Let’s get festive! Five new Christmas trees to light up towns

Published on 29 October 2025

This festive season, the Surf Coast Shire will come alive with five new sparkling Christmas trees, colourful decorations, Surfy Santa visits, community carols and family fun.

Christmas trees and decorations

For the first time four-metre solar lit Christmas trees are being installed in:

• Aireys Inlet: Between bottom shops and Painkalac Creek.
• Anglesea: Cameron Park, next to the horse statue.
• Lorne: Next to Visitor Information Centre on Mountjoy Parade.
• Torquay: In front of NAB (bank) on Gilbert Street.
• Winchelsea: Between Anzac Memorial and Bluestone Bridge.

The trees will be installed between mid and late November.

There will also be new stars in Torquay (Bell Street, Gilbert Street and Torquay township), banners in Lorne and Torquay, a festive billboard and local touches like Winchelsea’s timber twinkle trees (by the Men’s Shed), Winchelsea Elf Trail in local shops and hand decorated stars from Deans Marsh Primary School students.

Santa visits

Anyone can take their own free photo with surfy Santa at:

• Torquay Visitor Info Centre: 10am-1pm Saturday 6 December - includes Torquay Library Christmas market.
• Lorne Visitor Info Centre: 10am-1pm Saturday 13 December. 

There’ll be free facepainting for kids too.

Kids can also drop their letter off for Santa between 14 November and 18 December at the Torquay and Lorne Visitor Info Centres to get a reply by Christmas. During these dates, kids can also add their artistic talent to a giant colouring wall at the Lorne Visitor Info Centre.

Santa will also be making an appearance at community carols across the shire, plus he’ll visit the Anglesea shopping strip 3pm-4pm on Friday 19 December, along with roving carollers.

“With the warmer weather coming and the year winding down, it’s a fun time of the year to come together and share all that we love about living in the Surf Coast Shire,” Mayor Mike Bodsworth said.

“I’m excited to see five new Christmas trees being installed across the shire and surfy Santa visits at our visitor info centres. Best of all these are free for families to enjoy.”

“After hearing from locals keen for more festive fun, we’re helping the celebrations grow across the shire - alongside all the wonderful events and activities our local businesses and community groups are bringing to life.”

“We’d love for those with Christmas house light displays to add them to our interactive map.  We also want to see how everyone is getting into the spirit of things across the Surf Coast and hinterland, so we have an online photo competition with prizes up for grabs.”

Community carols and events

See the list of community carols and festive events in Council’s event guide.

Christmas lights map

Looking for the best Christmas house lights? Check out the interactive Christmas lights map – and add your home.

Shop local and give with heart

Find one-of-a-kind gifts and unforgettable experiences while supporting the local businesses that make our community shine.

Give more, waste less

Discover tips for a low waste, high joy festive season.

Show us how you’re getting festive – and win!

Share how you’re getting into the spirit - Surf Coast and hinterland style. Post photos of your decorations, celebrations and festive pets! Tag Surf Coast Shire Council on Facebook and @SurfCoastShire on Instagram - and use the hashtag #SurfCoastSpirit - for your chance to win one of two $100 local prizes!