General News
4 December, 2022
Christmas cheer takes over Cairns with the Christmas Tree light up
CAIRNS welcomed Christmas once again with an unconventional Christmas tree light-up on the Esplanade this Thursday.
![Christmas cheer takes over Cairns with the Christmas Tree light up - feature photo](https://cairnslocalnews-4634.kxcdn.com/img/containers/assets/news/pg-5---img_0352.jpg/07f38fc210868e2432ff84c534df8a5d.jpg)
The classic Christmas tree, with its 13,000 LED lights, at the Lagoon Plaza will share the spotlight with an extra 16,500 lights on the raintree next to it and special jellyfish decorations on the fig tree for an extra bright Christmas.
However, this year’s light up was an unconventional one due to the extreme weather Cairns had during the week.
Although many events were planned for the family event, from dancers, an orchestra band, and a visit from Santa himself, the rain made it impossible for the event to continue.
The weather would not defeat the city’s Christmas spirit and the tree was lit up at 7pm on Thursday and will be lit every night as a symbol of the Christmas spirit regardless of weather.
![(L-R) Mei Miyamoto, Elizabeth Hamilton, Cr Kristy Vallely and Scarlett Terry](https://cairnslocalnews-4634.kxcdn.com/img/containers/assets/pg-5---img_0362.jpg/051348f0d8ad0b31d0a0bdb244577241.jpg)
Even when the Christmas Tree light up did not go as planned, 2022 will see the awaited return of the Carols in the Park on Sunday, December 11.
The theme for this year’s Carols in the Park is Tropical Sparkles, and residents are encouraged to join in with their best outfits to celebrate the beginning of the festivities.
After two years of COVID, Council brought back a Cairns favourite, Carols in the Park, biggest and more exciting than ever.
“We have the return of the Carols starting at 5pm at Munro Martin Parklands and also at CPAC, so we’re having two venues,” Councillor Kristy Vallely said.
“We’ll have food trucks in between, and those who don’t like the heat so much can go into the CPAC.
“There will be screens along Munro Martin so you can get all the different angles, and plenty of seating will be available.”
![Performers at Carols in the Park and Cr Vallely](https://cairnslocalnews-4634.kxcdn.com/img/containers/assets/pg-5---img_0363.jpg/a4cf0574e01e72b73722c5a406267905.jpg)
This year, Carols in the Park aims to attract thousands of residents with a fun event for the whole family.
“Carols this year is going to be very big, sparkly and tropical,” Carols in the Park spokesperson Liesl Bourke said.
“We have a lineup of great performers from across Cairns.
“We have a narrative running through the show with 10 very mischievous elves that you’ll need to keep your eyes out for.
“And we have the beautiful Munro Martin Parklands with lots of sparkly tropical joy,” Ms Bourke said.
For more information on Carols in the Park, visit: http://bit.ly/3F9F9VD