Share the Surf Coast Spirit and think local this Christmas
Published on 04 November 2026
Surf Coast Shire residents and visitors are being encouraged to embrace the spirit of Christmas this year, celebrating generosity, kindness and community connection, while supporting local businesses.
Council’s Share the Surf Coast Spirit campaign brings together local shopping, Christmas trees, Surfy Santa visits, festive activities and community celebrations across the shire.
At the heart of this year’s campaign is Gift It Forward, a new Buy Local initiative that will put $3,000 back into Surf Coast businesses while celebrating the local shops, makers, hospitality businesses and experiences our community loves.
Decking the shire
From early to mid-November, four-metre solar-lit Christmas trees will bring festive sparkle to five towns across the shire:
- Aireys Inlet: Between the bottom shops and Painkalac Creek
- Anglesea: Anglesea Shopping Village
- Lorne: Next to the Lorne Visitor Information Centre on Mountjoy Parade
- Torquay: In front of NAB on Gilbert Street
- Winchelsea: Between the Anzac Memorial and Bluestone Bridge
Other festive touches will include stars on poles in Torquay town centre and banners in Lorne and Torquay. Also, in early December, Torquay’s IGA carpark area off Gilbert Street will be “yarn bombed” in a festive style.
Gift It Forward: Give the local businesses you love a shout out and win
On Monday 16 November, Council will launch Gift It Forward - a new buy local initiative celebrating the Christmas tradition of giving and sharing with others, while supporting local businesses.
Residents and visitors will be invited to nominate a Surf Coast business they love, say what makes it special and choose someone they’d love to share that experience with. If their Christmas wish is drawn, they’ll receive a $150 gift from that business for the person they nominated.
Five Christmas wishes will be drawn each week for four weeks, putting $3,000 directly into local businesses while helping more people discover the shops, makers, hospitality businesses and experiences available across the Surf Coast.
Follow @surfcoastbusinesscollective and @surfcoastshirecouncil on Instagram for details.
Surfy Santa, Christmas house lights map and more
Also returning this festive season are Surfy Santa visits, the Christmas house lights map and other community celebrations.
Families can enjoy free photo opportunities with Surfy Santa at (times to be confirmed):
- Lorne Visitor Information Centres on Saturday 5 December.
- Torquay Visitor Information Centre on Saturday 12 December.
Children will be also able to drop off their letters to Santa at both centres between 14 November and 18 December and receive a reply before Christmas.
A time to celebrate and support local
Cr Joel Grist said he was looking forward to Christmas trees, Surfy Santa visits, Santa letterboxes, the Christmas house lights map and other local events and traditions making their return.
“Last year was the first time we introduced Christmas trees in five townships across the shire, in response to community feedback. It’s great to see them returning this year to add some colour and fun during the festive season.”
He said Christmas was a time to reflect on what matters most, while also supporting local businesses.
“Christmas is a great time of celebration with Christian origins marking the birth of Jesus. It is a time to reflect on messages of peace, hope and goodwill. It’s also a time for family, generosity and looking out for one another,” Cr Grist said.
“Supporting our local businesses is one way we can put that spirit of generosity into practice. Before shopping online or out of the area, consider the gifts, food, experiences and services available right here on the Surf Coast.”
“Every time we shop local, we’re supporting the people behind that business, local jobs and the businesses that help give our towns their character.”
“Gift It Forward is a new way to celebrate those businesses, share your favourites with others and perhaps give someone special a local gift at the same time. Keep an eye out on Council’s Instagram for details.”