Hubspot_Business Update_Banner_December_v2

Gabrielle Dicarlantonio, Executive Officer of Launceston Central

In this issue:

Update from the EO
Christmas activations
Road closures this month
Register now for Tas Pol retail crime operation

Ho Ho Ho, everyone!

The Christmas season has arrived, and isn’t our CBD looking absolutely magical? From twinkling lights to festive shopfronts, the city is brimming with Christmas cheer. We know you’re all busy with the countdown to Christmas, and we truly hope this season brings a bumper of joy and success for your businesses.

It was great to collaborate with the City of Launceston and Tas Police for the Retail & Safety Information Session, thank you for those who attended. The current trends and the statistics on crime in Launceston were informative, and happy to note crime stats have decreased since last year. See further below in our newsletter for details on how to register your business for the upcoming retail crime operation taking place next week.

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the City of Launceston’s Christmas tree lighting. A big thank you to the businesses who stayed open late that evening—you helped make the night extra special for our locals and visitors!

Here at Launceston Central, we’ve been busy elves ourselves, creating festive activations to bring our community together in the CBD, including the Light Up Launnie window decorating competition (thank you to the 40+ participating businesses), Find Santa's Reindeer scavenger game for kids, Santa's Mailbox in the Brisbane Arcade, plus our upcoming Love Local Festive Fun Day on Saturday 13 December, with live music in the Brisbane Mall and roving entertainment spreading cheer throughout the CBD.

Looking ahead, the Love Launnie Shop Local Campaign will continue running right through 2026. Celebrating our wonderful CBD and its incredible businesses, the campaign provides an ongoing reminder that shopping local not only supports you—it’s an investment in our community.

On a personal note, I’m thrilled to be hosting my very first Launceston board and team strategy day this week. Together, we’ll be setting exciting goals to make our CBD shine even brighter in the year ahead.

Finally, from all of us at Launceston Central and our board, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful Christmas and a sparkling New Year. May your days be filled with lots of yummy plum pudding, laughter, and cherished moments. Here’s to making 2026 a brilliant year for all our CBD businesses!

Warmest festive wishes

Gab Dicarlantonio

Executive Officer

gab@launcestoncentral.com.au

Plan ahead for the busy season and mark your calendar for events which may bring extra people into the city:

Launceston Lions Club Christmas Parade (6 Dec)
World Street Eats (6 Dec)
Carols in the Park (21 Dec)
Gilmore Cycling Classic (26 Dec)
Beerfest (31 Dec)
Music in the Park (Every Sunday in Jan)
Festivale (30 Jan-2 Feb)
Party in the Paddock (5-8 Feb)

Visit the link below to plan ahead for heightened activity in the city, including dates for events throughout 2026.

See what's on

Planning to be open before Carols in the Park? Let us know

Sunday 21 December (City Park)

Hosted by City of Launceston, Carols in the Park will see thousands of locals heading to the City Park for an evening of holiday cheer. But who will be open to feed the hungry concertgoers?

Like the recent Lighting of the Tree, we want to promote local businesses that will be open on the night, including those offering picnic packs to go before gates open at 3pm for the event starting at 5pm.

Email us at info@launcestoncentral.com.au if you'd like to be listed as a recommended destination ahead of Carols in the Park on Sunday 21 December.

Major upcoming road closures in the CBD

See various dates below for events taking place in December

The holiday season is a busy time for community events, with many road closures associated with the festivities. See details below and inform staff and customers who may be impacted.

City of Launceston Lions Club Christmas Parade

Saturday 6 December 7.00am - 1.00pm

The following roads & streets will be impacted from 7am to 1pm:

Esplanade | Shields St

The following roads & streets will be impacted from 10.30am to 1pm:

See the route map at right, or view the full road closure permit by clicking the link below.

75684_COL-Lions_Club_Christmas_Parade_Map

Christmas Parade Road Permit

Summer Graduates Town and Gown Event

Thursday 11 December 9.15 - 10am

The following roads & streets will be impacted from 9.15 to 10am

St John Street | Brisbane Street | Tamar Streets | Brisbane St | Cimitiere St

Additional details, including a map, can be found at the link below:

Town and Gown Road Permit

Gilmore Cycling Classic (BOXING DAY)

Friday 26 December 1.00-8.00 pm

The following roads & streets will be impacted from 1 to 8pm:

Additional details, including a map, can be found at the link below:

Gilmore Cycling Classic Road Permit

Register your business for Tas Pol retail crime operation

Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 December 9.00am - 5.00pm (CBD)

Tasmania Police invite Launceston retailers to participate in a targeted Retail Crime Operation on Wednesday, 10 December, and Thursday, 11 December 2025. This initiative follows discussions at the recent Retail & Safety Information Session.

The objective of this operation is to provide retailers direct communication to Tasmania Police via WhatsApp, enabling real-time reporting of offences and facilitating immediate intervention and apprehension of offenders during incidents. To support the success of this operation, additional police resources have been allocated.

Confidentiality is critical. The effectiveness of this operation and the potential for similar initiatives in the future, depends on maintaining discretion in the lead-up and ensuring active participation from businesses and their staff.

To register your business as a participant, please email U3268@police.tas.gov.au (additional details can be found at the link below).

Learn More

Ahead of busy tourism season, help customers explore our city with Launnie Place Brand maps

Register online to utilise this extensive resource library provided by City of Launceston

Whether you’re welcoming visitors, supporting locals, or exploring the city yourself, the Launnie Place Brand printable map is the perfect guide to uncovering the places and experiences that make our city so special. The map brings together Launceston’s heritage streetscapes, green spaces, food culture and favourite local spots in one easy-to-share resource.

How to access the map
Become a Launceston Place Brand Partner to download the map directly for your customers, guests or team. Signing up is free and gives you access to a range of brand assets that help tell the Launnie story consistently across our community.

Prefer printed pads?
You can order map pads directly through Foot & Playsted at $5.30 per pad, with a minimum order of 5 pads ($26.50 total). Simply contact Foot & Playsted to arrange your print run.

Whether displayed at your counter, added to guest check-ins or used as part of your visitor welcome, the Launnie map helps more people discover the places we love—and experience the best of our community, culture and creativity. Explore the full library of Launnie Place Brand assets at the link below.

Explore the library