As the end of the year approaches, Ararat Rural City is embracing the festive season with a variety of Christmas decorations and community events.
Festive flags and a selection of festive-themed decorations have begun to appear along Barkly Street in Ararat. Christmas trees and an array of other Christmas-themed decorations will also be installed across the municipality this week.
There will be several festive activities taking place on Friday 6 December, starting with the annual We Love Ararat event happening on Barkly Street from 9am – 4.30pm. Hosted by Ace Radio and The Weekly Advertiser, this all-day shopping event aims to encourage the community to shop locally. Participating retailers will be offering a variety of deals and discounts, and The Weekly Advertiser, 3WM and MIXX FM street team will be broadcasting live on MIXX FM on the day.
The inaugural Ararat Christmas Market will kick off later in the afternoon, with market stalls and food vendors confirmed and prepped to set up their wares at Ararat Town Hall from 4pm to 7 pm on Friday, as well as on Saturday 7 December, from 10am – 2pm.
Attendees can grab a bite while they explore the market, which will include a variety of handmade crafts and unique Christmas gifts, as well as some of our best local winemakers offering free tastings and bottles for sale. The official lighting of Ararat’s iconic Christmas tree on the corner of Vincent and High Streets will also take place that evening.
The annual Ararat Carols by Candlelight will be held on Friday 6 December at Alexandra Gardens. Attendees are welcome to join from 6.30pm for a BBQ, followed by Christmas Carols from 7pm. Hosted by the Ararat Y’s Menettes Club, the evening event will also include free face painting, a visit from Santa, and a finale of fireworks.
“Seeing the Christmas decorations be put up throughout the municipality gives you a true sense of holiday spirit. We’re really looking forward to seeing our community come together to enjoy the festivities and support local businesses and organisations” says Mayor of Ararat Rural City Council, Cr Jo Armstrong.
Over the Christmas and new year period, some council services may be unavailable or have varied closures, while others will operate as usual.
Kerbside waste and recycling collections will continue as normal over the holiday period, with the below exceptions:
Waste Truck Schedule
Wednesday 25 December(Christmas Day):
No waste collection.
Thursday 26 December:
Ararat South West (Zone 3), and South West Rural collection run.
Friday 27 December:
Ararat West (Zone 4), and Willaura / Norval Rural collection run.
Please remember to put bins out before 6am on the day of collection. For missed collections during this period, email [email protected] or contact Council on (03) 5355 0200.
Council's Municipal Office are closed on public holidays including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. For urgent matters during this time, please call our after-hours team on (03) 5355 0200 to report a Council emergency.
Council Offices will remain open all other days on Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 5.15pm.
Ararat Library will be closed from 25 December to 1 January and will reopen on 2 January 2025.
The Gallery and Visitor Information Centre will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.
An on-call Community Safety Officer will be available during public holidays for animal emergencies, please contact Council on (03) 5355 0200.
Maternal and Child Health Services will be close as of 5pm on 24 December and reopen Thursday 2 January.
- Tuesday 24 Dec: 6am - 8:30pm
- Wednesday 25 Dec: CLOSED.
- Thursday 26 Dec: 1pm - 5pm
- Friday 27 Dec: 6am - 8:30pm
- Saturday 28 Dec: 8am - 5pm
- Sunday 29 Dec: 8am - 5pm
- Monday 30 Dec: 6am - 8:30pm
- Tuesday 31 Dec: 6am - 8:30pm
- Wednesday 1 Jan: 1pm - 5pm
Normal hours will resume from Thursday 2 Jan.
- Tuesday 24 Dec: 11am - 7pm
- Wednesday 25 Dec: CLOSED.
- Thursday 26 Dec: 11am - 7pm
- Friday 27 Dec: 11am - 7pm
- Saturday 28 Dec: 11am - 7pm
- Sunday 29 Dec: 11am - 7pm
- Monday 30 Dec: 11am - 7pm
- Tuesday 31 Dec: 11am - 7pm
- Wednesday 1 Jan: 11am - 7pm
Normal hours will resume from Thursday 2 Jan.
- Tuesday 24 Dec: 1pm -7pm
- Wednesday 25 Dec: CLOSED.
- Thursday 26 Dec: 1pm -7pm
- Friday 27 Dec: 1pm -7pm
- Saturday 28 Dec: 1pm -7pm
- Sunday 29 Dec: 1pm -7pm
- Monday 30 Dec: 1pm -7pm
- Tuesday 31 Dec: 1pm -7pm
- Wednesday 1 Jan: 1pm -7pm
Normal hours will resume from Thursday 2 Jan.
- Tuesday 24 Dec: 1pm - 7pm
- Wednesday 25 Dec: CLOSED.
- Thursday 26 Dec: 1pm - 7pm.
- Friday 27 Dec: 1pm - 7pm
- Saturday 28 Dec: 1pm - 7pm
- Sunday 29 Dec: 1pm - 7pm
- Monday 30 Dec: CLOSED
- Tuesday 31 Dec: CLOSED
- Wednesday 1 Jan: 1pm - 7pm
Normal hours will resume from Thursday 2 Jan.