The most wonderful time of the year is fast approaching as the Canberra region comes alive with the festive spirit.
There are so many great events, performances and markets you would need to have flying reindeer to be able to attend them all!
NOVEMBER
Naughty or Nice?
A Burlesque Vaudeville Christmas Spectacular invites you to take down a different kind of Christmas stocking in this tantalising spectacle.
Tickets $20, The Duxton, O’Connor, Friday 24 November 7.30pm; humanitix.com.au
Hall Village Christmas Fair
A fun-filled not-for-profit community event created to support local small businesses, artisans and entertainers with performances, car display and festive markets stalls.
Entry by gold coin donation, Hall Showground, Saturday 25 November 10am-3pm.
Paws Christmas Party
The City Renewal Authority invites all the party dogs to celebrate the festive season a touch early with this puppy fun day. Partake in Christmas activities for furry friends, a photoshoot, Santa Paws hats, and free treats for all pooches.
Free event, Haig Park, Braddon, Sunday 26 November 11am-1pm; Facebook.
We Need a Little Christmas
Local jazz vocal group Rhythm Syndicate performs a selection of jazz and Christmas tunes to help listeners get into the festive spirit.
Tickets $15, Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, Wednesday 29 November 12:40pm; wesleymusiccanberra.org
DECEMBER
Seniors Christmas Market
Grab unique Christmas gifts, experience demonstrations and live performances, grab a tasty Christmas goodie or enjoy a buffet meal.
Free entry, Canberra Seniors Centre, Turner, Friday 1 December 4pm; eventbrite.com.au
Christmas Gin Festival
Gin-gle all the way to Christmas cheer with this showcase of Australian craft distillers and their exceptional gin creations. Clink your glasses with festive merriment and take a drop home to share.
Tickets from $40, University of Canberra, Bruce, 2-3 December; ginevents.com.au
Christmas Market
Kangara Waters crafters have been busy creating wonders in patchwork, porcelain, knit, jewellery and more – perfect for the festive season and gift-giving.
Free entry, Kangara Waters Retirement Village, Belconnen, Saturday 2 December 8.30am-12.30pm.
Christmas Fair
Grab a Christmas gift, plant, preloved books, craft items, clothing, jewellery or tasty baked goods with free tea, coffee and biscuits for all.
Free entry, Christ Church, Hawker, 2 December 9am-12:30pm.
A Journey to Christmas
The Canberra Men’s Choir hosts an afternoon of joyous Christmas music to get you in the festive spirit.
Tickets $20, St John’s Anglican Church, Reid, Saturday 2 December 2.30pm; trybooking.com
Christmas Festival and Markets
Stalls for all your festive delights, pizza and gelato trucks, raffle prizes, face painting and a special visit from Santa.
Free entry, Tarago Hall, Tarago NSW, Saturday 2 December 4-8pm.
Battle of the Big Bands Christmas Ball
Travel back to the Christmas of yesterday with this swinging big band jazz-off. Dress up in your vintage best and bring your favourite festive dish to share.
Albert Hall, Saturday 2 December 7.30pm; humanitix.com.au
Old Bus Depot Christmas Markets
With fresh Christmas trees, unique handcrafted gifts and decorations, delicious treats, plus photos with Santa, the Old Bus Depot Markets has everything you need to add some sparkle to your Christmas.
OBD Markets, Kingston, Sundays 3, 10 and 17 December 9.30am-2.30pm; obdm.com.au
A Cracking Christmas
The Maruki Community Orchestra presents a festive program including the Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a and Sérénade Mélancolique Op. 26 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Tickets from $16, Albert Hall, 3 December 3pm; marukicommunityorchestra.org.au
Gin-gle Bells Pop-up Bar
The Canberra Distillery and Westfield Woden come together to spread Christmas cheer with flowing tasting and jolly spirits, first 20 Westfield Members each day receive a free cocktail.
Westfield Woden, 5-23 December; westfield.com.au/woden
Handmade Markets
The beloved markets return just in time to finish your festive shopping, give the gift of bespoke and handmade goods for loved ones this Christmas.
Free entry, Exhibition Park, 8-10 December.
RSPCA Shelter Christmas Markets
Support animals in need across our region with this festive fun day, with stalls, live performances, kids’ activities, dog photos, Christmas trees for sale, and the chance to adopt a new furry family member.
Free entry, RSPCA ACT, Weston, Friday 8 December 4-8pm; rspca-act.org.au
A Very NFSA Christmas
The NFSA’s signature eclectic Christmas program continues with Tim Burton’s Gothic fairytale Edward Scissorhands.
Tickets from $12, National Film and Sound Archive, Friday 8 December 6pm; nfsa.gov.au
DIY Christmas Bauble Workshops
Craft your very own bauble to have pride of place on your Christmas tree with bauble and tools supplied.
Free, Westfield Woden 9-10 & 16-17 December 11am- 2pm daily.
Carols by Candlelight
The annual event returns with performances from the Woden Valley Youth Choir and Canberra City Band. Bring a blanket and a picnic or choose from some of the region’s best food vendors as you listen to festive tunes.
Free event, Stage 88, Saturday 9 December 6pm; facebook.com/CanberraCarols
A Very NFSA Christmas
Joe Dante’s lovable and chaotic Christmas classic Gremlins, a family-friendly film with a dark comedic edge that will entertain parents as much as children.
Tickets from $12, National Film and Sound Archive, Saturday 9 December 6pm; nfsa.gov.au
Carols on the Lawn
An evening of community fun with kids’ activities, BBQ and festive carols.
Free event, St Peter’s Anglican Church, 9 December 7pm; westonmolonglo.church
Canberra Choral Society
Presents a Christmas concert full of choral music and carols from the Middle Ages to the modern day in Hodie Christus Natus Est.
Tickets from $30, Wesley Uniting Church, Sunday 10 December 6pm; trybooking.com
A Very NFSA Christmas
Die Hard 2, John McClane is back for the equally explosive sequel to the original Die Hard.
Tickets from $12, National Film and Sound Archive, Thursday 14 December 6pm; nfsa.gov.au
Christmas Classics
The Luminescence Chamber Singers and friends, accompanied by the angelic strains of Luminescence Children’s Choir, present a program of classic Yuletide songs and traditional Nativity hymns.
Tickets from $30, Wesley Uniting Church, 15 and 17 December; trybooking.com.au
Christmas Carols
Mt Rogers Community Christmas Carols Sing-a-long is proudly supported by St Paul’s Ginninderra and Mosaic Baptist Churches. Bring a picnic or choose from our BBQ options. Christmas songs old and new. Poor weather alternative is inside.
Free event, Friday 15 December from 5pm. Plenty of parking off Curley Street, Spence.
Kath & Kim Xmas Drag Bingo
A noice evening to celebrate the Christmas season with two Aussie icons, hosted by foxy morons Prada Clutch and Conchita Grande. Dress up as your favourite character for your chance to win.
Tickets $46.97, Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, Friday 15 December 7pm; eventbrite.com.au
A Very Canberra Comedy Festival Christmas
Join the best Canberra Comedy Festival comedians as they deliver a Santa sack full of laughs to having you ho-ho-hoing until Christmas Day.
Tickets from $49.90, Canberra Theatre Centre, Friday 15 December 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Big Christmas Bash
The Little Burley Market celebrates 12 hours of festive fun with markets showcasing the best of Canberra’s small businesses, live entertainment and two visits from Santa.
Free entry, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Lake Burley Griffin, Saturday 16 December 8am-8pm; thelittleburleymarket.com.au
Christmas Ball
The chance to jingle and mingle amongst the festive cheer, dazzling decorations and joyful dancing in a stunning festive wonderland.
Crystal Ballroom Canberra, Saturday 16 December 6pm; eventbrite.com.au
Christmas at The B
The Queanbeyan Players host their third annual charity event with Christmas carols, trivia and raffle to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease NSW.
Tickets from $25, The Q- Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 16 December 7pm; theq.net.au
Carols in Town Park
The Tuggeranong Salvation Army invites you to an afternoon of community fun with entertainment, children’s activities, a sausage sizzle and community carols.
Free event, Tuggeranong Town Park, Sunday 17 December 4pm; facebook.com/carolsintownpark
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
The award-winning stage spectacle – Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – returns to Canberra Theatre to lift your spirits. It’s a reminder of the true meaning of the season, and the power of kindness and love.
Tickets from $77, 19-24 December; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Morning Melodies
Hosts a festive event in the Magical Christmas Special, a sparkling celebration of all things Christmas.
Free but booking required, The Q- Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, Thursday 21 December 11am & Braidwood National Theatre, Friday 22 December 11am; theq.net.au
If you have an event to add, send an email [email protected] with ‘Christmas event’ in the subject line.
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