Perth will earn its title as the City of Lights again this festive period, with the City of Perth’s Christmas Lights Trail featuring 27 light installations across the CBD creating an amazing free experience for young families, holiday shoppers and tourists.
Premier Mark McGowan has helped spark the beginning of the City of Perth’s festive season, with the announcement of a $685,000 Lotterywest grant towards the City of Perth.
The funding allocation is for three events over summer, the Christmas Lights Trail ($150,000), New Year’s Eve celebrations ($100,000) and 2020 Australia Day Skyworks ($435,000).
The three events will activate Perth and encourage up to 300,000 people to visit the city centre, filling local retail shops, bars and restaurants, supporting local jobs and providing a boost to the CBD economy.
Weekend entertainment will feature throughout the malls, along with roving performances within Forrest Chase, Raine Square, Kings Square and the Perth Cultural Centre on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The free three-hour parking trial, which launches this Friday, will open up 1,674 car bays in central CBD retail positions at His Majesty’s Theatre, Pier Street and the Perth Cultural Centre on weekends and public holidays. The trial will also include free parking along the East Perth and West Perth retail strips.
The McGowan Government is continuing to work closely with the City of Perth and other agencies to encourage more people into the City over this festive season, with other initiatives including a trial of free three-hour parking and further funding for homelessness services.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Our city will light up again this festive season, with 27 unique light installations spread across the CBD making this our best Christmas Lights Trail yet.
“For families with young children, the Christmas Lights Trail is really something special, putting smiles on the faces of thousands of WA kids.
“This is a great opportunity for local families to visit the city and spend some time exploring each of the different, unique areas while following the Christmas Lights Trail.
“With 1,674 car bays in central CBD locations opening with free parking for three hours from this Friday, every Western Australian can come into the city and experience the Christmas Lights Trail for free.
“Events and initiatives like this will provide a much needed boost to the local economy and help support local jobs in our capital city.”
As stated by Perth MLA John Carey:
“The Christmas Lights trail is a proven success at activating our city: by encouraging families and visitors to follow the trail through different parts of the city, with increased foot traffic for local businesses nearby.
“That’s why it’s fantastic to see the Christmas lights program expanded, increasing coverage across the CBD and precincts.”
As stated by City of Perth Commissioner Andrew Hammond:
“The City of Perth is proud to ring in the festive season with our biggest Christmas program ever thanks to support from the State Government through Lotterywest.
“The return of the much-anticipated Christmas Lights Trail will herald a spectacular line-up of free family fun and entertainment plus unique shopping and dining experiences inviting everyone to experience the joy of Christmas in the city.”
