Holiday spirit and cheer to take over Albany for annual Christmas Festival and Pageant

Albany’s festive spirit will go up a couple of notches next weekend as the annual Christmas Festival and Pageant takes over the city centre.

From mid-afternoon on Saturday, when the markets open at 3pm, through to the pageant at 6pm and beyond, the festival is expected to attract a big crowd.

City community relations manager Elise van Gorp said she was looking forward to seeing the community come together.

“Christmas is such a special time of the year and it will be wonderful to celebrate it with the community again,” she said.

“It’s always heart-warming to see so many within the community get involved and participate in the event and spreading the festive spirit through the heart of the city.”

Last year’s popular snow zone will return to add a special magical winter feeling to proceedings with regular flurries scheduled at 15-minute intervals.

From 3pm to 5.20pm Santa will be assisted by the Ace Camera Club in his free photo booth.

More than 20 market stalls and 10 food vans will be set up in Alison Hartman Gardens and the Albany Town Square from 3pm and a program of performances is scheduled to keep the masses entertained until 7.45pm.

Among those performing will be the Tara Irish Dance Academy, Mt Lockyer Primary School, The Zazzies, Kris Nelson and the About FACE Choir.

Entertainers roaming through the crowd will provide even more fun.

Road closures

A number of road closures will be in place on December 2 prior to, during and after the Christmas festival.

All closures will be re-opened at 8pm following the pageant and festival.

• From 7am - Library carpark closed
• From midday - Parking on both sides of York Street from Peels Place to Serpentine Road, Peels place parking between Aberdeen and Duke streets, Collie Street
• From 4pm - York Street, Peels Place, York Street alleyways, Peels Place alleyway
• From 5pm - Albany highway roundabout at top of York Street