Santa Claus, minions among the favourites as hundreds flock to Bunbury CBD for Christmas in the City events

The streets of Bunbury were brimming with Christmas spirit on Sunday night as families flocked to the CBD for the annual Christmas in the City event. Market stalls, food vans and Christmas movies made for a festive afternoon at Bicentennial Square before bars and cafes were packed full of people eagerly awaiting the procession through the City. Santa hats and reindeer ears lined the streets as the sun set and the parade began, with representatives from organisations and clubs across Bunbury getting involved. The competition for the parade’s best float was hotly contested, with marching dogs and Disney characters thrilling the crowd. Even the Grinch made a surprise and perhaps unwelcome performance in the middle of the parade before local dancers showed their wares, including an incredible display from Bunbury’s Toxic Cheer, with cheerleaders launched into the evening sky in front of a packed Rose Hotel on Victoria Street. But the fan favourite was always going to be one man, with Santa Claus arriving on the final float of the night to the roar of hundreds of local kids. Events continued into the night at Bicentennial Square with more people gathering on the grass to listen to their favourite Christmas carols.