There’s plenty to see and do across the Christmas period. Photo: Thredbo.
Christmas is here and across the regions there is a whole lot of live music, tribute acts, races, special feasts, town-wide Christmas parties and exhibitions to keep you and your family busy.
Thredbo hosts a week-long Christmas celebration festival, with carols, crafts, gingerbread man decorating, face painting and a visit from Santa, as well as Christmas feasts and more.
Narooma/Christmas Cup Race Day is set to be a full day of family fun with food vendors serving coffee, hot dogs, ice cream, doughnuts, pizza and barbecue as well as free kids activities including pony rides, a jumping castle and face painting.
Check out all this and more in this week’s guide to all the best to see and do.
Multiple Days
Drop in and check out artworks from local creatives and enjoy wines from Lerida Estate. Photo: Visit NSW.
Painting the Wine Barrels
When: 19 to 25 December, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Lerida Estate, 87 The Vineyards Road, Lake George
Cost: Free.
The Queanbeyan Art Society (QAS), in partnership with Lerida Estate Winery, is presenting a new exhibition, Painting with Wine Barrels. This exhibition features 45 original paintings, each by a member of the QAS, to be mounted at the ends of Lerida’s wine barrels. This unique blending of wine culture and art will transform the winery’s barrel room into a gallery space. While you’re there, enjoy a coffee, wine tasting or lunch at the estate’s cafe.
Local artist Lucy Culliton shows off never-before-seen works. Image: South East Centre for Contemporary Art.
Lucy Culliton: Close to Home – Exhibition at SECCA
When: 19 to 25 December, during normal gallery hours
Where: South East Centre for Contemporary Art, Zingel Place, Bega
Cost: Free.
Local artist Lucy Culliton has studied the beautiful scenery and picturesque scenes of the Eden-Monaro area since she moved there in 2008, taking in views of broad green plains, flowering gardens and weathered tractors. She has turned that experience of the region’s beauty into artworks, bursting with vibrant colours and balanced composition.
She has received acclaim for her works and she has been a frequent finalist in major art competitions. This is a great opportunity to see some of her previously unseen works.
Thredbo celebrates Christmas all week. Photo: Thredbo.
Thredbo Christmas Carnival
When: 20 to 25 December
Where: Numerous locations across Thredbo
Cost: Ticket prices vary depending on event.
Thredbo village is transforming this Christmas period with plenty of events to get excited for. There will be a main Christmas party in the village square, with crafts, gingerbread man decorating, face painting and a visit from Santa, as well as Christmas feasts, carols, gingerbread house workshops and arts and crafts events.
Christmas is sorted at Thredbo, with heaps of family-friendly fun to get excited for.
Friday
Who will win the Christmas Cup? Photo: Visit NSW.
Goulburn Thoroughbred Racing – Christmas Cup
When: 19 December, noon
Where: Goulburn and District Racing Club, Racecourse Drive, Goulburn
Cost: Adults $15 | Concession $7.50 | Kids under 12 free | Book online.
Head to the Goulburn Racing Club for a full day of races, fashion on the field, food and drink vendors and fun.
This will be the last big race of the year and it’s sure to be one to remember. So whether you want to go cheer on your lucky pick, have a few drinks with mates to finish off the year or just get dressed to the nines, the Christmas Cup is not a day to be missed.
The Steampacket’s live music night is here. Image: Steampacket Hotel Facebook.
Alex Clark at the Steampacket Hotel
When: 19 December, 5 pm
Where: Steampacket Hotel, 963 Kings Highway, Nelligen
Cost: Free.
Alex Clark is a solo acoustic artist and a rising star in the area with an original and eclectic style of performance. Inspired by folk, country, punk and rock, she adapts to each performance, be it in a bar or pub, or at a wedding or winery. She has played alongside acts such as Mental As Anything, Jack Biilmann, The Rolling Stones Show, Gywen Ashton and The Beatles Show. Don’t miss out on this Friday’s live music performance at the Steampacket Hotel.
Get your last-minute presents this weekend at the night market. Image: What’s On Eurobodalla.
Batemans Bay Christmas Night Market
When: 19 December, 6 to 9 pm
Where: Foreshore Park, Batemans Bay
Cost: Free.
Rotary Batemans Bay is hosting its first Christmas Night Market, with heaps of live music and entertainment, Christmas carols from the Sing Australia Choir, a plethora of great food options, coffee, as well as plenty of opportunities for visitors to pick up last-minute Christmas gifts. The market will be along the foreshore, which will provide a beautiful backdrop.
Sunday
The Royal Hotel has Christmas sorted. Photo: Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council.
Christmas Sunday Table at The Upperhouse
When: 21 December, sessions at 11:30 am, noon, 12:30, 1 and 1:30 pm
Where: Royal Hotel Queanbeyan, 85 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan
Cost: Adult $75 | Children under 12 $20 | Book online.
If putting together Christmas lunch is too much of a hassle this year, head to the Royal Hotel Queanbeyan and let the chefs there take care of you.
There will be a relaxed share-style lunch curated by the hotel’s executive chef aimed at creating a day of connection and Christmas joy. The menu will feature sourdough bread, yamba prawns, oysters, as well as Christmas ham, turkey breast, potato salad and more.
A full day of races and family-friendly fun awaits. Photo: Moruya Jockey Club.
Narooma/Christmas Cup Race Day
When: 21 December, gates open from noon, last race at 5:30 pm
Where: Moruya Jockey Club, 100 Donnelly Dr, Moruya
Cost: Free entry.
Don’t miss the Narooma/Christmas Cup Race Day this weekend. There will be food vendors serving coffee, hot dogs, ice cream, doughnuts, pizza and barbecue as well as free kids activities including pony rides, a jumping castle and face painting.
There will be fashions on the field with categories for best dressed boys and girls, best dressed adults and best dressed couples. There will also be a DJ performing between races.
With thousands of shows and dozens of countries under their belt, they’re finally coming to Batemans Bay. Photo: Visit NSW.
The Australian Bee Gees Show – Batemans Bay
When: 21 December, 3 pm
Where: Bay Pavilions, 12 Vesper Street, Batemans Bay
Cost: Tickets from $60 to $65 | Book online.
With more than 6500 appearances in more than 55 countries, The Australian Bee Gees Show has been amazing crowds with its talent and energy for 24 years. When the members are not performing in their Vegas residency, they’re touring around the world and this Sunday they’re coming to Batemans Bay for one night, performing the Bee Gees’ greatest hits such as More Than A Woman, Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive and How Do You Mend A Broken Heart.
