Sing your favourite holiday melodies with your favourite Aussie stars at Carols In The Domain or take the kids out for a fun family day at the Christmas Wonderland.
FAMILY
CAROLS IN THE DOMAIN
The star-studded Christmas concert is back for its 36th year boasting Aussie talents such as Isaiah Firebrace, Mark Vincent, Samantha Jade, Todd McKenney, Troy Cassar-Daley and more. This festive favourite is expected to attract almost 50,000 revellers to The Domain while millions will be watching on from home. While all the action is on next Saturday, you can get a sneak peek of the show and help raise money for a good cause by attending the rehearsal this Friday night. Seats For Salvos tickets are available now for $12-$60, giving you VIP seats at the rehearsal while helping to raise funds for The Salvation Army’s crucial work. Next Saturday, you can take the family early to enjoy the Christmas carnival which starts at midday, or just arrive in time for the main event at 7.45pm. Just bring your picnic rug and you’re ready to go.
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FOAMFEST
If you are not afraid to get messy in the name of fun then the Foamfest obstacle course is the place to be this weekend. The 5km course has 22 exciting obstacles including the world’s largest inflatable waterslide, mud pits, a chamber of foam, rope climbs and more. Join in the fun today and tomorrow at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park. Tickets are $72.96-$97.96
Foamfest, the5kfoamfest.com
TREASURES ILLUMINATED
The Australian Museum’s new light and sound show combines cutting-edge technology and science with history and art. Images will be projected on to the floor of the newly renovated Westpac Long Gallery, with visitors getting a bird’s eye view of the action from the balconies above. The seven-minute show includes vivid animations that look at the stories behind the museum’s various artefacts. There are two shows daily and entry is free with the general admission fee.
Treasures Illuminated, australianmuseum.net.au
XMAS WONDERLAND
The Sydney Showground is set to transform into a Christmas wonderland from today until Christmas Eve. The general admission fee of $40 gives you access to an unlimited number of rides plus ice skating, activities, shows and more. For the little ones, there is an interactive playland with crafts and also an inflatable world to explore and bounce in.
Christmas Wonderland 2018 at Sydney Showground, christmaswonderlandsydneyshowground.com.au
MUSIC
FESTIVE TUNES
With just 10 days left until Christmas, enjoy the countdown with a song or two. A range of choirs including the Australian Girls Choir, Aurora Choralis and the Sydney Philharmonia will be performing carols and festive songs to delight audiences as they shop, dine or simply stroll through Martin Place in the CBD every night between 6pm and 8pm.
Choirs In The City, cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
HAYDN’S FAREWELL
The Australian Haydn Ensemble orchestra is bidding goodbye to 2018 in style. Pinchgut Opera director Erin Helyard, a regular collaborator with the ensemble, will direct an orchestral program of Haydn, Mozart and Bach. The closing piece, Haydn’s dynamic Farewell Symphony (Symphony No. 45), is sure to be a highlight as its message of going home to family is just perfect for the holiday season. The concert is tomorrow afternoon at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Tickets $25-$75.
Haydn’s Farewell, australianhaydn.com.au
FILM
CHRISTMAS CLASSIC
Palace Cinemas is hosting a special screening of Tim Burton’s 1994 classic The Nightmare Before Christmas with a complimentary welcome drink from Young Henrys, delicious nibbles and a Christmas-themed Instagram booth on December 19 at Central Park Mall.
Tickets are $15.
Central Park Mall Christmas Films, palacecinemas.com.au
FOOD AND DRINKS
ITALIAN FEAST
Looking for a fancy carolling session instead of the classic picnic on the grass this year? Fratelli Fresh is hosting Christmas carols at its Darling Harbour restaurant this Wednesday.
There will be a live band belting out all the favourite festive tunes and guests are invited to join the fun, with a drink in hand.
Very Merry Christmas Carols, fratellifresh.com.au
ROSE LUNCH
Relax and soak in the season’s festivities with a glass of pink bubbles in hand at Sake restaurant and bar’s lavish rose champagne lunch on Saturday and Sunday every week from 12pm. You get two hours of unlimited Ruinart rose champagne and dishes to share, including roasted scallops, lobster tail tempura and Rangers Valley black angus striploin.
You will also get Sake’s signature dragon egg dessert, made with white chocolate, mandarin, crystallised ginger and almonds. Lunch costs $199 per person at the Double Bay restaurant.
Rose lunch at Sake Restaurant & Bar Double Bay, sakerestaurant.com.au
ROSETTA LONG LUNCH
Celebrate Saturday with delicious dishes and a drink — or a few if you wish — at Rosetta Ristorante in The Rocks. The fresh seasonal menu includes fusilli with zucchini, pine nuts, mint and stracchino; roast spring lamb with peperonata; grilled market fish with salmoriglio and a traditional torta di verona to finish. The long lunch costs $70 per person and includes a drink on arrival, or you can add a two-hour beverage package for a total of $99 per person. The Long Lunch is available every Saturday from now.
Rosetta Long Lunch, rosettarestaurant.com.au
ART
SYDNEY REIMAGINED
Celebrate the spirit of Sydney and especially its harbour in 130 beautiful artworks by nine Australian artists including Ken Done, Adrian Feint, Ethel Carrick-Fox, Nicholas Harding and Michael Johnson at this new exhibition spread across Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Mosman Art Gallery and SH Ervin Gallery. From now until March 17.
Destination Sydney Reimagined, mosmanartgallery.org.au
SHARKS AND HUMANITY
The fascinating and thought-provoking On Sharks & Humanity exhibit unites 30 artists from around the world with a strong environmental message about the need to protect sharks. It features leading Chinese contemporary artists, Australian indigenous artists and photographs and artefacts from ocean environmentalist Valerie Taylor — along with large outdoor installations. It’s on at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour from now until June 2, 2019. Entry is free.
On Sharks & Humanity, anmm.gov.au
BRIGHT FUTURES
The Australian Design Centre is celebrating the talent of 12 emerging designers with this new exhibition of jewellery, textiles, graphics, interactive and spatial design — all created with social and environmental impacts in mind. The exhibition, in partnership with UNSW Art & Design, is on at the Australian Design Centre in Darlinghurst from now until January 23. Entry is free.
Designing Bright Futures 2018, australiandesigncentre.com
BOTANICAL MUSEUM
Plant-lovers can get a rare insight into botanical history as collections that have been boxed up for 50 years are unveiled, when the Ethnobotanical Museum displays its original collection. The Red Box Gallery exhibition, in the National Herbarium, also showcases the staff who work behind the scenes. The exhibition is now open until December 21.
Botanical Museum: Old And New Science, rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
HOW CITIES WORK
This interactive family exhibition is the perfect opportunity to get the kids involved in art. It will explore the very depths of Sydney — from the smallest corners to the tallest skyscrapers. There will be sensory activities and dynamic animations to capture the sights and sounds of the city. The exhibition is an adaptation of Lonely Planet Kids’ book of the same name and has been created in collaboration with the book’s illustrator James Gulliver Hancock. It will be on at the Museum of Sydney from today. Entry is complimentary with the museum entry fee.
How Cities Work, sydneylivingmuseums.com.au
KIDS
SANTA AT THE SYDNEY TOWER
For something unique for the Santa photo this year, head up to the Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck where Father Christmas will be decked out in weather-appropriate attire — including shorts, sunnies and thongs — and with an Aussie backdrop of surfboard and Esky, and of course the stunning city skyline to make this Christmas truly memorable. Photos with Aussie Santa are available from now until December 23.
A Fair Dinkum Aussie Christmas At Sydney Tower Eye, sydneytowereye.com.au
CAROLS UNDER THE BRIDGE
It’s hard to find a better place to celebrate an Aussie Christmas than under the city’s iconic Harbour Bridge. The fun community event attracts around 5000 people to the foreshores of Kirribilli for a family-friendly celebration with live jazz, face painting, craft, games and a
photo booth before the carols kick off at 7pm. There will also be food and drink vendors and nativity animals on site tonight at Bradfield Park in Milsons Point.
Carols Under The Bridge, cbtb.org.au
SANTA’S WORKSHOP
Let the jolly man in red teach the kids the art of making creative gifts using various art mediums, natural materials and techniques for the perfect present they can take home. Dressing up is encouraged and tickets include all art materials. It’s suitable for kids aged five to 12, today at The Wild Play Discovery Centre in Centennial Park. Tickets $39.
Santa’s Saturday Workshop, centennialparklands.com.au
XMAS LIGHTS DELIGHT
Pitt St Mall will transform into a magical canopy of lights to add a sparkle to your shopping trip, with 94,000 lights suspended in the air — so be sure to take the youngsters with you as you tick off the gift wish lists.
Boulevard Of Lights, pittstreetmall.com.aupittstreetmall.com.aupittstreetmall.com.au
KIDS CLUB
Children can learn the true meaning of Christmas while having fun at this two-day kids club. Suited to primary school kids, there will be singing, craft and group activities that unpack the importance of the holiday and traditions. It’s on December 20 and 21 at Barneys in Ultimo. Tickets $25-$40 per day.
Jungle Bells Christmas Kids Club, barneys.org.au
LUNA PARK
Christmas spirit is in the air inside the magical world of Luna Park and visitors now have the chance to get a snap with Santa. He’ll be appearing daily from now until Christmas Eve for photographs — but unlike the traditional Christmas shot, you get the iconic Sydney Harbour as a backdrop as well as the park’s beloved ferris wheel. The photography packages start from $9.95. And in the spirit of giving, Luna Park is also offering two free passes to watch The Grinch to the first 100 people to purchase a Gold Annual Pass (costing $129) this month.
Luna Park Sydney’s Santa Experience, lunaparksydney.com
MARKETS
EUROPEAN MARKETS
Get a taste of the Polish festive season in Sydney’s inner west. The European Christmas Markets will have about 25 stalls offering goods including Slavic clothing, accessories, homewares and stationeries. You can also try delicious Polish doughnuts, pierogi (dumplings), paczki (potato pancakes) and more to keep you energised while you shop. As well, there will be a pop-up Zubrowka vodka bar serving shots of cold Zubrowka with a slice of apple or a dash of apple juice. For the younger crowd, kids can enjoy face painting and craft activities. This free event will be hosted at The Polish Club in Ashfield tomorrow.
European Christmas Markets, polishclub.net.au
THE CANNERY MARKETS
The Cannery in Rosebery will tomorrow bring together more than 40 indoor and outdoor stalls. Santa will be roaming about the historic precinct and available for pictures with the kids. To keep the children occupied while you shop, there will also be a jumping castle, craft activities and a gingerbread house workshop (at a cost of $27.46, bookings required). Market entry is free.
The Cannery Christmas Markets, canneryrosebery.com.au
