The 7 Best Things To Do In Sydney This December
With November bearing witness to 40-degree-plus temperatures, we’re more than set for summer here in Sydney. Our December is looking pretty alright, with a healthy dose of culture, outdoor pursuits and floral delights to keep us occupied in the silly season. With so much going on, you might want to tell your flatmate that you’re not going to be home much this December.
#1 The Beresford takes on summer head first
Catering to every man, woman, their dog and their children, The Beresford Hotel has announced some exciting events for the Summer. Kicking things off is the inaugural Beresford Dog Show on Saturday December 5. In a courtyard where dogs are always welcomed, your four-legged friends will be the star of the evening with a chance to win prizes galore for your pampered pooch. Entry is free. Starting your week right, The Monday Jam is back from 8pm each week. In its fifth year, this is the place to go to discover fresh live music with Sydney’s best young house band, hand-picked DJs and a weekly spotlight on fresh talent. It’s free and it conveniently follows The Beresford’s generous happy hour (6-8pm daily).
Wednesdays see movie night held in the courtyard (for free no less) with a stellar line up of films. Our pick is Entourage on December 9 and How The Grinch Stole Christmas on December 23.
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#2 Stand up for ChilOut
LOLs are great, but they’re even better when they support a good cause. Enter ‘Stand Up for ChilOut’ on Thursday 17 December. This funny fundraiser for an unfunny cause is supporting ChilOut – Children Out of Immigration Detention – a not-for-profit community group who act on behalf of children seeking asylum in Australia. The mammoth line up includes Rove McManus, Dave Williams, Susie Youssef, Michael Hing and a whole stack more (with surprise guests still to be announced). This promises to be an evening of comedy gold, and it will put smiles on more faces that those who are there on the night. Put your laughs to work! For tickets click here.
#3 Surf it off
If you’re seeking an endless summer, but can’t get away from your desk long enough to find the big waves yourself, then here’s an opportunity to live vicariously through some of the bravest surfers tackling the biggest waves on the planet. Director Tim Bonython has been chasing swells all year, in what has become known as the ‘Swell of the Century’ (get it?). On this intimate evening in December, Tim will be showing three short films from 2015 – The Biggest Right, The Biggest Shipsterns in Years and Tahiti, Teahupoo.
After showings in Bondi and Palm Beach, the Rough Cuts mini tour makes its way to Wanda Surf Club in Cronulla for one night only. This event is reminiscent of the good old days, with surf movies on the big screen in coastal towns. Grab yourself some tickets, a cold one and enjoy some of this year’s greatest moments in big wave surfing. For more info and tickets click here.
#4 Jarryd James and Meg Mac
Get ready to witness two of Australia’s darlings on the one stage with breakthrough artists Jarryd James and Meg Mac joining forces for one night only at The Enmore. They’ll be looking to end the year on a high, having both enjoyed huge success in 2015. Jarryd James’ Do you Remember was the highest-selling Australian single of the year, and received over 15 millions streams on Spotify alone. Meg Mac spent much of the year in the United States working on her forthcoming album, whilst also joining D’Angelo and the Vanguard on their coast-to-coast North American tour. Phew! Audiences will also enjoy support act 19-year-old Kita Alexander who has been working along some big names. Book tickets here.
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https://youtu.be/nVZfhc1JXA4
#5 Bloomin’ beauty
Brighten someone’s day (or treat yourself) with a visit to Sydney’s Flower Markets – Australia’s largest market for fresh cut flowers. It’s a floral delight for the senses, with the season’s best and blooms on offer from 5am every day except Sunday. All flowers are grown with 2-3 hours of Sydney so you know that what you’re getting is the best of the season’s offerings. Whether you’re an amateur flower enthusiast, or a full-blown florist, set your alarm, take a friend or two, and prepare to be amazed and inspired by one of nature’s greatest delights.
#6 Anchors away
Revel in your post-Christmas food and drink coma by perching yourself on the banks of Sydney Harbour for the start of the 70th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Since 1945, people much braver than most of us, have been tackling the 628 nautical mile race that begins at 1pm on Boxing Day. The harbour will be abuzz with water crafts of all varieties as everyone aims to get in on the atmosphere of one of the world’s most anticipated and highly-regarded ocean races. Pack a picnic of Christmas leftovers and get there early to join 600,000 others dotted over and around the Harbour. The start line sits just north of Shark Island, so prime viewing is around North or South Head, but it will be buzzing all over.
#7 Challenge yourself
Bronte Beach is the home of the world’s first surf life saving club, so it only seems fair that they herald the start of Summer (and let’s face it, beach season) with one of the best ocean swims on the calendar. The Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim is a 2.2km course that starts at Bondi, tracking through McKenzie’s before heading down the coast into Bronte. There’s also an 800m option for those who’d like to stay within the confines of Bronte, and a 400m or 800m course for the under 13s.
The swim takes place on Sunday, December 6, and entries are still open. For more details and to book your spot click here.
(Lead image: Giant Dwarf/Facebook)
