This year's festival will not see the return of the night market, but will instead feature a new 'Christmas in the Park' event.

Cowra Tourism Assistant Manager Kurt Overzet said they had been hard at work coming up with the new concept.

"We've been working closely with our event partners to come up with some great ideas for this year's festival," he said.

"It's certainly been a tough year for so many of us, but as we start to see our state reopen, it's time for us to put on something fun for our amazing community to look forward to as we finally start to come out the other side of this pandemic".

"This year we'll be hosting a big 'Christmas In The Park' event at River Park on Friday, December 10, with live music, BYO picnics, community group catering, ice cream, coffee, snacks and cold drinks.

"A bunch of fun activities for the entire family including the inaugural Cowra Christmas Stocking Race and the CINC Christmas Wonderland, an outdoor Christmas movie cinema thanks to Cowra PCYC, a Christmas Pool Party at the Cowra Aquatic Centre, and more.

"The popular 'Cowra Christmas Lights Competition' will also be making its return with $5000 in Cowra Cash Cards and bragging rights up for grabs for the best house, runner-up, best village/rural property, people's choice, and of course, the best street in town."

Registrations for the 2021 Cowra Christmas Lights Competition will open Monday, November 15 and will close on Monday, December 20.

The Cowra Christmas Festival is a collaborative effort between Cowra Tourism, Cowra Shire Council, Cowra Business Chamber and the Cowra Information & Neighbourhood Centre (CINC).

Planning is still in its early stages for this year's festival, more details regarding the full festival program will be released in the coming weeks.

To stay up to date on this year's Cowra Christmas Festival, follow the @CowraChristmasFestival Facebook page.

For more information contact Cowra Tourism on (02) 6342 4333 or email events@cowratourism.com.au