In its second year running, the Nowra Shine Bright display was organised by the CBD Revitalisation Committee.

Many gathered for photos, listened to carols by the NukeM buskers and South Coast Life Church groups and watched performances by DanceWorks Nowra at the display's grand opening on Thursday evening, December 16.

Some lucky kids even got to meet Santa Claus.

James Caldwell, chair of the committee, said the drive behind the 2021 display was to encourage people to shop local and spread some much-needed joy after a challenging couple of years.

"We're just trying to help the local traders and encourage people to use the CBD a bit more," he said. "It gets the community together and let's them have a bit of Christmas cheer."

Owner of homewares store Mi Amor Home, Jen Rainford, said the display is bringing more people to the CBD and is having a positive impact for local businesses ahead of the Christmas period.

"It's been a lot busier and we seem to be getting a lot more traffic, which is really important," she said.

"A lot of feedback is that people don't want to come into town because of the (new Nowra bridge project) with all the traffic, so I think they're making that trip in to bring the kids into town.

"It's a very positive feature of the CBD."

Jen said she has noticed customers relishing in the Christmas cheer a lot more and that it was nice to see after COVID-19 lockdowns.

"We make custom wreaths at our shop, and a customer from Terara came in and we made one together," she said.

"She encouraged me to go and drive past her house and the wreath was out the front.

"And she said 'thank you so much, I don't normally even put up a Christmas tree'.

"It just made her feel like she was in the Christmas spirit."

Mi Amor Home and The Art Hub Studio and Gallery on Kinghorne Street will be holding a VIP Christmas shopping night on Tuesday, December 21 from 5pm to 8pm, where local shop owners and retailers will receive 20 per cent off.

"I just wanted to encourage those businesses to come in and shop as well, because we've all got to stick together," said Jen.

The CBD display will be on until December 24.

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