A trail of Christmas joy

LIGHTUP@CHRISTMAS is back for its 10th year with 15 dazzling Christmas displays along the trail at Maleny Uniting Church. Bring the whole family or enjoy at your own pace, and see the beautiful displays the many local community organisations have brought together for the community to enjoy. 

Maleny Uniting Church’s Peter Callaghan explained the trail would run around the outside of the Church leading inside where eight beautiful Christmas trees will be set up. 

“We’ve got quite a few local community groups involved this year and the MCU Charitable Trust have come on board with a grant supporting the event,” Peter said. 

“Like last year, we have a combination of Christmas tree displays and Christmas light displays following this year’s theme of ‘Peace’. There are some spectacular displays outside as well as beautifully decorated trees inside.”

Local organisations involved include the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre, Maleny Hospital Auxiliary, RangeCare, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Maleny Girl Guides, Blue Care Erowal, Rotary Club of Maleny, CWA Maleny, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Men’s Shed Maleny, Maleny Dairies, Blackall Range Horseless Carriage Club, Ladies Friendship Group, Busy Needles and Witta Recreation Club.

Previous years’ events welcomed up to 700 people over the week’s opening, however, like many other events in recent years Covid put a halt on allowing the walk-through event to go ahead. Peter shared during that time, with the support of community organisations, the event transformed from their Christmas Tree Festival to incorporating lighting up the whole building and grounds.  

“Things were different through Covid… we’re almost rebuilding the event, in a way,” Peter said. “But we’re looking forward to this year’s event and it’s also interesting to see how people interpret the theme of the year.”

LightUP@Christmas is a free family event running from 7-9pm, December 18–23 at Maleny Uniting Church, 1290 Maleny-Landsborough Road, Maleny. There’ll be kids giveaways and refreshments are available for donation with all money raised will go to the Maleny Community Centre in support the work they do.  (see ad on page 11)

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