Festive Art on Windows, Sydney Road Brunswick 2024

The Festive Art on Windows event on Sydney Road Brunswick is a great combination of Christmas and public art.  Traders, mostly small businesses, have festive paintings on their shop windows.  This is the third year I have enjoyed it (but it has been going longer).  One day before Christmas I rode down one side of Sydney Road and back up the other side.  So much fun and whimsy.  Here are some photos, including a few not actually in the event, with my best efforts to avoid reflections on the windows!  

My first photo to share is the above festive giraffe at Green Refectory.  (Artist: Eva Lubulwa)

Sydney Road is a road of immigrants from all parts of the word, especially Asia and the Middle East.  So it is not surprising that the council puts Christmas images on bins but the words say "Happy Holidays".  The festive window art does not focus on religion but there are Christmas trees, animals and candy canes.

The Sydney Road Brunswick Association holds the annual Festive Art on Windows event.  It's on til early January 2025.  If you wish to look at the artwork, you can find a map of participants in the event at https://sydneyroad.com.au/whats-happening/festiveart/.  If you aren't in the area or have the time, I have some photos to share.

AI Bakery anthropomorphised their little baked goods. (Artist: Alexandra Clark)

Sylvia and her dad saw the artist painting this koala hugging a candy cane when they were opposite at Chookas cafe. (Artist: Herschel Rego)

Oh you're a mean one, Mr Grinch!  Classic Christmas from Deans Art. (Lucy Davidson)

A very satisfied seal and his cocktail at Crust Pizza. (Artist: Charlotte Job)

Treetop Toy Shop was not part of the festive art on windows but it looked so festive - more so than most non-participating businesses!  It did not look so great in the photo thanks to the reflections but the little mushroom basket is so cute!

Another non-participating piece of artwork.  Actually the snowman is not meant to be festive.  They have been all over Merribek for months.  Sometimes Sylvia and I count how many we can spot on a drive.  At Christmas time they look more festive than their usual sinister vibes!

How gorgeous is this Merry Catmus wreath at The Cornish Arms!  (Artist: Prunella Ong)

It needs a three elves to reach the top of the Christmas tree at Second Hand Phones.  (Artist: Yvonne Yang)

A candy cane loving kangaroo at Quick Shape Hair.  (Artist: Herschel Rego)

A possum, a koala and a kookaburra in a festive tree.  (Artist: Anastasia Selkrig)

Three musicians wearing santa hats at Barkly'a Kitchen.  (Artist: Tim Chmielewski)

Pink cat angels bearing Christmas symbols at Epic Vintage.  (Artist: Yeli Chuan)

A bee feeding on a large purple flower at Baba Hawker.  (Artist: Stephanie Dix)

Pesto the Penguin dressed as a Christmas tree for other little penguis at Tom Phat.  (Artist: Steven Hartono)

Santa on his bike with fluro safety gear at My Ride Brunswick.  (Artist: Udaya Halim)

A koala in a snowglobe at Rin Sura.  (Artist: Lydia Cross)

A little penguin surfing a wave at 210 (Barber Shop).  It looks like Pesto but the kiwi fruit in the picture is confusing me.  (Artist: Oskar Backent)

Family on couch around the Christmas tree at the iconic Franco Cozzo furniture store.  (Artists: Lily Santamaria & August Fraatz)

A pinata, tamales, and ponche (or punch) in a Mexican Christmas scene at BFT Brunswick.  (Artist: Marisol Diaz)

We cannot work out what is the face in the top right hand corner at Moreland Conveyancing.  A scary Christmas demon?  A possum?  King Julien of Madagascar fame? Whatever it is, the santa hat and candy cane and baubles make it look festive.  (Artist: Frances Loriente)

A girl and her cat decorate a tree at Elif Unisex Hairdressing.  (Artist: Helen Graham)

Three Wise Men bearing gifts at Brunswick Life Dental Clinc.  (Artist: David Mahler)

A blue deer, a star and a bauble at Brunswick Myotherapy.  (Artist: Chantelle Ferri)

There were a total of 35 windows painted festively for this event.  I could not include them all here - and probably missed a few.  But I really loved seeing all the creativity of these amazing artists!  And to finish I will share a photo that Sylvia edited of the bent Christmas tree in the Victoria St Mall, Coburg (just off Sydney Road.  It amuses me. I hope you have had lots of happy and jolly experiences over the Christmas holidays.