At a glance
- When
- Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November 2026, 4:30pm to 8:30pm both nights
- Where
- Raby Bay Harbour Park, Shore Street West, Cleveland
- Cost
- Free; no bookings or tickets needed
- Tree lighting
- 6:30pm; community carols from 6:45pm; Christmas movie in the park from 7:15pm
- Santa photos
- Free with Coastal Santa, 4:30pm to 6:15pm
- Getting there
- Cleveland station is opposite the event site; parking in the town centre is limited
- Help
- Redland City Council (07) 3829 8999
- Who it’s for
- Families in Redland City who want carols, Santa photos and the tree lighting in one evening
- What to do now
- Decide on train or parking, and enter the children’s art competition by 4:59pm on Friday 13 November if you want artwork on the big screen
- Last checked
- Saturday 31 October 2026, against the Redland City Council event page
- Not yet confirmed
- Which nights the stage acts and roving performers appear, and the Cleveland parking locations (Council points to a separate parking guide)
The Redlands Coast Lighting of the Christmas Tree runs on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November 2026 at Raby Bay Harbour Park in Cleveland, from 4:30pm to 8:30pm, it is free, and the tree is lit at 6:30pm each night.
This guide uses Redland City Council’s event page for the Lighting of the Christmas Tree, checked on 31 October 2026. Times are Queensland times, with no daylight saving.
What time does the tree light up?
Council’s event page lists one program for both nights:
| Time | What is on |
|---|---|
| 4:30pm | Event opens, with activities, food trucks and roving performers |
| 4:30pm to 6:15pm | Free photos with Coastal Santa |
| 4:45pm | Stage program starts |
| 6:30pm | Official proceedings and the Lighting of the Christmas Tree |
| 6:45pm | Stage program with community Christmas carols |
| 7:15pm | Christmas movie in the park |
The movie differs by night: The Santa Clause (rated G) on Friday 27 November and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (rated PG) on Saturday 28 November. Council says song lyrics will be shown on the event screens for the community carol performances. The page does not name the stage acts or say whether the program changes between nights apart from the movie.
Do I need a ticket, and where do I park?
Council says this is a free event and no bookings or tickets are required. On parking, the page says parking in the Cleveland town centre is limited and attendees are encouraged to use public transport where possible. It adds that Cleveland train station is opposite the event site, and it points visitors to Council’s guide to parking in Cleveland for locations. We have not repeated those locations here because the guide was not part of what we checked.
| How you travel | What Council says |
|---|---|
| Train | Cleveland station is opposite the event site |
| Car | Town centre parking is limited; see Council’s guide to parking in Cleveland |
Council’s page gives no train timetable for the two nights. Check the Translink journey planner before you travel.
What can I bring?
Council says chairs, blankets, picnics, food and drinks can be brought in, but glass, metal cutlery and alcohol are not permitted.
| Permitted | Not permitted |
|---|---|
| Hat, sunscreen, glasses | Alcohol and illegal substances |
| Poncho and small umbrellas | Large umbrellas, tents or tables |
| Water, and non-alcoholic food and drinks (no glass) | Glass or sharp objects, metal cutlery, weapons including cheese knives |
| Picnic rug | Bean bags, large deck chairs or reclining chairs |
| Small picnic and camping chair (the front section is for blankets only) | Flammable or explosive items or liquids |
| Beach trolleys and eskies | Lasers, laser pointers and torches |
| Guide dogs and registered assistance animals | Drones, unauthorised advertising materials, smoking and vaping |
Council advises owners of assistance animals to consider whether the crowds, amplified sound and lighting displays suit their animal.
Is the park accessible?
Council says yes. The event is in a public park with accessible pathways and footpaths, but the main viewing area is grassed parkland with some sloping and uneven ground. A dedicated accessible viewing area with shade is provided, and accessible portable toilets will be on site.
Can children’s artwork go on the big screen?
Council’s art competition is open to all ages and invites children and students to submit festive artwork for the event screens. Entries are digital image files in JPG, TIFF or PNG format, in landscape orientation only, and must be submitted online by 4:59pm on Friday 13 November 2026. The event producers choose the final artworks for display on the large screens.
Sources
- Redland City Council — Redlands Coast Lighting of the Christmas Tree (checked 31 October 2026)
Featured image: Raby Bay Harbour Park, Cleveland (photo: Orderinchaos / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Redland City Council or Translink. Event details can change; check Council’s event page before you go.