All the best things happening in your state this December

There’s no shortage of things to do in Australia during the festive season.

With such a breadth of things going on around the country during December, it can sometimes get a little overwhelming to separate the champs from the chumps. To help you out, we have collated a guide of the best-goings-on for the month of December (and the best ways to spend your New Years Eve), helping you plan your calendar accordingly. Thank us later.

NSW

Red Bull Curates: Welcome to Summer
December 9
Coogee Pavillion

After multiple lockdowns and cancelled events in 2021, Red Bull is collaborating with some of the nation’s best party starters, alongside favourite local artists to perform at iconic locations across the country and ignite an epic start to your summer with weird and wonderful surprises along the way.

Come to the free event and dance to superstars like Ebony Boadu, Honey Point, Motez, Nina Las Vegas, and special guest, Froomes.

Christmas Lights Spectacular
Open now until Jan 26
Hunter Valley Gardens

If you want to immerse yourself in a Christmas wonderland this December, then make your way to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest lights display, Christmas Lights Spectacular.

Walk through the immaculate grounds of the Hunter Valley Gardens, located a two-hour drive north of Sydney, and take in the beauty of more than three million sparkling lights, in addition to the entertainment, activities and amusement rides to be enjoyed over the summer period.

There are also 20 unique light displays including an eight-metre-tall Mega Christmas Tree, Candy Land, Walk-Through Bauble, Around the World, Princess Castle and the Giant Teddy display. New additions include the Magic Castle with its illuminated walk-through tunnel, you can also walk through ‘Snowy’ the Snowman’s eight-metre-high belly, and see the illuminated polar bears, penguins and sleigh dogs at the White Christmas display. If you’re visiting with your significant other, don’t forget to visit Lover’s Corner to journey through the heart tunnel and share a kiss under the mistletoe.

NYE @ Pier One
December 31
Sydney

As far as unbeatable views go, you’ll soon discover that uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world-renowned New Year’s Eve fireworks display both rank pretty high on the list. Pier One Sydney Harbour is the perfect location for both.

After the year we’ve all had, there has been no better time to grab your friends and book your own exclusive table or private area for New Year’s Eve 2021. Enjoy premium drinking and dining overlooking the water and the best views in Sydney.

VIC

Pique-Nique at Domaine Chandon
Beginning December 7
Yarra Valley Winery

The traditionally French concept of “pique-nique,” a social eating occasion, made luxe yet laid-back arrives soon down under in Melbourne.

Yarra Valley Winery and Chandon paired up to provide the most picturesque summer picnic. Picnic baskets, available for $65, include an arrival glass of Chandon and a selection of shared dishes. Chandon will release three summer cocktails to coincide with the arrival of “Pique-Nique,” which will all be available at the winery.

This one’s perfect for a romantic getaway or a weekend with friends.

Frankston’s Magical Christmas
Wells Street, Frankston
December 21-24

If you can hear those sleigh bells ringing, it means Santa Claus is coming to town and Frankston’s Magical Christmas is not too far away.

There is a packed calendar of Christmas events, including carols, pool parties, outdoor cinemas, light shows, markets and more.

Check out the full festive line-up here.

Melbourne Street Eatz
All of December
South Wharf

Melbourne’s favourite food truck event is back. With weekly rotating trucks, live music and special events, Melbourne Street Eatz is the ultimate day/night out.

Work up an appetite (and a thirst), gather your mates and head down to South Wharf. Featuring, food trucks, games, live music, events and bars.

Entry is $2. See you by the river!

SA

Lights of Lobethal Festival
December 12-23
Adelaide Hills

Experience the magic of Christmas and ignite your sense of nostalgia at the Lights of Lobethal Christmas Festival, which has been lighting up the Lobethal Valley in the Adelaide Hills for more than sixty years.

Created by the community of Lobethal in the true spirit of Christmas, the event has evolved into the largest Community Christmas Light Display in the Southern Hemisphere.

In addition to the attraction of the spectacular light displays at approximately 700 homes, there are numerous fantastic events and attractions for visitors throughout the festive season. Highlights include the special light projection installation Flocking Together, Christmas Pageant through the town’s main street, and living nativity and twilight Christmas market.

Kick Back Week
December 27 – Jan 1
Fleurieu Peninsula

Kimbolton Wines brings “Kick-Back Week” to Langhorne Creek – the region’s first week-long food truck event between Christmas and New Year.

Visitors can enjoy a good feed and a glass of Kimbolton wine on the cellar door lawns, rooftop or front deck. While beer lovers will be pleased to know that the new release Little Pete Ales, produced locally in the Fleurieu Peninsula, is also being poured.

The entire week-long event is family-friendly with food and beverage options to keep the kids happy and outdoor lawn games too.

Moonlight Cinema Adelaide
All December
Adelaide

Moonlight Cinema is back, bringing the nostalgia of picnics, popcorn and film-watching amongst Australia’s most idyllic inner-city parklands. The original cinema under the stars will return to a new location in Adelaide, setting up at Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka from 26th November 2021 – 16th January 2022. The December program includes new releases, family favourites, retro hits, Hollywood blockbusters you might have missed in COVID and Christmas classics.

QLD

Wildlands Festival
December 26 and 27
Brisbane

Make the most of your time off between Christmas and New Years by putting this new hip hop and electronic festival in your diary.

Joining the esteemed lineup featuring the likes of Golden Features, Lime Cordiale & Spacey Jane will be Crooked Colours, Mallrat, Running Touch, JK-47 and many more! The festival is outdoors, so you can dance the night away in the summer heat.

Don’t worry about food because the festival promises to offer a variety of sustenance meeting all dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan and healthy options. It’s up to you to just bring the good vibes!

Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
Starting December 4
Corner Cavill Ave and The Esplanade

No surprises here. The Surfers Paradise markets will once again be opening up again this December just as they have since 1995. Peruse over 100 stalls at the Gold Coast’s only beachfront night markets.

Everything from scrumptious desserts, locally-made art, hand-created unique fashion and local produce is available at these markets held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evening starting December 4th. This is the perfect place to begin hunting for Christmas gifts!

Flaming Cheese Wheel & Wine Experience
Starting December 22
Surfers Paradise

I mean, if the name itself doesn’t have you sign up, we don’t know what else we can say.
Starting December 22, Salts Meats Cheese is offering its famous risotto cheese wheel demonstration. For $39, watch risotto prepared in a giant wheel of cheese with your choice of either smoked cheese, gorgonzola or truffle pecorino. Enjoy your cheesy dish along with a paired glass of wine and follow it with the restaurant’s dessert of the day.

Talk about taking your Italian food date night to the next level.

ACT

Aussie NightMarkets
December 7 & 8
Thoroughbred Park

The Aussie NightMarkets return to Canberra again this year to offer a range of mouth-watering food trucks, desserts and evening entertainment. Access to this holiday smorgasbord of fun will cost you a mere $1.

Click the “Interested” button on the event’s Facebook page for the chance to win a prize pack of free money to spend and 2 unlimited ride wristbands at the event.

The Amazing Face
Online

The National Portrait Gallery has a free online class to learn the language of portraiture: The Amazing Face.

Over 14 modules, iconic portraits from the NPG Collection are highlighted, and curatorial contexts and artistic insights are shared along with other interactive elements. At the end of your deep dive, use your new knowledge to create a portrait and share it with loved ones and online.

WA

Christmas Lights Cruise
All December
Mandurah

Experience the magic of Christmas this festive season as millions of colourful lights illuminate Mandurah’s luxury canal homes and reflect onto the water. This magical spectacle occurs from December to early January as the residents hold a competition to see who has the best Christmas lights display.

There are waving Santas, snowmen, reindeers and sleds, dolphins, stars, snow globes, Christmas trees, opulent stairways, private jetties, watercraft and more – all sparkling with colour as carols are sung from balconies.

Find out more here.

The Ice Cream Factory Summer Festival
December 3 – January 1
Northbridge

After a one year hiatus from electrifying the pulse of Northbridge, the team behind Perth’s most iconic summer series is back to inject life into the city. The Ice Cream Factory Summer Festival is returning with ten huge nights.

This year promises punters the unrivalled experience that they have come to know and love. With the spirit of an Australian Summer in mind, warm nights, live music, experiential art installations, cultural vibrancy, unique outdoor zones, immersive theming and stages, and a commitment to local creatives, musical artists and businesses – The Ice Factory Summer Festival is ready to welcome all.

Festive Land
Throughout December
Perth Cultural Centre

Festive Land is an exciting holiday carnival coming to the Perth Cultural Centre, outside WA Museum Boola Bardip.

Visit this extravaganza of the senses this festive season with thrilling carnival rides, sideshow alley, must-have show bags, fun holiday activities and delicious festival delights. Enjoy Perth’s ultimate white Christmas with free snowfalls every 30 minutes, Christmas night markets, Santa’s bauble making, gingerbread decorating, food trucks and live entertainment.

NT

Santa Fun on Wheels
December 23
Nightcliff Pool

Bust out your tinsel and Santa hats for this holiday-themed ride along the Nightcliff foreshore. Bikes, trikes, scooters, roller blades, etc are all acceptable and encouraged.

The ride will start and end at the Nightcliff Swimming Pool and free registration for the event includes free entry to the pool for the evening. The ride is scheduled from 4-6, but if you decide to stay around later, you’ll be treated to beautiful Christmas caroling by Darwin City Brass Band.

This family-friendly event is a perfect way to keep the kids entertained in the days leading up to Christmas.

NYE at Darwin Waterfront
December 31

Darwin’s waterfront is a lively place any time of year, but on New Year’s Eve it’s awash with next level festivities including a free outdoor concert and fireworks at 9 pm and midnight.

Bring a picnic and relax on the grass with your nearest and dearest.

TAS

Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Finish
December 31
Hobary

There are few events in Australia that garner as much media attention as the Sydney to Hobart Sydney yacht race. Well-deserved attention, we think, because what could be more epic than gathering to watch yachts race along the Australian coast?

The finale of the race in Hobart is icing on the New Years Eve cake and prompts a day of massive festivities before the yachts even begin to fly in to their finish line. The Hobart Race Village will be bustling with food and drink stalls, live music and activities. It offers great viewing of the finishing yacht race as well as the evening’s fireworks display of fireworks, pretty much making the Hobart Race Village the ideal place to be on the last day of 2019.

Taste of Summer
Princes Wharf, Hobart
December 28 – January 3

The Taste is back at PW1 and it’s more Tasmanian than ever! This year, from Tuesday 28 December to Monday 3 January, we’re bringing together over 80 of Tasmania’s finest food and drink producers and an incredible line up of over 200 of Tassie’s best performing artists.

So come and fill a plate, raise your glass, and celebrate the Taste of Summer.

Launceston Beerfest
Royal Park
December 31

After successfully delivering 3 COVID Safe NYE events across Launceston in 2020, Beerfest brings the celebrations back to Royal Park to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style, delivering two full bodied sessions at the one waterfront location.

Tassie’s ultimate summer extravaganza will kick off its NYE Festivities with a family fun-day session from 11-3.30pm followed by the Fireworks evening session beginning at 5pm.

Both sessions will host a perfectly curated offering of the most diverse and unique premium craft brews, ciders, wines, cocktails complemented by the Tassie’s best street food.

NW Nichemas
December 7
Burnie Arts & Function Centre

In this installment of Tasmania’s ever-popular Niche markets, Albert Hall will transform into a beautiful Christmas market. Sixty stallholders of design gurus and artisans will gather to show off their wares in one place. Buying gifts at this market is doing double the good as it will benefit the charitable cause of Burnie’s Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre, as well as the thrilled recipient of your unique gifts.