Nine things to do in the regions this week (1 - 7 December)

It’s December, which means the festive season has started!

This coming week will see three days of Christmas fun in Tilba, several Christmas-themed markets and the annual Christmas tree lighting in Yass.

But of course, there’s other things planned! The National Cherry Festival will also be returning to the streets of Young for another year, while a garden-themed market day in Bookham will have plenty of things to browse, eat or drink. The actors from Lieder Theatre Company in Goulburn will be starting their run of an adaption of The Witches by Roald Dahl, Karise Eden will be taking to the stage at a Gundaroo winery and a Jindabyne author will talk about her work.

Multiple days

A Very Tilba Christmas

When: 1 to 3 December, various times
Where: Various locations in Tilba
Cost: Free entry (1 and 2 December); tickets start at $10 and are available at eventbrite (3 December).

Embrace the start of the Christmas season with three days of Christmas festivities. The fun will start with a fashion parade, music performances and an art show on Friday evening (1 December). Saturday (2 December) will see a visit from Father Christmas himself from 5 pm – but before that, there will be buskers, market stalls and food vans, activities for children and performances from Rhys the Trickster. It will all come to a close on Sunday (3 December) with a range of workshops – covering baking, painting, cheese and wine pairings, ceramics and more – throughout the day.

National Cherry Festival

When: 1 to 3 December, events at various times
Where: Various locations around Young; see program
Cost: Some events have an entry cost while others are free; see program.

This annual festival is the cherry on the region’s cake! In 2023, it is set to feature live music performances, fireworks, an annual photographic competition, a Lego exhibition, poetry performances, a pip spit competition, markets with local producers and makers and much more. And if you want to take home some of the stone fruit (or just snack on some) there are plenty of chances to pick your own cherries at the orchards around Wombat and Young.

The Witches from Lieder Theatre

When: 1 to 16 December, various times
Where: The Lieder Theatre, 52 Goldsmith Street, Goulburn
Cost: Dependent on if tickets are booked for the charity night (1 December) or the other performances – available via TryBooking.

Roald Dahl’s The Witches is coming to Goulburn! Adapted for the stage by David Wood and directed by Annie Bilton, it tells the story of a Grand High Witch who comes to England with a dastardly plan – to turn all children into mice.

Friday

Yass Valley Council Christmas tree lighting

When: 1 December, 6:15 to 7:15 pm
Where: In front of Soldiers Memorial Hall, 82-94 Comur Street, Yass
Cost: Free entry.

There won’t be snow, but Comur Street will become like the North Pole as Yass Valley Council kicks off its Christmas celebrations. Friday evening will see the annual lighting of the Christmas tree, and Zara Alice, winner of the 2023 ACT Busking Competition in Canberra, will be performing live.

Saturday

Merchant Campbell Garden Market Day

When: 2 December, 2 to 6 pm
Where: Talmo, 142 Talmo Road, Bookham
Cost: Free entry.

Margot Shannon, owner of Merchant Campbell, is hosting a garden party – and you’re on the invite list! Head out to her property in Bookham for an afternoon with a packed schedule: a cake stall, handmade Christmas decorations, sculptures by artists from regional NSW, a book stall and much more. There will also be chances to meet local artisans and producers, who will be on hand with their products. Refreshments will be available from a coffee van on site.

Tarago Christmas Festival and Market

When: 2 December, 4 to 8 pm
Where: Tarago Town Hall, 18 Wallace Street, Tarago
Cost: Free entry.

People from far and wide are invited to Tarago for some shopping for the special people in their life. There will be a range of market stalls. Adding to the fun will be free face painting, wine tastings, gelato and a barbecue to make sure no one walks away with an empty belly. And if you’re lucky, you’ll take home a prize for the best Christmas-themed outfit (and if you need ideas, we say start with something red or green).

Milton Village Showground Christmas Market

When: 2 December, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Milton Showground, 107 Croobyar Road, Milton
Cost: Free entry.

We know there’s a lot going on at this time of year – so this might make your Christmas shopping easier. There will be more than 80 stallholders with their wares, including handmade items, pottery, candles, fresh food products such as honey and eggs, vintage clothing and more. If you work up a hunger or thirst while shopping, check out the barbecue from the Milton Lions Club with bacon and egg rolls and sausage and onion sandwiches, and the Milton Catholic Parish and Rising from the Ashes Community Outreach Projects will also be fundraising for their efforts.

Sunday

Karise Eden at Tallagandra Hill

When: 3 December, 6:30 to 10 pm (food service from 5:45 pm)
Where: Tallagandra Hill Winery, 1692 Murrumbateman Road, Gundaroo
Cost: Tickets cost $48.60 each (must be purchased as a minimum of two), and are available via eventbrite.

Karise Eden has gone from making a viral YouTube video to receiving multiple awards – and now she’s coming to Gundaroo as part of Tallagandra Hill’s ongoing We Love Local Festival, which supports Australian artists and producers. She is set to sing some of her own music, along with covers of songs that have influenced her during her career. The show will be held indoors, with food and drinks available for purchase (no outside food or drinks will be allowed).

Thursday

Author Talk with Gabbie Stroud

When: 7 December, 6 to 8 pm
Where: Jindabyne Library, 1 Thredbo Terrace
Cost: Free entry, though registration by calling the library on (02) 6451 1655 or by emailing [email protected] is essential.

Gabbie Stroud grew up on a farm in Jindabyne, and she’s sitting down at the local library for a chat about her work, including her best-selling memoir Teacher and novel The Things That Matter Most. This conversation will cover things like her experience as a teacher, what it’s like to be an author and her books.