Published on Friday, 19 December 2025 at 12:00:00 PM
On Thursday, 18 December 2026, Merredin was alive with festive cheer at the annual Festive Night Out celebration. Residents and visitors, including many who travelled from as far as Perth, enjoyed a vibrant evening that showcased the best of Merredin’s community and town centre.
The event was strongly supported by local groups and businesses, with a wide range of market stalls on offer throughout the evening. These included local first responders, arts and crafts, plants and community organisations. Cafés, restaurants and retailers across the Town Centre stayed open late, keeping festivalgoers well fed, while pop-up vendors provided an array of sweet and savoury options for those looking to try something a little different.
With the warm Summer sun adding to the festive atmosphere, there were plenty of ways for families to stay cool. Inflatables, a splash zone, foam pit and water slide were a hit with children, while the bubble zone, face painting fairies and sand pit kept young festivalgoers entertained for hours. Adults and families alike enjoyed a slower pace with donkey and cart rides, and the petting zoo proved popular as cuddly animals soaked up plenty of attention.
The fun didn’t stop there! People were getting active with dodgeball, basketball, and mini golf, and the bravest festivalgoers tried their luck on the bucking bull. Everyone was mesmerised by the performers, including dancers and gymnasts with colourful costumes, lights and streamers. Festivalgoers were also treated to a boot scooting performance and live music from roving musicians, plus performers at the Commercial Hotel and on the main stage. Of course, the star of the show was Santa, with everyone lining up to get their happy snap with our famous man in red.
It was wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate life in Merredin. From everyone at the Shire, we’d like to thank our event co-hosts, the Merredin CRC, all the financial sponsors (including Collgar Renewables, Atmos Renewables, Merredin Energy, Merredin IGA, Merredin Legal, AFGRI, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Harcher, HOLCIM, Lachlan Hunter MP, Merredin Motel and Gumtree Apartments, Merredin SES, Minimbah Concreting and Fencing, and Narembeen and Bruce Rock Darts Association), raffle sponsors (Merredin IGA, Go MAD, Australia Post, Wheatbelt Cash for Containers, Merredin Harvest Fresh Food Market, St John Merredin, Two Dogs Mitre 10, Dimensions Cafe, Comfort Style, The Cutting Room, Wild Poppy Cafe, Leon Baker Jewellers, AIM Dental, and Ambrosial), the event volunteers, and all the wonderful stallholders and entertainment.
We’d also like to give a special shoutout to the Festive Night Out Committee, who put a large number of volunteer hours into planning and delivering a wonderful event!
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