Hosted by the Dubbo Regional Council, the event is being held at the Church Street rotunda from 5pm with the unveiling of the flags and the turning on of the Christmas tree lights.

As well as a family fun zone there will also be a visit by Pooka the Clown, live music from Simon Allen and Dubbo Central Public School plus free horse and carriage rides. 

The night will be the perfect opportunity to get all of your Christmas shopping done with various CBD businesses open until 8pm, including Daily Scoop at Majo's, RB Sellars and more.

It's your chance to get your Christmas shopping done with these CBD businesses open until 8pm!  There might even be a special visit from Saint Nick, himself.

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You can even have your presents wrapped at Newcastle Permanent until 7pm for a gold coin donation to charity!

DRC Mayor Ben Shields said Dubbo is a special place when it comes to Christmas when compared to other regional cities.

“We do it quiet well because we have got this picturesque main street, we therefore have the ability to decorate it and do it in such a way that is reflective of our community,” he said.

Now in it’s fifth year, the annual Smile It’s Christmas campaign not only aims to create festive cheer, but also encourages residents to shop locally.

Cr Shields said for him, Christmas serves a time to connect with loved ones, and was also an opportunity to generate revenue in the local economy.

“Christmas is such an important time for the city of Dubbo to try and make some cash,” he said.

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“We’ve done it very hard with the drought and we need to make sure our retailers are flourishing and the way we do that is by all working together.”

Cr Shields said with the DRC putting that little bit extra effort into Christmas across Dubbo then it allows local retailers to know they’re backing them.

“We’re doing what we can do to encourage extra business for the city and we’re certainly out there competing with other regional cities….,” he said.

Shopping local was more and more important, particularly shopping at locally owned and operated stores, Cr Shields said.

“Every year we get better at it (shopping locally),” he said.

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Cr Shields encouraged businesses to become involved in the shopfront competition this year with the winner being awarded prize money which will then go back into improving their shop.

“Everyone who is involved in the CBD has a role to play with Christmas.”

Shop keepers and managers do need to put that little but extra effort in when it comes to decorating their store.”

Cr Shields also encouraged CBD business employees to take that extra effort with parking.

“Consider parking down on the river bank… that extra courtesy will help enable trade,” he said.