It’s starting to look a lot like a Christmas in Dungog street parade

THE new face organising this year’s Christmas in Dungog celebrations on 27 November hopes to make a street parade the centrepiece of the event.

Victoria McGee moved to Dungog four years ago and has landed the job of organising Christmas in Dungog for the first time.

Better known as a professional singer, she also has a background in event management.

“We’re working on including a street parade to head the program,” Ms McGee said.

“I’d like to include brass and pipe bands and have floats from local organisations, clubs and businesses.

“We’ll also invite classic cars from the Rumble, tractors, Harley owners, and motorcycle clubs – perhaps coinciding with their annual toy run.”

She wants to see the wider shire involved.

“I aim to make Christmas in Dungog more interactive and bigger and better each year,” Ms McGee said.

“The event began in 2017, and it has a good digital footprint and solid foundations to build on.

“Our goal will be to bring people into Dungog and encourage them to visit the wider shire.”

Along with food and trade stalls, there’ll be a living nativity scene and a Kids’ Zone. The main stage will feature a program of live entertainment, including performances from local schools.

Of course, the event wouldn’t be complete without a visit from Santa.

Ms McGee is determined to make the 2026 Christmas in Dungog an inclusive, shire-wide community celebration, underpinned by the business community.

“I want the event to showcase what local industries and businesses have to offer,” Ms McGee said.

“That includes the shire’s creatives and craftspeople, so that patrons can also buy artwork and hand-made crafts for Christmas gifts.”

As a first step in engaging shire businesses and potential exhibitors, she’s called a meeting to outline the 2026 program. It will be held at the Settler Arms Hotel on Wednesday, 23 September at 6pm.