At a glance
- Lights
- From Friday 27 November 2026 until the New Year, 5:30pm to 10pm each evening
- Where
- Raby Bay Harbour Park, Wellington Point Village Green, Cleveland Point, Capalaba Youth Plaza and Victoria Point Library Square
- Cost
- No price is listed for the lighting displays; Council describes the Santa pop-ups as free with no bookings
- Christmas Hub
- Redlands Coast Visitor Information Centre, 50 Middle Street, Cleveland, from Friday 27 November 2026 until the New Year
- Island Santa pop-ups
- Russell Island Monday 14 December, Coochiemudlo Island Wednesday 16 December, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) Friday 18 December, all 10am to 12pm
- Who it’s for
- Families in Redland City who want free Christmas photo spots, and island families who want Santa close to home
- What to do now
- Mark 27 November for the lights, and note the day for your island if you want a Santa photo on 14, 16 or 18 December
- Last checked
- Monday 2 November 2026, against two Redland City Council pages
- Not yet confirmed
- Council’s page gives no program or times for the Wellington Point Village Christmas Festival (Saturday 28 November) or Christmas in the Park at Mount Cotton (Sunday 29 November), and no parking details for any lights site
Redland City Council will light five public spots across the city every evening from Friday 27 November 2026 until the New Year, between 5:30pm and 10pm, and will hold free Santa photo pop-ups on three islands in mid-December.
This guide uses Redland City Council’s Redlands Coast Christmas Trail page and its Santa Pop-ups page, both checked on 2 November 2026. Times are Queensland times, with no daylight saving.
Where are the Christmas lights?
Council’s Christmas Trail page lists five locations that are lit nightly from 27 November until the New Year, from 5:30pm to 10pm each evening.
| Location | What is lit |
|---|---|
| Raby Bay Harbour Park | The Redlands Coast Christmas Tree, icicles and tree lights |
| Wellington Point Village Green | Giant 3D Christmas bauble |
| Cleveland Point | Lights by the Sea |
| Capalaba Youth Plaza | Giant 3D Christmas star |
| Victoria Point Library Square | Giant 3D Christmas tree |
Council describes these as spots that are lit up nightly and suited to a family photo. The page does not give an admission charge, a parking plan or a finish date more exact than “the New Year”, so check the page again closer to the date.
Is the Tree Lighting night the same as the Trail?
No. The Redlands Coast Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Raby Bay Harbour Park is a two-night event on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November, with its own program. Our guide to the Redlands Coast tree lighting covers the times, the carols and the movies. The Trail page covers the nightly lights that run after it.
What else is on in Redland City that week?
Council lists two community events it supports again this year. Neither has a program on the Trail page.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Wellington Point Village Christmas Festival | Saturday 28 November 2026 |
| Christmas in the Park, Mount Cotton Community Park | Sunday 29 November 2026 |
Council also says its libraries, Redland Performing Arts Centre, Redland Art Gallery and the Redlands IndigiScapes Centre will run Christmas workshops and activities, and points to its what’s on calendar for the list. Our guide to the Enchanted Christmas Garden at IndigiScapes covers the ticketed night walk that starts on 30 November.
What is the Christmas Hub and Santa’s hotline?
From Friday 27 November 2026 until the New Year, the Redlands Coast Visitor Information Centre at 50 Middle Street, Cleveland, becomes a Christmas Hub. Council says visitors can meet the team, pick up a copy of the Christmas program, and use a Santa phone booth to leave Santa a message. Children can also complete a festive colouring-in, which is displayed in the centre’s window for the season. The page does not give the centre’s opening hours.
When are the Santa pop-ups on the islands?
Council’s Santa Pop-ups page describes free Santa photo pop-ups for island families during the school holidays, delivered with SeaLink, Redlands Coast libraries and the Coochiemudlo Island Progress Association.
| Island | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Island | Monday 14 December | 10am to 12pm | Russell Island Recreation Hall |
| Coochiemudlo Island | Wednesday 16 December | 10am to 12pm | Coochiemudlo Island Community Hall |
| North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) | Friday 18 December | 10am to 12pm | Dunwich Community Hall |
Each pop-up offers free photos with coastal Santa, face painting and children’s activities. No bookings are required. The page does not say whether ferry timetables have been matched to the pop-up hours; check your ferry operator before you travel.
Sources
- Redland City Council — Redlands Coast Christmas Trail (checked 2 November 2026)
- Redland City Council — Santa Pop-ups (checked 2 November 2026)
Featured image: King Island and the causeway at Wellington Point (photo: Chris Olszewski / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Redland City Council, SeaLink or the Coochiemudlo Island Progress Association. Event details can change; check Council’s pages before you go.