In Australia, we may not be walking in a winter wonderland, or be able to hear the sleigh bells ringing. Jack Frost and Frosty the Snowman aren’t making an appearance any time soon, and hot cocoa is the last thing we want to drink. But just because the Christmas carols don’t exactly align with Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere doesn’t mean we don’t know how to do Christmas well. We’ve put together a list of 9 things to do to keep busy this Christmas week, with everything from carolling, markets and non-stop shopping.
Tuesday 22nd December
Southbank Christmas Markets
Our favourite Southbank markets are being tinsel-ified and Christmas carolled. Along the cobbled streets of Stanley Plaza, twinkling decorative lights and the pine fragrance of Christmas trees will make the perfect backdrop for the Christmas-themed markets, whose stalls are also gaily adorned in their best yuletide decorations. Stick around for the fireworks at 8:15pm!
When: 11th-23rd December
Where: Stanley Plaza, Southbank
Wednesday 23rd December
South Bank Christmas Cinema Series
Watching Christmas classics like The Muppet Christmas Carol, Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas and Home Alone is so much more fun with a festive crowd. Enter the South Bank Christmas Cinema Series where you can get comfortable on a beach towel on the sand at South Bank’s Streets Beach and watch the movies on the big screen.
Where: Streets Beach, South Bank
When: 17th – 23rd December
For more information click here
Carseldine Twilight Markets
Carseldine’s first Twilight foodie, farm, & provision Market will open it’s gates the Wednesday before Christmas to meet all your last minute Christmas needs. Located at the former QUT Carseldine campus, the team behind 5 of Brisbane's best markets will transform the site into a Christmas wonderland from 6.30pm - 10pm! Featuring North Pole projections on the campus walls, reindeer installations, an abundance of Mistletoe and, of course, Santa will be making an appearance!
Where: Carseldine Farms and Artisan Markets
When: Wednesday 23rd December
More information here
Non-Stop Shop at Westfield
Westfield Garden City will again join Westfield Chermside to offer ‘Non-Stop-Shop’, with both centres open for 33.5 hours of continuous trade from 8am on 23 December. Last minute Christmas shopping at 3am? Yes please!
Where: Westfield Garden City and Westfield Chermside
When: Wednesday 23rd-Thursday 24th December
Thursday 24th December
Aquila X La Macelleria: A deliciously naughty Christmas collaboration
Aquila Caffé Bar and La Macelleria are teaming up this silly season to produce the most boozy gelato you’ll have this summer! Every Thursday and Friday from 11am they’ll be serving peach sorbetto bellinis, espresso martini’s with Baileys gelato, mojito sorbetto, Aperol Spritz granita, gin + tonic oyster shots with lemon & lime granita… and whatever else we can dream up!
When: Every Thursday and Friday in December
Where: Aquila Caffé Bar
Saturday 26th December
Eat Street Drive-in Movie Cinema
Despite almost everything being closed on Boxing Day, including Eat Street itself, Eat Street’s Drive-in Movie Cinema will still be open and playing your favourites! Doors open at 5:30pm, making it the perfect ending to Boxing Day.
When: Every Friday and Saturday in December
Where: 257 Macarthur Avenue, Hamilton, Brisbane
Tickets: Get yours here!
Sunday 27th December
Woodford Folk Festival
THE event of the Christmas-New Year period this year is the Woodford Folk Festival. This promises to be more exciting than ever with over 2,000 performers and 430 events including an eclectic mix of concerts, dance and comedy sessions over 6 days.
Where: Woodfordia Parklands, Woodford
When: 27th December – 1st January
For more information and to get your tickets, click here
Moonlight Cinema
The much awaited Moonlight Cinema is FINALLY back on the green in New Farm! We’re so excited to set up our beanbags, layer on the aeroguard, and enjoy some advanced screenings, brand new flicks, and classic favourites on the lawns of the iconic New Farm Park behind the Brisbane Powerhouse!
When: 16th December – 6th March
Where: New Farm Park
Tickets: Get yours here!
Don't Miss Out
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
To welcome in the dawning of 2016, Brisbane’s sky will be filled with no less than 5 tonnes of fireworks fired off from 3 barges and 3 city rooftops! There will be two fireworks sessions on offer for the early birds (8:30pm) and the traditionalists (midnight), but you’ll still need to secure your spot early!
Where: South Bank Cultural Forecourt
When: 8:30pm and midnight, 31st December
So Frenchy So Chic
French pop royalty Lou Doillon is hitting town on the 14th of January for So Frenchy So Chic — and to celebrate the launch of her new album Lay Low! Get your tickets here or enter our competition to win a prize that's a Francophile's dream!
When: 14th January
Where: Brisbane Powerhouse
Tickets: Available here
Victoria Bitter One Day International Cricket Series | The Gabba
The world’s most cricket obsessed nations, India and Australia, are coming together to battle it out for one epic day of cricket in Brisbane. Grab the gang, the sunscreen, and get yourself to the Gabba to support the Aussies in what is guaranteed to be fast-paced duel to remember.
When: 15th January
Where: The Gabba
Tickets: Buy yours here!
Noosa Summer Swim Series
Nothing says summer like a dip in the ocean, but why not make good on a few New Year's resolutions and enter into the annual Noosa Swim! Sign up for the ultimate summer ocean swim, and join your fellow racers in one of three events; a 3km, 2km,or a 1km swim (there's even things to do for the little ones!).
Where: Noosa Heads, Sunshine Coast
When: January 30th 2016
For more information click here
Image credit: cherryredmusic.com