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The Best Things To Do Around Australia This December

The Best Things To Do Around Australia This December

festival

‘Tis the season, and there’s loads on around the country this December. From tattoo festivals to musicals, here are some choice picks for filling out your free weekends.

Adelaide

beach
Image: The Adelaide River Bank

Urban Beach

Bust out your shades, get ready to feel the sand between your toes and don’t forget to slip, slop, slap, because this summer, Pinky Flat on the Adelaide Riverbank will be transformed into a sandy oasis for Adelaide’s first Urban Beach.

Expect a bunch of summer foods to taste, beachside sports like volleyball as well as live entertainment — all in the middle of the Adelaide CBD.

Where: Pinky Flat, Adelaide

When: Friday, 1 December, 2017, to Sunday, 28 January, 2018

NOLAs
Image: NOLA Adelaide / Facebook

NOLA’s Second Birthday Beerfest Weekend

New Orleans-inspired craft beer and whiskey bar NOLA is a bit of an Adelaide institution, and it’s turning two. In light of the milestone, the bar is putting on a party in the form of a birthday beer festival, featuring 26 one-off specialty beers from 26 different brewers.

There will also be a bunch of incredible eats, a beer art charity auction and a late night limbo contest — you can’t make this stuff up.

Where: NOLA Adelaide, 28 Vardon Avenue, Adelaide

When: Saturday, December 9, to Sunday, December 10

porchland
Image: The Porch Sessions

Porchland

Porchland is Adelaide’s annual festival of nice things, featuring a glorious lineup including the likes of Stu Larson, Stella Donnelly and Bjéar. Expect a smorgasbord of local eats, beers, wines and ciders.

Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased here.

Where: Range Road, The Range, South Australia

When: Saturday, December 2


Brisbane

wonderland festival
Image: Wonderland Festival

Wonderland Festival

Roll up, roll up! Brisbane Powerhouse is bringing together a slew of talented local performers for a unique carnival of comedy, burlesque, circus, music, music, theatre and more.

There will be more than 20 shows over the 12 nights, all designed to surprise and delight. Book here.

When: Thursday, November 23 to Sunday, December 3, 2017

Where: 119 Lamington Street, New Farm

south bank
Image: South Bank Brisbane/ Facebook

New Year’s Eve at South Bank

Count down to 2018 at South Bank Parklands, undoubtedly the best vantage point in Brissie. It’ll have everything you could want in a New Year’s celebration, with fireworks displays, a selection of choice food trucks and incredible city scenery.

There are no tickets, but we would suggest you get in early to secure yourself a spot.

Where: South Bank Parklands, Brisbane

When: Sunday, December 31, 2017


Canberra

dog
Image: Pixabay

12 Barks of Christmas Carols

Kick off the festive season with your doggo at 12 Barks of Christmas Carols (the truest intersection of our favourite things — Christmas and doggos). Hosted by the RSPCA, sing along to your favourite Christmas carols with local choirs and bands, treat yourself to some delicious food and beverages from the market stalls, and treat your pooch to some prezzies from the RSPCA ACT stall.

Santa Paws will be on site to take the cutest pics with your pup, too.

Tickets start at $25, with all proceeds going to the RSPCA ACT. Book yours here.

When: Sunday, December 3, 2017

Where: Glebe Park, Canberra

christmas
Image:Canberra Comedy Festival/ Facebook

A Very Canberra Comedy Festival Christmas

Canberra Comedy Festival has a Christmas treat for stand-up fans, with A Very Canberra Comedy Festival Christmas. Let the festival’s best comedians — including Joel Creasey, Fiona O’Loughlin, James Smith, Maddy Weeks, Anthony Tomic and more — get you in the festive spirit over a two-hour show.

Tickets start at $50 (including booking fee). Purchase yours here.

Where: Llewellyn Hall, Canberra

When: Saturday, December 2, 2017

canberrA
Image: Visit Canberra

Eco Elves Night Market

The annual Eco Elves Night Market is back again in 2017, showcasing ways you can get into the Christmas spirit in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. With 45 stalls to choose from, live entertainment, a local wine bar and play area for the kids, it’s set to be a great night with a festive atmosphere to match.

Where: Canberra Environment Centre, cnr Lawson Crescent and Lennox Crossing, Acton Peninsula

When: Friday, December 1, 2017


Darwin

darwin
Image: northernterritory.com

New Year’s Eve At The Darwin Waterfront

Ring in the new year at Darwin Waterfront, with a free outdoor concert and fireworks spectaculars at 9pm and midnight.

There will be live entertainment throughout the night, plenty of food stalls serving up delicious foods or plenty of space for a picnic if you choose.

When: Sunday, December 31, 2017

Where: Darwin Waterfront


Hobart

the taste of tasmania
Image: The Taste of Tasmania / Facebook

The Taste of Tasmania

The Taste of Tasmania celebrates the incredible food, beverages and culinary talent of Australia’s smallest state. Held on Hobart’s incredible waterfront, the event showcases 70 stallholders from all over the state, from local restauranteurs to regional and boutique producers.

There will be street performers and buskers as well as free cooking demos, ticketed food tours and tasting table sessions.

When: Thursday, December 28, 2017, to Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Where: Sullivans Cove precinct, Hobart

Image: Falls Music and Arts Festival / Facebook

Falls Music And Arts Festival

Get to Tassie from December 29 for three days of sweet tunes overlooking the stunning Marion Bay and Maria Island. With a lineup featuring Flume, Fleet Foxes, The Kooks, Peking Duk, Angus and Julia Stone and Foster The People, you won’t want to miss it.

Tickets start at $250 and can be purchased here.

When: Friday, December 29 to Sunday, December 31, 2017

Where: Marion Bay, Tasmania


Melbourne

book of mormon
Image courtesy of The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon

Hello! The much-hyped Tony, Olivier, Grammy and Helpmann Award-winning production The Book of Mormon has well and truly arrived in Australia.

Created by South Park bros Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Frozen composer Robert Lopez, The Book of Mormon has played 335 consecutive weeks at more than 100 per cent capacity at New York‘s Eugene O’Neill Theatre and has now hit Melbourne.

The show will wrap up early January, meaning December is one of your last chances to see it! Prices start at $77 and can be booked online.

Where: Princess Theatre, Melbourne

When: Throughout December

tattoo
Image: Australian Tattoo Expo

Australian Tattoo Expo Melbourne

Wanting some fresh ink or just looking for inspo? For three days, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will be home to more ink than an octopus convention, when more than 300 tattoo artists from across the globe expected to fill the building. There will be demos on what not to do, talks and classes from some of the world’s most talented tattoo artists, and the chance to win some sweet prizes.

Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased here.

Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf

When: Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3, 2017

melbourne
Image: The Night Market

The Night Market At Queen Victoria Market

The Night Market is celebrating 20 years in the sun with a dazzling program of summer food, drinks, artisan shopping and live entertainment. Experience the best of the Queen Victoria Markets in the warm summer evenings.

The Night Market will open on Wednesday nights from 5pm to 10pm. For more information, visit the website.

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When: Wednesday, November 29 to Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Where: Queen Street, Melbourne


Perth

movies
Image: Rooftop Movies

Rooftop Movies

What better way to spend a summer’s arvo than kicking back in some super comfy bean bags, setting in with a beer and watching a movie? No, really. I can’t think of anything.

The producers of the FRINGE WORLD Festival have come up with an open-air cinema experience like no other, six levels above the ground. There will be a bunch of flicks (old and new) screening throughout December.

Tickets start at $16 each, and you can book yours via the website.

Where: 89 Milligan Street, Northbridge

When: Friday, December 1, to Saturday, December 30, 2017

Magellan Ashes Cricket Series

With the first test under our belts and the second set to get underway in Adelaide over the weekend, we could be set for a clean sweep when the Magellan Ashes Series hits the WACA on December 14. The four-day test means there are plenty of opportunities to take in unforgettable moments from cricket’s fiercest rivalry, but tickets (starting at $28) are selling fast, so get in quick.

Come on, Aussie, come on!

Where: West Australian Cricket Association (WACA), Nelson Crescent, East Perth

When: December 14 to 18, 2017


Sydney

ocean swim
Image: Bondi to Bronte

Macquarie Bondi To Bronte Ocean Swim

One way to cool off this summer is to hit the beach, but if you enjoy a splash of friendly competition, too, you should join in on the fun of Australia’s most iconic ocean swim — The Bondi to Bronte.

The Macquarie Bondi to Bronte Ocean swim has proudly partnered with The Kids’ Cancer Project for its sixth year, having raised more than $200,000 over the years.

You can enter online as a team or as a solo swimmer and rego starts at just $20. Register here.

Where: Bondi Beach

When: Sunday, December 3, 2017

murial
Image: Sydney Theatre Company

Muriel’s Wedding —  The Musical

One of the most iconic Australian films, Muriel’s Wedding, is back in the highly anticipated world premiere of the hilarious on stage musical of the same name.

Expect all the funniest moments from Porpoise Spit’s favourite resident recreated on stage with original music by award-winning singer-songwriters Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall. With a big cast and a live band, it’s set to be the theatre event of the year.

Tickets start at $69, and you can purchase yours here.

Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay

When: Monday, November 6, 2017, to Saturday, January 27, 2018

christmas
Image: Destination NSW

Sydney Christmas

Christmas has come early in Sydney, with a month-long festive celebration kicking off on Saturday, November 25. There will be live concerts in Martin Place and at Christmas on the Green in Hyde Park.

Get your picture with Santa, treat yourself to the GPO Dessert Bar, enjoy Christmas carols nightly from 6pm or just bask in the magical 80,000 twinkling white lights while strolling through Pitt Street Mall’s Boulevard of Light.

It’s going to be truly magical.

Where: Sydney City

When: Saturday, November 25 to Monday, December 25, 2017

Check out Qantas flights and begin your next adventure..

(Lead Image: Falls Music and Arts Festival)

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