Annual celebration marks successful start to festive season with lights, carols, and Santa’s arrival
Mapleton turned out in force on Friday evening as the annual Christmas Concert returned to Mapleton State School, delivering a successful start to the season’s festivities. Organised by the Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA), the event saw strong attendance from families across the hinterland who gathered for an evening of music, community spirit, and the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree.
An Evening of Entertainment
The musical program featured performances from Girl Friday, who delivered two well-received sets of pop-rock and festive tunes that kept the crowd engaged throughout the evening. The Sunshine Coast band bookended the concert, opening proceedings at 5pm before returning for a rousing second set that carried the celebration through to 8pm.
Between Girl Friday’s performances, the stage showcased the breadth of local talent. The Range Community Kindergarten children charmed the audience with their performance, followed by the Mapleton State School Choir who delivered three songs including a spirited rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.
The Mapleton Choir, under the direction of Musical Director Brian Martin, presented a varied repertoire that included Australian carols such as “Carol of the Birds”, traditional favourites including “Silent Night”, and the debut of their new piece “Christmas Year”. The choir’s performance at 6:45pm drew the audience together in song, with their leader encouraging everyone to stay for Girl Friday’s final set.
All acts received enthusiastic applause from the audience, reflecting the community’s appreciation for the calibre of local talent on display.
Earlier in the evening, Miss Donna’s Christmas Show entertained younger attendees in the secondary covered area, while face painting activities ran from 4:30pm. A fancy dress parade at 6:15pm added to the festive atmosphere, with two prizes awarded for the best costumes.
Throughout the event, community stalls provided refreshments including the Lions Club’s Christmas cakes and free ice cream for children courtesy of MADCA. The Mapleton Gym’s festive menu proved popular, with their “Festive Frank” and “Little Elf Dog” offerings, along with Christmas cookies and drinks, ensuring families had accessible food options throughout the evening.
The Main Event
The highlight of the evening came with the ceremonial lighting of the Tree of Lights, officiated by Cr David Law. When Law pulled the switch, a brief delay drew gasps from the crowd before the lights illuminated, signalling the official start of Christmas on the Range to cheers from attendees.
Following the lighting ceremony, Santa Claus arrived aboard the Mapleton Rural Fire Brigade engine. While the planned police escort was unavailable due to an emergency callout, the fire brigade ensured Santa’s timely arrival to the delight of the children present.
Santa, accompanied by three helpers who assisted with gift distribution, expressed his pleasure at seeing so many children turn out for the event. The gift-giving process ran smoothly, with the helpers ensuring that young attendees received their treats and had the opportunity to meet Santa.
Community Support and Fundraising
The evening’s multi-draw raffle proved successful, with strong support from local businesses who donated prizes. The raffle proceeds, along with funds from community stalls, will help support MADCA’s ongoing community initiatives.
This year’s event benefited from collaboration between multiple community organisations, with the organising committee chaired by Professor Steve Turton and including representatives from the Mapleton Men’s Shed, Mapleton Rural Fire Brigade, Mapleton Gym and Fitness Centre, Blackall Range Lions, Range Community Kindergarten, and MADCA.
The Mapleton Men’s Shed once again provided invaluable support in constructing and installing the Christmas tree, continuing their partnership with MADCA that dates back to 2014.
Looking Forward
The strong turnout and positive response to this year’s concert demonstrates the event’s continuing importance to the Mapleton community. Now in its 15th year, the celebration has evolved from its origins as a simple light-switching ceremony in the RSL park to become a comprehensive festive gathering that brings together multiple generations.
The event was made possible through ongoing support from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, which provides grants for lighting and entertainment, and the dedication of community volunteers who manage everything from setup to coordination on the night.
For those who attended, the 2025 Mapleton Christmas Concert delivered on its promise of community connection and festive cheer, marking another successful chapter in this hinterland tradition.
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