Keep the change, ya filthy animal: Christmas has come early.
Macaulay Culkin is bringing Home Alone to Australia this November. Each night, the 1990 film will play on the big screen before Culkin joins a live moderated interview about his time on set, his favourite memories from filming and why the film became a holiday staple.
The Home Alone: A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin tour starts at Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane on Tuesday 24 November. It moves to Melbourne’s Regent Theatre on Friday 27 November and finishes at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Sunday 29 November.
Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern in Home Alone. (Credit: Walt Disney Studios)
Culkin’s appearances as Kevin McCallister in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) transformed him into one of the most successful child actors of all time. And as a Christmas tragic myself, those movies were massive parts of my childhood. I still rewatch them every year, and in 2024 I stayed at The Plaza Hotel in New York City and watched the sequel while eating an insane sundae. A dream come true moment for me.
The Australian tour was announced a day after Culkin’s Emmys tribute to Catherine O’Hara, who played Kevin’s mum, Kate McCallister, in the films. O’Hara died in January at 71. Culkin closed the tribute with: “So she may have forgotten me twice. But we will always remember her."
What tickets cost and when they go on sale
The Home Alone tour is suitable for all ages. (Credit: Walt Disney Studios)
An all-ages event, general sale opens at 11am AEST on Wednesday 23 September.
Silver reserved seating starts at $106.90, gold is $149.90 and platinum is $179.90. Brisbane also has general admission at $106.90.
A limited number of VIP tickets will also be available. The VIP meet and greet costs $399–$415. It includes:
A meet and greet with Culkin
A photo with Culkin, taken by a professional photographer and sent as a link within a week
A VIP laminate and lanyard
Early entry
Read the fine print before you splurge. The VIP package is photo only, with no autographs, and phones aren’t allowed at any point during it.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
Make a weekend of it
Presale opens on 21 September. (Credit: Walt Disney Studios)
Late November is when the capitals start switching on their festive season decorations, and the tour dates line up neatly with it.
The Melbourne show falls on a Friday night, which leaves the whole weekend free to explore the city’s sights. The Myer Christmas windows on Bourke Street usually open in mid-November. Walking them is basically a rite of passage, and it’s free.
In Sydney, the Sunday show lets interstate fans fly in Friday or Saturday and still make work on Monday (just). The Christmas tree in Martin Place usually lights up around late November or early December, so visit that if it’s open by then!
The Brisbane show is on a Tuesday, so it suits locals more than weekenders. But if you do come for a long weekend, there are plenty of things to do around the city to keep you busy.
Wherever you land, pair the show with a Christmas market. Then hand the leftover festive energy to your December watchlist, because Home Alone 2 isn’t going to watch itself.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
Think you know Lismore? Think again. From pop-up feasts to a buzzing nightlife to a thriving arts scene, discover a new side of the Northern Rivers.
Scratch beneath the surface of Lismore and its surrounding villages and you’ll discover a side of the Northern Rivers many travellers don’t expect. Here lies a region bursting with creativity, where vibrant street art, innovative eateries and enriching cultural experiences shape everyday life. Best of all, it’s authentic, and can be enjoyed without the crowds. Here are eight reasons why it deserves a closer look.
1. Nights come to life
Stay out a little longer and experience the vibrant nightlife. (Image: Visit Lismore)
The Lismore region stirs after the sun sets, with wine bars, pub gigs, pop-up dinners and live music events at atmospheric country pubs and halls. The Eltham Hotel is a hinterland institution, its verandah regularly echoing with rootsy live music. Nimbin Bush Theatre’s Sonic Bloom nights bring pop-up dinners, films and DJ sets. The Channon Tavern hosts weekend sessions, while Il Carretto’s pizza nights fill Clunes Cafe on Thursday nights and Bexhill Hall on Fridays. Rider Taco Pop Up also brings a laid-back Mexican feast to Clunes, where guests spread out on the grass or gather in the old hall to share freshly made tacos.
2. A thriving arts and culture scene
Follow the Art & Culture Trail. (Image: Visit Lismore)
The Northern Rivers has long attracted artists, makers and free thinkers, and nowhere is that creative energy more evident than in Lismore and its neighbouring hamlets. The city’s Art & Culture Trail shines a spotlight on the city’s flourishing arts scene, linking galleries, studios and public art across the region. Start at the Lismore Regional Gallery, which has a dynamic mix of contemporary works and community-focused exhibitions. Also keep an eye out for events at The Quad, an open-air space that lights up with live music, projections and family-friendly events. Beyond the city, discover the colourful street murals of Nimbin, browse local art at Blue Knob Gallery or get your hands dirty during a clay workshop at Silt Studio.
For travellers who love discovering independent labels and one-of-a-kind finds, Lismore and its nearby villages offer a treasure trove of boutiques. Here, you’ll find everything from clothes and hand-crafted trinkets to books and homewares, each store reflecting the personality of its makers and curators. Highlights include Hanging Rock Flowers, where seasonal blooms meet beautifully chosen artisan gifts, and Two Ravens Antique and Vintage, where a collection of objects whisper stories of the past. Little Polli and the Blackbird offers whimsical fashion and homewares, while Folk Modern champions eclectic textiles and global finds and Valley of the Craftsmen showcases refined handmade artistry.
4. Diverse food offerings
Settle in for an evening of great drinks and live tunes. (Image: Visit Lismore)
Lismore’s dining scene is celebrated for its paddock-to-plate produce, global cuisines and cafe culture. At Two Mates Brewing small-batch beers are crafted for easy afternoons, often best enjoyed with a food truck bite, while The Levee Lounge and Bar brings a touch of Melbourne-style polish to town, with cocktails and wine served against the hum of live music.
Heritage bones meet a modern buzz at The Bank Cafe & Espresso, while smoked meats and fried chicken take centre stage at The Stockpot Kitchen. Housed in a former butter factory, Channon Tavern is the ideal place to while away the day on the grass by Terania Creek, and the The Eltham Hotel offers an upscale food menu with old school charm.
Find Annies Country Bakery in Modanville on Lismore’s Great Pie Trail, serving award-winning pies, open every day, it’s a great stop on a scenic drive on route to nearby national parks and Rocky Creek Dam. Or pop into Clunes Cafe for regular hosted dinners, each with its own unique flair. Listen to live music while you’re there, and maybe even join in a line dance.
5. Alternative lifestyles reign
Discover a place where freedom, art and community are part of everyday life. (Image: The Legendary Pacific Coast)
This area has long been a free-spirited community, where counterculture values and creative expression shape everyday life. Its roots trace back to the 1973 Aquarius Festival, when thousands gathered in the hills near Nimbin and the one-time dairy town’s once-quiet streets were painted in kaleidoscopic colour. Many never left, establishing communes and laying the foundations of a community built on sustainability and freedom. Events such as the annual Nimbin MardiGrass festival keep its activist, grassroots spirit alive, while continuing to welcome diverse travellers in search of something a little different.
6. Breathtaking nature on the doorstep
Step into a world of ancient forests. (Image: Visit Lismore)
Lismore acts as the gateway to some of Australia’s most spectacular ancient Gondwana rainforests and untouched wilderness. Nearby Nightcap National Park offers UNESCO-listed rainforest walks and waterfalls, while Rocky Creek Dam is a tranquil spot for picnics and birdlife – and you may even spot a platypus if your timing is right. Whian Whian State Conservation Area reveals lush subtropical trails and hidden swimming holes, while the Northern Rivers Rail Trail winds through farmland and forest, passing historic railway bridges along the way.
7. Boutique stays
Experience award-winning eco stays. (Image: Contained in Nimbin)
Accommodation in the Lismore region tends to favour character over gloss, with stays that trade uniform luxury for a stronger sense of place and personality. Lismore Gateway Motel and Invercauld House offer easy comfort close to Lismore CBD, while The Eltham Hotel pairs a lively pub atmosphere with individually designed rooms that reflect the building’s heritage character. Nightcap Ridgesecluded luxury eco retreat and Rummery Park Campground in Whian Whian State Conservation Area, and Contained in Nimbin’s award-winning eco cabins, all bring you closer to nature.
8. Form community connections
Celebrate winter solstice at the Lismore Lantern Parade. (Image: Visit Lismore)
If you are wanting to immerse yourself more in the community, there are some standout events that embrace Lismore’s individuality. Lismore is known for its markets, so they’re a great place to start. The fire twirling at Lismore’s weekly Thursday produce markets makes for a particularly fun spectacle.
