Deadline: July 27, 2026
The objectives of the grants are to complement the City’s Christmas programming by supporting community-led activities that add to the festive season across Greater Geelong, bring people together, strengthen local connection and foster a sense of belonging during the Christmas season, support inclusive celebrations that are welcoming to Greater Geelong’s diverse communities including people who may be at risk of social isolation or financial hardship at this time of year, and activate local neighbourhoods, community venues and public spaces through Christmas celebrations that add to the festive season across Greater Geelong.
The City of Greater Geelong Community Grants provide funding to help individuals, organisations and groups turn their ideas into reality. Support can be used for activities such as purchasing equipment, offering group activities, running community events, creating arts projects or upgrading facilities.
Christmas Grants are available for public Christmas-themed community events and activations. Events and activations must be held in Greater Geelong between 22 November 2026 and 7 January 2027, be open and welcoming to a wide range of people, be publicly advertised and demonstrate a Christmas or festive season theme. Funding is also available to support different Christmas traditions, including Orthodox Christmas.
Eligible applicants include incorporated not-for-profit organisations, unincorporated groups with an auspice, registered charitable organisations, businesses, individuals operating as sole traders with an active ABN, and schools or learning institutions for non-curriculum-based activities that support participation by the wider community.
Applicants may request up to $10,000, with a total of $50,000 available through the Christmas Grants program.
Funding may support a range of community events such as community carols and Christmas concerts, family-friendly Christmas celebrations, neighbourhood Christmas events, multicultural Christmas celebrations, Christmas fairs, creative workshops, festive public space activations, community festivals, pop-up performances and temporary immersive art installations.
Eligible expenses may include contractors, equipment hire, event-specific insurance, performers and artists, portable toilets and waste services, security and traffic management, stage, sound, lighting or production hire, staff wages related to additional work required for event delivery, and venue hire including City of Greater Geelong venues.
If demand exceeds available funding, priority may be given to applicants who did not receive funding from this grant in the previous year, organisations that do not receive money from electronic gaming machines or gambling, and events that improve the spread of funded Christmas events across Greater Geelong.
For more information, visit City of Greater Geelong.
