There are plenty of great celebrations across the festive season. Photo: Thredbo.
The regions are celebrating the holiday break and there’s so much to see and do, with plenty of live music, new year’s celebrations, art exhibitions, workshops, rodeos, carnivals and more.
Moruya’s rodeo is on again this New Year’s Day, with a massive prize pool of more than $25,000 to be won across a full day of bucking bulls, barrel racing, saddle bronc and bareback events.
Bells Family Carnival comes to Batemans Bay, with heaps of rides, games, food stalls and family-friendly fun.
There are also plenty of New Year’s Eve parties to enjoy, from waterfront celebrations with DJs to 1920s-themed parties with three-course dinners.
Multiple Days
Bells Family Carnival is bringing family-friendly fun to the Eurobodalla. Photo: What’s On Eurobodalla.
Bells Family Carnival
When: 26 December to 8 January, 7 to 10 pm
Where Corrigans Beach Reserve, Beach Road, Batehaven
Cost: $50 for unlimited rides.
Bells Family Carnival is a beloved part of the Batemans Bay event scene. The Bells family has been putting on the carnival for generations and for the next month, it finds its home in Batehaven. Check out their rides, games and food stalls, prepare to laugh and scream on the carnival rides or get in the competitive spirit and go against family in some of the games. It’s a great family event suitable for all ages that’s been touring Australia for decades. Don’t miss out!
Challenge your kids this summer with the reading club. Image: Humanitix.
Kids Summer Reading Club 2025 – Goulburn Library
When: 26 December to 8 January
Where: Goulburn Mulwaree Library, 184/194 Bourke St, Goulburn
Cost: Free | Bookings essential.
The Goulburn Library is running a summer reading club this December through to the end of January, encouraging kids to pick up a book and explore new worlds this summer.
Suitable for kids from three to 12 years old, this reading challenge rewards young readers with Scout badges, lucky dip prizes and a grand prize draw at the end.
Register your child’s name, then the age and library card number and then show the resulting ticket to a library staff member to collect a welcome goodie bag and all the challenge info.
The goodie bag includes a Scout adventure pack, a reading log, achievement badges and stickers.
There’s no better way for a kid to spend the school holidays than sitting in front of a book (or several!)
Celebrate local artistic talent this summer. Image: Grimm Hewitt Art Gallery.
‘ART in the Dining Room’ at Harbourview House, Bermagui
When: 27 December to 8 January, opening night on 27 December from 5 to 7 pm
Where: Harbourview House, 56-58 Lamont Street, Bermagui
Cost: Free entry.
This exhibition at the Harbourview House features a new collection of watercolours exploring the vibrant colours and unique sights and textures of Australia’s landscapes, especially coastal ones. Fresh canvas paintings showcasing the beauty of the South Coast will also be shown alongside prints and cards available of existing works.
Opening night is on 27 December, from 5 to 7 pm, with drinks and light refreshments on offer while members of the public and art aficionados enjoy the works.
The Steampacket is the best spot for live music on the coast. Photo: Steampacket Hotel.
Live Music at the Steampacket Hotel over the Holidays
When: 27 December, 5 pm; 1 January, 1 pm; and 3 January, 5 pm
Where: Steampacket Hotel, 963 Kings Hwy, Nelligen
Cost: Free.
The Steampacket Hotel has a whole lot of live music over the summer, providing the perfect background tunes for lazy afternoons spent in the beer garden.
Blues artist Moondog will be performing on 27 December, bringing his mastery of the blues harmonica and guitar to the Steampacket, along with his rich vocal talent and experience performing in the American South, where blues was born.
On the first day of the new year, singer-songwriter Tim Thomson will perform a range of covers and original tunes. He will also take requests.
On 3 January, blues/rock/funk performer James Southwell will present his unique blend of powerful riffs and heartfelt vocals.
Saturday
Thredbo hosts its popular Summer Music Series. Photo: Thredbo.
Thredbo Summer Music Series ft. Jack Biilmann
When: 27 December, 4 to 7 pm
Where: The Alpine Bar, Thredbo Alpine Hotel, 8 Friday Drive, Thredbo
Cost: Free.
The Thredbo Summer Music Series is back at the Alpine Hotel, with a full line-up of great musicians over the Christmas break.
This week’s session of laid-back music is from Jack Biilmann, who will perform his usual blend of intricate finger-style riffs, fast blues licks and raw vocals. His style is technically impressive and emotionally resonant, providing the perfect backdrop for an evening spent at the Alpine Bar, taking in the fresh air and enjoying some cold ones.
Monday
Inspire your kids this summer with an abstract painting workshop. Image: Humanitix.
Abstract Painting on Canvas Workshop – Kids and Teens
When: 29 December, 1 to 3 pm
Where: Glennos House, 31 Narambi Close, Moruya
Cost: Tickets are $45 | Book online.
This hands-on workshop is perfect for young artists from seven years old and up to learn new skills and techniques through artistic exercises.
Each participant will create their own artwork on a 36 x 45 cm canvas to take home, exploring shape, colour, mark-making and layering to build a sense of artistic confidence and creativity.
Participants need no experience to take part; all they need to do is show up with a curious mind and a willingness to learn about expression on the canvas.
Wednesday
Broulee’s beach transforms into a sand sculpture gallery this NYE. Photo: Broulee Surf School.
Broulee Sand Modelling Competition
When: 31 December, arrival from 2 pm, event starts at 3 pm
Where: North Broulee Beach, Broulee
Cost: Entry $10 to $20 | Registration available at the beach or online.
Broulee’s Sand Modelling Competition brings together the whole community for a friendly competition to see who can create the most awe-inspiring sandcastle or sand sculpture.
There are two divisions, with the junior division open to 12-year-olds and under for $10, with a max of four per team using only plastic tools. The top three finalists will receive prizes from local businesses.
Then, in the open division, anyone aged over 12, with a maximum of four per team, can use any tools they wish to form their creation. This event has a $20 entry fee and cash prizes for the top three finalists.
Get out in the sun for this family-friendly competition.
Celebrate the coming of the new year at Yazzbar. Photo: Yazzbar.
New Year’s Eve at Yazzbar
When: 31 December, 6:30 pm to 12:30 am
Where: Yazzbar, 81 Comur Street, Yass
Cost: Tickets $128 | Book online.
The new year is almost here and Yazzbar is celebrating the right way with a special party.
Dress up in your most dapper 1920 attire and head to the Yazzbar for an evening of great drinks, music and good company. There will be a glass of bubbles on arrival, a three-course meal and live entertainment. Say farewell to 2025, get ready for the year ahead and create some memories at Yazzbar’s New Year’s Eve party.
New year’s celebrations on the waterfront. Image: Humanitix.
New Year’s Eve at the Moruya Waterfront Hotel
When: 31 December, from 7 pm to 1 January, 12:30 am
Where: Moruya Waterfront Hotel Motel, 1-5 Princes Hwy, Moruya
Cost: Tickets are $40 | Book online.
Moruya’s Waterfront Hotel is keen to put on its second annual New Year’s Eve party following a roaring success last year which sold out.
Bring in the new year with an open-air beer garden by the river with BAE Lights and Sound on board, along with a KV2 sound rig and live lighting show.
The line-up of DJs includes Exposure, You’re Welcome, Milsy, Jmac, Another Luke and Usual Suspect DJs.
It sold out last year so don’t miss out and book now.
Thursday
The Moruya Rodeo is back this New Year’s Day. Photo: Richard Irwin Imagery.
Moruya Rodeo
When: 1 January, 4 to 9:30 pm
Where: Moruya Showground, Albert St, Moruya
Cost: Tickets from $15 to $30 | Children under 9 free | Book online.
The rodeo association presents its biggest event – the Moruya New Year’s Day rodeo.
More than $25,000 of prizes are available across a full day of rodeo events, including bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc and bareback. There will be hot food, sweets, ice cream trucks and market stalls selling western wear. There will also be a rodeo clown presenting some classic antics.
Expect live music after the rodeo, with country music lighting up the night. Don’t miss out on the best way to start 2026 on the coast.
Friday
Start the year off right at the raceway. Photo: Visit NSW.
Goulburn Harness Racing
When: 2 January, noon to 6 pm
Where: Goulburn Recreation Area, 47 Braidwood Road, Goulburn
Cost: Free
The Goulburn Raceway hosts harness racing this week, offering an exciting start to the year with photo finishes, exceptional horsemanship and high stakes. Just a few minutes from the city centre, there’s no reason not to head out this week and enjoy the races.
Get dressed up, sit in the shade with a few cold ones and some mates and start the new year off right.
Sunday
Get out and about this summer at the botanic gardens. Photo: Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens.
Discovery walk – Batemans Bay
When: 4 January, 10 to 11 am
Where: Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden, Deep Creek Dam Road, Batemans Bay
Cost: Free.
The Botanic Gardens is opening up its grounds for guided discovery walks on Sunday, inviting curious members of the public to get out and about in the summer sun.
Discoverers for the day will keep their eye out for hopping frogs, colourful birds and assorted wildlife, all while learning about what lives under, in and on the local flora.
