We made it! It’s the last month of 2019 and we can hardly believe it. While Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities are sure to be filling your calendar to the brim, make sure you save room for all of these other epic December events popping up on the Sunshine Coast.
Sunshine Coast Colour Frenzy
Need a little extra coaxing to go for a walk or run? The Sunshine Coast Colour Frenzy is just the thing. It’s a 1.25km loop track with multiple colour zones set up along the way—and the best part is you can do one, two, three or all four laps of the course, and there’s no timing or pressure... so you can go like a bull out of the gate, or take your sweet time and colour yourself silly. It’s bound to be a morning of fun and frivolity with market stalls, free face painting and a jumping castle. Good times!
When: Sunday 1 December from 7am to 10am
Where: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina
Cost: From $30
Paint And Sip
Paint & Sip sessions are set to be your new guilty pleasure, where you can tap into your inner Picasso while indulging in your favourite wine. Now, that’s totally our jam! Each week, The Art Hub invites a local artist to take you step-by-step through the featured painting (or you can paint your own masterpiece if the creative juices are flowing!) All of your art materials are supplied, including a 40cm x 50cm canvas for you to take home, all you need to do is BYO wine!
When: Every Saturday from 7pm to 9.20pm
Where: The Art Hub, Bulcock Street, Caloundra
Cost: From $45
Christmas Carols
Get in the festive spirit by kicking back and belting out Christmas carols at the top of your lungs! There are various carols by candlelight events held across the Coast in December, most kicking off with twilight markets and concluding with fireworks. Here are some of the biggest events—don’t forget to BYO picnic rug. Peregian Beach Christmas carols on 1 December from 3pm to 8pm at Peregian Beach Park; Carols at Cotton Tree on 7 December from 4.30pm to 8pm at Cotton Tree Park; Yandina Christmas Carols under the stars on 8 December from 6pm to 8.30pm at Yandina Historic House; Buderim Community Carols by candlelight on 8 December from 6pm at Buderim Village Park; Coolum Christmas in the Park on 14 December from 7pm to 9pm at Tickle Park; Carols on Kings on 14 December from 4.30pm to 8pm at Kings Beach Amphitheatre; Glasshouse Country Community Carols on 14 December from 4.30pm to 8.30pm at Beerwah Sports Grounds; and Noosa Carols by candlelight on 15 December from 7pm to 9pm at Noosaville Lions Park.
Free Yoga Sessions
Channel your inner yogi and welcome summer with open arms at Lululemon’s free yoga sesh. Held every Sunday at the Sunshine Plaza store, connect with your mind, body and soul. Why not bring your friends along? The more the merrier. Yoga mats are provided.
When: Every Sunday from 9.15am to 10.15am
Where: Lululemon, Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore
Cost: Free
Nights On Ocean Carnivale Twilight Markets
Nights On Ocean is a feast for the senses. A smorgasbord of international street food, stalls of handcrafted goods and epic live music. Fill up on all of the good stuff at the markets, or use it as the ultimate amuse-bouche before settling into dinner at one of Maroochydore’s best restaurants or bars—they’re getting in on the action too, with featured cocktails and dishes.
When: Friday 6 December from 5pm to 9pm
Where: Ocean Street, Maroochydore
Cost: Free entry
Yin And Gin
The perfect combination of naughty and nice in the lead up to Christmas, Yin & Gin brings together yoga and thirst-quenching alcoholic beverages for one session only. Held at The Rooftop Bar, overlooking Maroochydore, this wellness event is one of the best things to do on the Sunshine Coast this December. Join in for a super-chilled, 90-minute deep stretch yin class, while you sip on gin cocktails, followed by more cocktails, sharing platters and a catch-up. Add to that those epic sunset views, and we can’t think of a better mid-week pick-me-up.
When: Wednesday 11 December, from 5.45pm to 8.45pm
Where: The Rooftop Bar & Garden, 8 Maroochydore Road, Maroochydore
Cost: From $65
Shaka
Here on the Sunshine Coast, we are at one with the ocean, so whether you’re into surfing or not, Shaka is a must-see. Featuring breathtaking vision of mountains and waves, Shaka follows snowboarding world champ, Mathieu Crepel, on his quest to surf some of the world’s most challenging breaks. Filmed at iconic locations in Hawaii, Italy, Oregon, Indonesia, and around Mathieu’s home in the Southwest of France, Shaka also introduces you to surf and snowboarding legends Koa and Eddie Rothman, Guillaume Nery, Kepa Acero, Gerry Lopez, Victor Daviet and Nathan Fletcher. Surf’s up, dudes!
When: Thursday 12 December to Saturday 14 December
Where: BCC Cinemas Maroochydore and Noosa
Solar Nights
Light up your night at the Sunshine Coast’s largest light trail. This free event was wildly popular last year, so USC has brought it back for all to enjoy again. Featuring a sea of captivating light displays, Solar Nights is a celebration of sustainable energy, creativity, the environment and community—thanks to the installation of more than 6000 solar panels at the uni, which power a “water battery” and cut their energy use by 40%. After checking out the trail, you will no doubt be feeling peckish, so hit up the collection of food trucks serving loaded fries, Mexican cuisine, donuts, ice cream and more. This is definitely one for the big kids and little kids!
When: Friday 13 December to Sunday 22 December, from 6.30pm to 9pm
Where: University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs
Handmade Expo Market
Held just in time for Christmas, Handmade Expo Market is exclusively handmade (yes, that’s right, everything is handmade, hand baked or hand grown). So, definitely drop by to check out the goods, if you need to pick up a few last-minute pressies for family and friends.
When: Sunday 15 December from 9am to 1pm
Where: Noosa Leisure Centre, Wallace Drive, Noosaville
Cost: Free entry
M.V. Catalina Takeover With Locale
Two of Noosa’s finest are coming together for one super summery event, Lunch On The Water. The pairing will see chefs from Locale (one of the Noosa’s best restaurants) climb aboard M.V. Catalina for an Italian feast, complete with international wines, craft beer and cider.
When: Saturday 21 December, from 10.30am to 1pm
Where: M.V. Catalina, Noosa River
Cost: $125.17
The Food Truck Roll Up
From fresh and zesty tacos to saucy, sloppy burgers and everything in between, the Sunshine Coast food truck scene is on fire, which makes The Food Truck Roll Up one of the best events to hit in December. And because Christmas is super close, expect festive vibes galore.
When: Sunday 22 December, from 3pm to 7pm
Where: Club Mooloolaba, 60-70 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba
Tequila Party At Pier 33
A brand new Sunshine Coast tequila brand is launching this December with an awesome and totally free event at one of our favourite spots. Pier 33 will be hosting this epic fiesta, which will see Volando Tequila propelled into the world via spirit tastings, cocktail creations and four specialty bars. Raid your wardrobe for something a little smart to wear, then prepare to spend the summery afternoon soaking up those Mexican-inspired vibes.
When: Sunday 22 December, from 1pm to 8pm
Where: Pier 33, Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba
Cost: Free, but guests must register for tickets here.
Woodford Folk Festival
Woodford Folk Festival is a major event on the calendar and something we look forward to every December. This year, there are a whopping 2000+ performers and over 430 events featuring local, national and international guests including Kate Miller-Heidke, Emma Louise, Kasey Chambers, Lior, Horrorshow and The Herd. But as regulars to Woodfordia know, it’s not just about the music; attend one of the speaker and panel discussions, or check out their circus and cabaret program. It’s unreal! And with endless stalls and food offerings, you could easily fill your days wandering around the site—this has got to be one of the best things to do on the Sunshine Coast this month.
When: Friday 27 December to Tuesday 1 January
Where: Woodfordia
Cost: Day passes from $130
New Year’s Eve
It’s one of the biggest nights of the year, and there are loads of events on, so there’s no excuse to park yourself on the couch and bring in the New Year all on your lonesome. The folks at Malt Shovel Taphouse are throwing a Brew Year’s Eve celebration from 6pm to 11pm; hit the Mooloolaba Esplanade for free fun from 4pm, where there will be live music, DJ sets and fireworks; Mooloolaba Surf Club is hosting a top-floor cocktail party from 7.30pm to 12.30am; watch the midnight fireworks from the best vantage point on the Sunshine Coast—aboard Whale One, which departs Mooloolaba Wharf at 9.30pm; Sunshine Coast Afloat is putting on two epic cruises, one from 7pm to 9pm, which is more suited to families catching the 8.30pm fireworks, and the second cruise from 9.45pm to 12.45am is an intimate affair, with just 23 passengers on board; if you at the southern end of the Coast, head to the Kings Beach Amphitheatre and Lions Park for food stalls, fireworks and entertainment from 4pm to 9.30pm; or celebrate in style at The Long Apron in Montville with a stunning six-course dinner with matched wines and live music from 6pm to 11pm. Happy New Year!
Image credit: Karina