The St Gerard’s Christmas Festival 2017 officially starts when it turns on the lights this 1st of December. From then, the festival runs nightly until the 23rd, two days before Christmas. Families can enjoy different stalls that sell coffee, BBQ, light meals, drinks, and ice cream. Santa is available for photo opps from 7:00 p.m. until about 8:00 p.m.
The festival has always been popular for families and kids because of its amazing Christmas lights display. The St Gerard Majella Lights, has won the best church and community group category in the 4KQ Christmas Lights Competition for several years running.
Credit: Our lady of the Angels Chermside Website
The highlight of the St Gerard’s Christmas Festival 2017 is the outdoor Christmas vigil mass that takes place on the 24th of December. There will be a live gospel procession, which includes a crib, a donkey, a sheep, and camels. Carols start at 6:00 p.m. with a mass at 6:30 p.m.
Credit: Our lady of the Angels Chermside Website
For the rest of the festival, the crib lays empty until the night of the Christmas Eve, in time for the Christmas Midnight Mass. Carols start at 11:30 p.m.
Christmas Morning Mass for 25th of December is held at 8:00 a.m. and again at 9:30 a.m.
For those who are looking for affordable gifts, there are a variety of options available in the festival. There are nativity sets, angels, snow globes, musical toys, and other gift items.
There is free musical entertainment from local community members in each evening at 7:30 p.m. with an exciting line-up of talents.
1 Dec – Irish Pipe Band
2 Dec – Santa and the Kids followed by Brett Lee
3 Dec – Queensland Accordion Orchestra
4 Dec – Orchestra Concertino
5 Dec – Brisbane Concert Orchestra
6 Dec – St Andrew’s Community Orchestra
7 Dec – Bayside Divas
8 Dec – South Brisbane Federal Band
9 Dec – St Gerard’s Family Carols and Sing-a-long
10 Dec – Brisbane City Pops Orchestra
11 Dec – Nostalgia
12 Dec – Classic Clarinets
13 Dec – Apollo Men’s Choir
14 Dec – Oompah Band
15 Dec – Brisbane Brass 3
16 Dec – Pantastic Steel
17 Dec – Paradise City Jazz Band
18 Dec – Redcliffe City Choir
19 Dec – Indooroopilly Chamber Orchestra
20 Dec – Brisbane City Sounds
21 Dec – Serenata Singers
22 Dec – Brother James
23 Dec – Renata Children’s Show
St. Gerard Majella Catholic Church is located at 146 Maundrell Tce in Chermside.