Footscray Park took on a festive glow on 13 December as Christmas in the West unfolded across the Eastern Lawn, drawing families from Maribyrnong and surrounding suburbs for an evening built around food, music, rides and fireworks.
The event featured more than 50 market and service stalls, over 20 food vendors, 10 rides and a packed program of activities for children, including Santa photos and camel rides. Fifteen group performances filled the stage through the evening, ranging from Christmas carols to dance and live band sets, before fireworks closed the night over the Maribyrnong River.
An official ceremony early in the evening brought together elected representatives and community leaders, with speeches delivered by Daniel Mulino, Katie Hall MP, Mathew Hilakari MP and Maribyrnong Mayor Mohamed Semra. The gathering marked the first Christmas celebration of this scale at Footscray Park, a point reflected in remarks shared afterwards by Cr Pradeep Tiwari, who led the event.
“What an unforgettable day and evening at Christmas in the West, held at the beautiful and historic Footscray Park,” he said. “Seeing families, children, elders and friends come together in this iconic space was truly special and something I will always be proud of.”
Tiwari thanked the attending MPs and councillors, saying, “I would like to sincerely thank our special guests and dignitaries for joining us and showing their continued support for our community. Your presence and encouragement mean a great deal.”
He also acknowledged the role of community organisers behind the scenes. “A very heartfelt thank you to Rabindra Nath Shaw and the entire Bongosathi team. Thank you for believing in and sharing this vision with me to bring more large-scale, inclusive community events to Footscray Park,” he said, adding that their “leadership, commitment and tireless work behind the scenes were central to making this festival a success.”
Volunteers and workers across the site were also singled out. “Thank you to all the volunteers, performers, stallholders, food truck operators, ride operators, technicians, safety teams and everyone who worked on the ground,” Tiwari said. “These events are built on passion and long hours, and your contribution was invaluable.”
Addressing questions around funding, he said, “For clarity and transparency, I would also like to share that this event was funded entirely by myself, Bongosathi, community members, sponsors, and the food and market stallholders who participated. No grants or Council funding were received for this event.”
As crowds moved between performances, rides and food stalls, the emphasis remained on accessibility and shared space. “This was the first Christmas celebration of this scale at Footscray Park, and it felt truly historic because of the people who showed up with joy, patience and community spirit,” Tiwari said.
Reflecting on the broader meaning of the night, he added, “This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose and belief in one another. From the performances, to the rides, Santa photos, markets and fireworks, this night was about togetherness, culture and celebration.”
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