Late to the Christmas fun this year? There's still time to find your Christmas Spirit. Our round-up will have you jingling your bells and reaching for the eggnog.
Christmas Carols
You can keep your presents and your trifle (okay, maybe share your trifle) but Christmas is carols.
Free entry featuring all your favourite Christmassy tunes, face painting, food stalls and, of course, a visit from the man in red.
11th December from 5:30pm, Hindmarsh Park, Kiama
Carols in MacCabe Park is shaping up to be a special one. It’s family friendly, led by the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music and with roving entertainment it’s a beautifully fun bright spot in the usually chaotic lead-up to the big day.
Thursday, 12 December, 7-8pm, MacCabe Park Wollongong
Sunset Cinema
While Netflix and chill is nice and all, there really is something special about sprawling out with a picnic under the stars as the bats fly overhead and your fave Christmas movie fills the big (temporary, blow up) screen.
This year's Chrissy line up features Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually and Red One. With a program like that, I'll forgive them for not playing the world’s greatest Christmas movie, Die Hard (give it a rewatch and tell me I’m wrong).
Bookings and details here
SantaFest – over 18s fun
Back in my day, this was called the Santa Pub Crawl and I wore fairy wings. At the end of the night, I looked less Christmas Angel and more squished bug.
Now in its 31st year, your ticket gets you entry into 11 venues, free shuttle buses to ferry you around and an incredible live music line-up.
Dressing up is, of course, encouraged and local charities Disabled Surfers Association and SAHSSI are supported. Kicking off at 12pm Saturday, December 14.
Tix essential and available here
Christmas Lights
Are you a Chrissy light family? Putting up lights would mean I’m close to my gutters, which would mean I would need to clean said gutters, so instead I’ve opted for lights on my tree only this year.
But there are plenty of gorgeous light displays throughout the region. Join the Facebook group ‘Christmas Light Displays Illawarra’ for updates and let us know your must-see displays.
Coledale Twilight Christmas market
There's just something about a twilight Chrissy market. The delicious aromas as you try and choose which food stall you'll stop by for dinner, kids running around excitedly because Christmas is just so close, running into friends while the heat of the day slowly dissipates. And so many amazing local goodies to buy. Starting at 2pm, Sunday, December 22, you can shop right through until 8pm.
Keep an eye on socials for stall and food vendor details.
