described the 2025 Christmas Fair as a free, family-friendly event in the Town Square and Town Green precinct. It had roving performers, festive installations, interactive activities, Santa appearances and a main stage with a kids show, Christmas carols and a cover band finale. Stalls and food vans sold food and drinks.
Has the 2026 Port Macquarie Christmas Fair date been announced?
Not that we could find. The council said after the 2025 fair that it could not wait to do it all again next year, but no 2026 date or program had been published when this was checked in November 2026. The Christmas Fair has recently been held on a Friday evening in early December.
Who played on the Town Green stage in 2025?
The 2025 Town Green stage featured the Hastings Secondary School Band, the Hastings Public School Choir, ExtravaDance, Afrobeats, Port Macquarie Performing Arts Juniors and Rockettes. Market stalls and food vans filled the square around it, and the night built towards Santa's arrival, carol singing and the tree lighting.
What time does Santa arrive at the Port Macquarie Christmas Fair?
The council has not given an exact time. At the 2025 fair crowds arrived from 4pm and built towards Santa's arrival, carol singing and the lighting of the Christmas tree, all before the 9pm finish. Arrive early if you want a spot near the Town Green stage, and check the 2026 program once it is published.
How tall is the Christmas tree in Port Macquarie's Town Square?
In 2023 the Town Square tree was a new artificial tree about 9.5 metres tall, with a walk-through base that Port Macquarie News called a good spot for photos. It replaced a Norfolk Pine that had been criticised in 2022. It was lit at the Christmas Fair on Friday 8 December 2023.
What else was at the 2023 Port Macquarie Christmas Fair?
Besides the new tree, the 2023 fair had an ice skating rink, a visit from Santa, a Christmas laser light show, food trucks, market stalls and entertainment. It took place at Town Green and Town Square on Friday 8 December 2023, when the new walk-through tree was lit.
Where can kids see Santa in Port Macquarie outside the fair?
In 2025 Santa sessions ran at The Witchy Nook, with the final session on Saturday 20 December from 1pm to 3pm. Photos were $10 per family, group or person, and proceeds went to Bravehearts. Santa also rode through Bonny Hills from 3pm that day with NSW RFS helpers, tossing lollies.
Is there a Christmas carols night in a winery near Port Macquarie?
In 2025 Christmas Carols in the Vines ran on Saturday 20 December from 5.30pm to 8.30pm at EaTs Estate, 147 The Ruins Way, Port Macquarie. Tickets were $10 for adults and $5 for kids, and families were asked to bring blankets and chairs. No 2026 date had been published when this was checked.
Does Santa do a lolly run around Port Macquarie?
Yes, in 2025 Santa lolly runs rode out with NSW Rural Fire Service helpers on Saturday 20 December. One ran at Lake Cathie, with a tracker posted on the NSW RFS Lake Cathie Brigade Facebook page, and another at Bonny Hills from 3pm. Santa tossed lollies along the route. Check the brigades' pages for 2026 routes.
What does Wauchope do for Christmas?
Wauchope held Christmas in the Sky on Wednesday 10 December 2025 at the Wauchope Showground, 93A High Street. It ran from 4pm to 10pm, with a Christmas drone light show at 9pm. Visit NSW described it as affordable Christmas entertainment for all, but gave no ticket price. A 2026 date had not been published.
Do the Port Macquarie libraries run sessions in the lead-up to Christmas?
In December 2025 the libraries ran their usual sessions at 10am in the lead-up to Christmas, and Wauchope and Laurieton libraries also held sessions that week.
What was The Christmas Bell at the Historic Courthouse?
The Christmas Bell, A Moment For Us All, was a light projection on the Historic Courthouse facade in Clarence Street, Port Macquarie. In 2021 it ran nightly at 7pm from 25 November to 3 January.
Is there a Christmas street parade in Port Macquarie?
Port Macquarie News reported there was no street parade in 2021, and the 2025 council event we found was the Christmas Fair at Town Square. Santa now arrives at the fair on the Town Green, with carols and the tree lighting. A 2026 parade had not been announced when this was checked.
What is Christmas Under the Stars at Westport Park?
Christmas Under the Stars is hosted by the Westport Club on the Westport Park foreshore. On Sunday 12 December 2021 gates opened at 4.30pm, entertainment started at 6pm and fireworks began at 9pm. It was a fundraiser for Marine Rescue Port Macquarie, whose volunteers ran the barbecue. No 2026 date had been published.
What did Carols Under the Stars cost in 2018?
In December 2018 entry to Carols Under the Stars at Westport Park was a $2 donation, which went to the Salvation Army. Port Macquarie News reported that thousands attended, with many community singalongs, and said the town just loves carols under the stars. The night was muggy, but families stayed in good spirits.
Is there a kids New Year's Eve near Port Macquarie?
In 2025 Laurieton United Services Club held New Year's Eve from 4.30pm on Wednesday 31 December, with fireworks at 9pm and a Kids Fun Fair with unlimited wristbands for $15 on the night. Check each venue for 2026 plans.
Is there a kids show at the Port Macquarie Christmas Fair?
Yes. The 2025 fair's main stage included a kids show, Christmas carols and a cover band finale, according to News Of The Area. Young local performers also took the Town Green stage, including the Hastings Public School Choir and Port Macquarie Performing Arts Juniors and Rockettes. The fair ran from 5pm to 9pm on Friday 5 December 2025.
Where can I find confirmed Port Macquarie Christmas events for 2026?
Rally Takes the Train's Port Macquarie Christmas events guide will list events once their 2026 dates are confirmed on an official page. No 2026 date had been confirmed for the Christmas Fair, Christmas in the Sky or the carols when this was checked in November 2026, so check back in December.
Where should we go for Christmas with kids in Port Macquarie?
Based on the 2025 season, start with the free Christmas Fair at Town Square and the Town Green, then look at Carols in the Vines at EaTs Estate and Santa lolly runs at Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills. Wauchope's Christmas in the Sky also had a drone show. None of these had 2026 dates published yet.
Sources
- Christmas Fair 2025, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
- Port Macquarie News of the Area, 28 November 2025, News Of The Area
- Port Macquarie News of the Area, Christmas Fair report, News Of The Area
- Port Macquaries new and improved Christmas tree lights up the festive season, Port Macquarie News
- Celebrate Christmas in Port Macquarie this December, Port Macquarie News
- Christmas in the Sky, Wauchope, Visit NSW
- Time to get jingly: Christmas countdown begins across our region, Port Macquarie News
- Festive spirit at Christmas Under the Stars for Connection, Port Macquarie News
- Thousands flock to Westport Park for Carols Under the Stars, Port Macquarie News