Launceston Alive

08/04/2026

Children and Families Festival on Easter Saturday 2026

A BIG thank you to Launceston Alive, TeenChallenge, and especially iSee Church but also to all the other churches and the 150 volunteers and helpers for working alongside SU Australia and making this fabulous festival happening!

This year, there were about 40 different churches and Christian organisations – such as the Good News Club, City Mission, Gideons, God Squat, PCYC, and Fostering Hope - coming together bringing a thrilling and engaging potpourri of activities and food offerings together. Between five different sausage sizzles about 5,000 free sausages were given away, 1,000 pancakes, 700 sticks of fairy floss, 500 serves of African lamb, 700 Sudanese dumplings, and 300 serves of Nepalese fried rice besides endless ice cream cones and tea and coffee.
The activities included all-in games run from the stage, a TAS Ambulance vehicle that kids were invited to explore, a TAS Fire Service fire engine that was also open for curious little guests to explore, remote control race cars, various face painters and balloon sculpturers with never ending cues, a flower crown weaving stall with fresh flowers, giant bubble blowing, a card board box design building booth, parachute games, many art and craft stalls that used the gospel as a starting point to create bracelets and artworks. There were basketball and soccer games and an empty tomb with a giant stone rolled away at the door of the tent.
One of the Northern Tasmanian artists came prepared with 55 original paintings of beautiful landscapes with encouraging Bible verses on them and these paintings primarily blessed people who had never read the Bible before – their happy faces were incredible.

At a LEGO stall and three teenagers decided to build the Last Supper and the Crucifixion out of LEGO – which definitely got people asking questions, wanting to find out more, and getting really engaged!

26/03/2026

Only 9 days to go!
And many surprises to come – at this year’s Children and Families Festival there will be a colouring in competition, balloon sculpting, and soccer games. But that’s not all by far! Wait until tomorrow and find out more!
In the meantime, get ready to come to Riverbend Park on Easter Saturday between 11am and 2pm!
Please, note – parking might be limited, so be prepared, bring your walking shoes and find a car park slightly further away. You will help us by NOT parking in the Silo’s or Car Museum’s carparks. Thank you!

25/03/2026

The COUNTDOWN is ON: 10!
Only ten more days to go to enjoy a FREE, exciting array of surprises, delicious food, and fabulous family fun for all ages coming up. Let’s celebrate Easter together and find out the real meaning of the most important event of all times!
The Launceston Alive Children and Families Festival at Riverbend Park is proudly brought to you by Launceston Alive, SU Australia in Tasmania, TeenChallenge, the Christian churches, many clubs and organisations and the Christian community of Launceston!

06/03/2026

Just 4 weeks to go …
… and an exciting array of surprises, delicious food, and fabulous family fun for all ages coming up. Let’s celebrate Easter together and share the real meaning of the most important event of all times with the wider community. Would you – just you, or you and a bunch of friends, or your church, or your club, or your organisation - like to contribute in any way or form and share the love we have received with those around us? Just contact me on [email protected] or send a text to 0427553424

19/02/2026

What is the real story of Easter?
There is one way (of many) to find out! Bring your family and friends and celebrate Easter with us. Our BIG thank you goes to the generous Christian community of Launceston who makes this annual community highlight possible celebrating the most important event of all times: Easter!
For further information, please, contact [email protected]

16/04/2025

Dan Warlow LIVE in concert!
@ the Children and Families Festival on Easter Saturday
19th of April, sometimes between 11am to 2pm, Riverbend Park, Launceston
Dan is an Australian Christian Kids’ Music artist and entertainer performing in schools, churches, festivals and community events.
Dan’s latest album "GROW" features 9 new tracks including a duet with the Donut Man! His other albums are “The Great Adventure” and “JUMP FOR JOY!” which features eleven original tracks and an incredible line up of special guests: The Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda and Australian Christian Kids’ Artist Colin Buchanan.

15/04/2025

The Real Thing
Children and Families Festival on Easter Saturday 2025
19th of April, 11am to 2pm @ Riverbend Park Launceston, ALL FREE
The Real Thing - Who or what is the real thing at Easter?
Chocolate eggs and bunnies, Easter egg hunts and having lots of fun together are definitely part of and all of Launceston and the North of Tassie is invited to share the excitement and joy at the Children and Families Festival on this Easter Saturday.
And you may or may not believe this: Everything – face painting, ballon sculpting, ice cream, games, dance performances, art and craft activities, sports, sausage sizzle, pancakes, African and Bhutanese food and a concert by children’s singer and songwriter Dan Warlow will be totally FREE!
At this point you may ask, how is that possible? Easter is the most important date in the Christian calendar because Jesus died for us, rose again and is alive! God’s Easter gift to us was absolutely free and to share the joy Launceston Alive, Scripture Union Australia, and TeenChallenge have brought together the churches of Launceston, sports clubs, and organisation that yet again have come up with fabulous fun activities and surprises for this year’s Children and Families Festival at Riverbend Park.
Last year, upon reaching the front of the long queue at a sausage sizzle several people asked ,"how much do they cost?" and aghast at discovering they were completely free, immediately asked "how many per serve?" Sharing love can often simply starts with sharing some yummy food, having fun playing games and sports together, or being given a pretty flower-shaped balloon sculpture!
Thank you for sharing this post!

11/04/2025

How to share God’s love with thousands!
Looking back and looking forward: Children and Families Festival on Easter Saturday 2025
19th of April, 11am to 2pm @ Riverbend Park Launceston, ALL FREE
Sharing love can often simply starts with sharing some yummy food. In Mark 8 we read that by Jesus' miraculous power, four thousand people ate and were satisfied. At the Children and Families Festival on Easter Saturday 2024 in Launceston, volunteers were confronted with a similar task. Remembering Jesus’ John 17 prayer (that "all of them may be one, Father ... brought to complete unity, then the world will know that you sent me..."), it must have brought a smile to the Lord's face last year to see over 45 churches and Christian organisations cooperating in feeding four thousand bodies, minds and souls in three hours in a public park on Easter Saturday.

Just how beautiful and diverse the Body of Christ is, was evident in the diversity of the mouth-watering foods. And the diversity of activities for children to get involved in to learn about the real origin and meaning of Easter was stunning. "Yes please" to the tried and trusted (locally donated gourmet) sausage sizzle. "Yes please" also to pancakes, Sudanese donuts, West-African lamb with spicy rice, and more. We'd been concerned, however, that we might not be able to include the delicious Chinese dumplings which have become popular over recent years. But thanks to the agility of one Christian couple (Fei and Lin) dumplings were on the menu again. It wasn't quite as simple as breaking bread, giving thanks and asking everyone to sit down. Much hard work went into the on-site preparation of each and every fresh, hand-folded dumpling. Fei and Lin worked non-stop from the early morning. Upon reaching the front of the long queue several people asked "how much do they cost?" and aghast at discovering they were completely free, immediately asked "how many per serve?" Gradually the shocking message of God's absolutely free Easter gift is getting out there. We also witnessed beautiful cooperation between churches, offering practical each other help in many ways. Many children and young people heard and experienced the Gospel in many ways, through Colin Buchanan’s songs, art, craft, and games. Many were invited to ongoing local Kids Clubs and Youth Groups. The four thousand were fed. God's ability to unite was demonstrated. All glory to you LORD, well done churches, and huge thanks to SU Australia and TeenChallenge for making all this possible!

20/03/2025

The Real Thing
Who or what is Easter all about?
We will celebrate the real meaning of Easter with the Children and Families Festival on Easter Saturday @ Riverbend Park, 11am to 2pm and YOU and YOUR CHURCH can still be part of this!
The festival is organized by SU Australia, Launceston Alive, and TeenChallenge and made possible by over 40 churches, organisations, community groups, and sports clubs who contribute. The absolute highlight this year will be a concert by Dan Warlow, popular Australian singer and song writer but there will be also face painting, dance performances, games, art, craft, sport, and free food!
To share the love of Christ with the wider community who may not know Christ, yet everything will be FREE!
If you, your friends or your church would like

20/03/2025

The Real Thing
Who or what is Easter all about?
We will celebrate the real meaning of Easter with the Children and Families Festival on Easter Saturday @ Riverbend Park, 11am to 2pm and YOU and YOUR CHURCH can still be part of this!
The festival is organized by Launceston Alive, SU Australia, and TeenChallenge and made possible by over 40 churches, organisations, community groups, and sports clubs who contribute. The absolute highlight this year will be a concert by Dan Warlow, popular Australian singer and song writer but there will be also face painting, dance performances, games, art, craft, sport, and free food!
To share the love of Christ with the wider community who may not know Christ, yet everything will be FREE!
If you, your friends or your church would like

20/12/2024

We are looking forward to seeing you at Riverbend Park tomorrow evening from 5:00pm for the Christmas family ADVENTure carols event. Pack a picnic and blanket, bring the kids and your voices as we sing along to our favourite Christmas carols. We have lined up some of our best local Tasmanian artists,

05/12/2024

We are thrilled to announce the return of Carols at Riverbank Park for its second installment on Saturday, 21 December! This cherished community event is the perfect way to embrace the festive spirit with family and friends.

Pack a picnic, grab a mat, and bring the kids along for a magical evening under the stars. Enjoy the beautiful sounds of well-loved Christmas carols performed by talented local artists and the renowned Launceston City Band. Whether you’re singing along or simply soaking in the joyful atmosphere, this event promises to bring the warmth and cheer of the holiday season to life.

Make it a night to remember with laughter, music, and the spirit of togetherness. Save the date and join us at Riverbank Park as we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year! The birth of Jesus Christ our saviour. .network .lst

Launceston Alive is an annual Easter community festival of thought, music and art held throughout Launceston.