Wollongong hospitality leaders Joshua Hill, Adam Murphy, Nathan Stratton, Ryan Aitchison, and Ben Abraham have promised to bring back Santa Fest for 2024. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
Santa Fest fanatics rejoice – the beloved pub crawl has been resurrected, although with less pub crawl and more family-friendly vibes.
After 30 years of spreading Christmas cheer and raising more than $2.5 million for charity, organisers announced on 5 July that the annual event would be no more.
Key figures in Wollongong’s hospitality scene have stepped forward to ensure the tradition continues, with the blessing of the event’s creator Neil Webster.
Adam Murphy of Humber, Heyday and Halfway, Josh Hill of North Wollongong Hotel, and Ryan Aitchison of The Illawarra Hotel have come together to save Christmas.
“Santa Fest’s humble beginnings started in 1993 with a group of mates coming together to celebrate the festive season and donate presents to the less fortunate,” Josh Hill said.
“North Wollongong Hotel proudly became the spiritual home of Santa Fest, nurturing the event from one hotel to multiple venues, from a group of mates to 12,000 people coming from all over the world to participate at its peak.
“This is a culturally important event to Wollongong.
“I came from a Sydney venue in 2022 and every local I’ve spoken to has shared a story or two of their fond memories attending this event.
“The team at North Wollongong Hotel are proud and excited to continue the legacy that Neil started in 1993, continue to support local charities and continue to provide an event that creates fond memories for everyone who attends.”
The renewed Santa Fest, to be held on 14 December, will have a different flavour to the old.
Organisers want to update the culture of the event to ensure its sustainable for another 30 years.
Think less booze and more live entertainment.
“What was once perceived as a day of intense drinking will evolve into a festival of place,” Ryan Aitchison said.
“Our goal is to celebrate Wollongong — its people, its live music, its hospitality, its unique character and most importantly, its charities— by inviting people from near and far to Wollongong’s Annual Christmas Party.”
Venues that did not previously participate in the event, like La La Las, have enthusiastically come on board now the focus is on live entertainment.
La La Las owner Nathan Stratton said the vibe of previous Santa Claus pub crawls didn’t work for his venue.
“The previous event centred around more of a pub crawl atmosphere rather than a festival as such,” he said.
“This rebirth is going to be a really good thing for Las to be a part of. People like events where they can go and see all the different parts of Wollongong.
“One of the shining lights that’s come out of COVID is local businesses coming together to see how we can put on great events.”
Financial sustainability has been a significant challenge, but organisers said Wollongong City Council and police were supportive of Wollongong’s revitalised Christmas celebration.
Hopefully this means more money for the charity that benefits.
“Financially it had become harder and harder to run an event of that size especially when you want to have money go to charity,” Ryan said.
“Because of the way we’re running it, without the emphasis on drinking, it’s less vital to have increased police numbers.
“We absolutely want to walk away from this with a big fat cheque for a local charity.
“We haven’t locked one in yet, so any local charities please reach out, we’d love to meet you, know your story and look at how we can raise money for you.”
Loading ...
