News

On song for Christmas

DETERMINED to spread a little joy after such a difficult year, Christmas celebrations including carols and a free twilight movie will go ahead in the Auburn Botanic Gardens next month.

However unlike previous years, the festivities are limited to 500 people on a first come, first served basis, with a warning that anyone turning up after the limit is reached will be turned away in line with Covid-19 regulations.
Entry is free from 6pm-9pm on Saturday, December 12, but a Cumberland Council spokesperson confirmed bookings are not available, although the carols will also be live-streamed.
“When people are given the option to pre-register, there can be a high number of people who don’t attend,” she said.
“We want to maximise the experience for as many people as possible in line with what Covid-19 regulations allow.”
There will be live updates when the event reaches capacity, and allocated seating will be in place to ensure social distancing is maintained with attendees also required to register on arrival for contact-tracing.
Mayor Steve Christou says ‘Christmas in the Gardens’ includes plenty of free, fun activities for kids and adults including an outdoor cinema showing the latest Trolls movie, meet and greet with Troll characters, letters to Santa, take home colouring activity packs and Christmas lights.
“Not all councils are proceeding with Christmas events this year, however, we hope that our residents take the opportunity to engage with our event and that it brings them some Christmas cheer,” he said.
“2020 has been an extremely difficult year, first with the bushfires and then with the pandemic. Everyone has been affected in some way.”
Details: cumberland.nsw.gov.au/christmas-gardens.