City of Perth experiences biggest festive season on record

According to the latest spend and foot traffic data, the City of Perth has recorded its biggest festive season on record with Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas noting the data proved that the City is the place to be at Christmas and throughout the summer season.

Mayor Zempilas shared “this Christmas we welcomed thousands of people to the City who spent more than ever before, with December 2023 the highest monthly spend on record ever.

“At $400 million, this season saw a whopping increase of 19.1% over December last year, proving once again that Christmas lives here in the City, not just for our visitors but also for our retailers and businesses.”

Hotel data also showed year-on-year occupancy was up by 5.5%, indicating that activation, retail and sporting initiatives worked together to drive outstanding spend and visit outcomes.

December 2023 saw the City return to pre-COVID levels for foot traffic, smashing the same month last year with an average of 25% more visitors making the most of the City’s festive offerings across the period.

Mayor Zempilas added “People heard the call loud and clear that Christmas lives here, in the City of Perth. A key example was our glittering Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail which shone brighter than ever before, seeing almost 460,000 people visiting the installations. This is up almost 19% on last year.

“The Elizabeth Quay Fun Fair attracted more than 120,000 people across the season, up 30% on last year. New Year’s Eve couldn’t have been more packed, with attendance at Elizabeth Quay up 50%. Carols in the City was also our biggest singular evening event of the year at the Supreme Court Gardens.

“People flocked to the city for entertainment and sports with more than 50,000 heading to RAC Arena. Our free festive offerings were a clear hit, such as our City of Light Shows, proudly supported by Lotterywest and Roy Hill, and forever family favourites like the Alinta Christmas Pageant that saw more than 45,000 people pack out St Georges Terrace.”

The key stats compared with December 2022 include:

• 19.1% increase in spend taking the total to $400 million

• 1M+ visitors to the City

• 18.5% increase in visitors to the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail

• 30% increase in visitors at the Elizabeth Quay Fun Fair

• 49% increase in attendance for the New Years Eve Light Show presented by Roy Hill

• 5.5% increase in hotel occupancy

The packed summer events schedule continues in the City in coming weeks, starting with FRINGE World from 19th January to 18th February.