Christmas celebrations look a little different across the Fleurieu this year, with pageants and parades cancelled due to COVID restrictions.

In Victor Harbor the region’s Rotary clubs have planned a week-long festival of Christmas from 7 to 13 December.

The festival will launch with a giant Christmas tree on Warland Reserve, followed by the start of a Christmas Lights trail sponsored by Harcourts and coordinated by The Times newspaper.

Harcourts are offering $1,000 in prizes: $500 for first; $300 for second; and $200 for third prize. 

To enter email a photo of your house lit up and the address, with “Christmas lights” in the subject line.

The festival will also feature a business Christmas shopfront lights display; music at Newland Memorial Church; a Christmas tree competition; horse and carriage rides; and a Festival of Bands event.

On Thursday 10 December enjoy relaxing music with one of the state’s finest pipe organs and grand pianos in a magnificent acoustic venue.

This is at Newland Memorial Church 10am to 11am; entry is free.

Saturday 12 December sees the festival come to a head with a series of activities and competitions.

Between 10am and 3pm catch a horse and carriage rides from Flinders Parade near the Soldiers Memorial Gardens.

From 1pm to 4pm there will be a giant balloon on Warland Reserve. Sponsored by the Strathalbyn Rotary Club, there will be a gold coin donation.

In Grosvenor Gardens from 2pm to 4pm will be the Christmas Tree competition, with great prizes in three categories: Traditional, Australian and Innovative.

Entries are via Encounter Bay Rotary Club email Ken Carter or phone 0400 383 765.

From 1pm to 4pm a Festival of Bands on Soldiers Memorial Gardens will feature Granite Community Band, City of Onkaparinga Pipe Band, Victor Harbor Town Band, Hahndorf Town Band, Enfield Brass Band and SA Pipes & Drums.

Finally from 5.30pm to 8pm Carols by the Sea will feature Santa’s Elves presented by Pip Squeekz and Pop Starz and a visit by Santa. 

The bands festival and carols are free events but are ticketed, as there is a limit of 800 people to each. Register via Eventbrite.

On Sunday 13 December the Beachside Markets will again take over Ocean Street from 8am to 4pm and from 6pm to 8pm Newland Memorial Church will close out the week with 9 Lessons and Carols.