Christmas on the Hill is back

South Valley Baptist Church pastor James Langley said everyone was welcome to come along to the Christmas on the Hill event. (Ivan Kemp) 447094_03

The festive spirit is returning to Highton with the annual Christmas on the Hill event, which brings many free activities to the region.

South Valley Baptist Church will host the event on December 7 from 4pm to 7pm, with carols starting at 6pm.

Pastor James Langley said Christmas on the Hill would be a fun and festive community event for everyone to celebrate and enjoy Christmas.

“Christmas to us is celebrating the birth of Jesus and how God gave Jesus as a gift to the world… and everyone’s welcome to come and celebrate with us,” he said.

“People can come and have fun with pony rides, jumping castles, lots of food, a barbecue, fairy floss, popcorn, snow cones, games, face painting, and crafts.

“It’s an annual event the church puts on every year that is free for the community because we know that that this time of year, people have a lot of bills piling up and the cost of living is going up.”

Christmas on the Hill was supported by a City of Greater Geelong Community Event Grant, which helps public events expected to attract 300 or more attendees and provide economic and community benefits.

Geelong’s Christmas festivities also include a free Laneways Christmas Festival on Little Malop Street and at Centrepoint Arcade from 4.30pm to 8.30pm on December 6 and 11am to 4pm on December 7.

The floating Christmas tree in Steampacket Quay will continue running nightly sound and light shows after nine-year-old Rudra Wakodikar flicked the tree’s switch during the Christmas Opening Night.