Holiday activities near you

The holiday season has a way of bringing magic, wonder and heaps of fun, but many of us may not have anything planned. If you need inspiration and ideas, we’ve got some for you; from outdoor cinemas to fireworks to exhibitions and creative workshops.  Find out about the unmissable events in your local city.

Moonlight Cinema

There’s something about a great movie and a warm summer evening that go together so well. Gather with loved ones or pack a picnic with friends to enjoy a movie under the stars! It's the perfect time to catch the summer’s biggest blockbusters, advanced screenings as well as cult classic films. In a breath-taking location, it’s an opportunity to kick back in the outdoors and enjoy the summer vibes.

Adelaide

Botanic Park (adjacent to Adelaide Botanic Garden)

Hackney Road

7:00 pm – 12:00 am

8 Dec 2018 - 17 Feb 2019


Brisbane

The Amphitheatre

Roma Street Parkland

5:30pm – 12:00 am

29 Nov 2018 – 31 Mar 2019


Melbourne

Central Lawn at Melbourne Gardens 

(Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria)

7:00 pm – 12:00 am

29 Nov 2018 – 31 Mar 2019


Perth

May Drive Parkland

Kings Park and Botanic Garden

6:00 pm – 12:00 am

1 Dec 2018 – 31 Mar 2019


Sydney

Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park

(on the corner of Carrington Dr and Broome Ave) Paddington.

 7:00 pm – 12:00 am

29 Nov 2018 – 31 Mar 2019 
 

Adelaide

The Moseley Beach Club

The Glenelg Foreshore, Glenelg

Adelaide

10:00 am – 10:00 pm

16 Nov 2018 – 17 Mar 2019

Experience Australia’s first beach club for the 2018/19 summer season. Perfect for the whole family, with free entry, food and drink options, a kid zone, sun loungers, day beds and a variety of casual seating options. Grab your sunscreen & towels and head down to the beach for a fabulous and fun holiday.

Christmas Riverbank Display

Adam Street, Hindmarsh

Adelaide

4:00 pm - 11:59 pm

2 Dec 2018 – 1 Jan 2019

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us! It’s a magical time when the River Torrens at the side door of the West End Brewery, transforms into a festive wonderland. Scenes include the Nativity Inn and Water Wheel, a Ferris Wheel, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, the Red Brewery Truck laden with gifts, Vulcan’s Volcano and Moby Dick – who swims along the Torrens towards the Port Road Bridge. This free community event can be enjoyed night or day, with the lights turning on at dusk each evening.

Perth

New Year’s Eve

31 Dec – 1 Jan 2019

Fireworks at 9:00 pm and midnight 

Usher in the new year with spectacular fireworks displays at the famous Swan River, Rottnest Island, Mandurah and on the banks of the Cannington River. Perth comes alive with celebrations, fireworks and parties so book ahead for a memorable dinner or night out with family and friends. Be here early to secure the best spot to welcome in 2019! 

Where to watch the New Year’s Eve Perth fireworks: 

Swan River. Fireworks at 9:00 pm and 12:00 am. 

Rockingham. Fireworks at 9:00 pm and 12:00 am.

Mandurah. Fireworks at 9:00 pm and 12:00 am.

Rottnest Island. Fireworks at 9:00 pm and 12:00 am.

Brisbane

Christmas Fireworks

December 20 - December 23

8:00 pm to 8.15 pm

In the lead up to Christmas, spectacular fireworks are set to light up the Brisbane skyline. Head to these popular viewing locations to get the best views - Clem Jones Promenade, Streets Beach, River Quay and the Cultural Forecourt. Show up early to stake out a spot or join the crowds and take advantage of the Christmas festivities.

Carols by Twilights

South Bank Parklands, Corner Ernest Street, Stanley Street and Grey Street

South Brisbane

December 14 – December 23

6:00pm – 8:00pm 

From ‘Silent Night’ to ‘O Holy Night’, enjoy the best Christmas carols of all time. Taking place at River Quay, it’s perfect for enjoying a picnic or purchase something to eat at the surrounding River Quay restaurants. After singing along to your favourite Christmas carols, stay and catch a classic Christmas flick at South Bank’s Christmas Cinema under the stars.  

Woodford Folk Festival

Woodfordia Inc, 87 Woodrow Rd, Woodford

Queensland

27 Dec 2018 – 1 Jan, 2019

Held annually for 6 days and 6 nights, the Woodford festival experience is deep, rich and colourful. Featuring 2000 performers from more than 450 acts, the festival showcases the depth and diversity of Australia's cultural, artistic and social expression. Join over 130,000 people from all ages and walks of life to enjoy a programme filled with music, dance, cabaret, circus, comedy, workshops, debate, street theatre, films, thought-provoking forums, visual arts, an entire Children's Festival and many special presentations including a spectacular fire event on New Year's Day. The festivals’ impressive line-up of acts includes Kimbra, Irish Mythen, Tullara, Butterfingers, Julia Jacklin, Dan Sultan and The Cat Empire.

Melbourne

Summer Night Market

Queen Victoria Market 

22/11/2018 – 20/03/2019

5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Melbourne’s original and favourite Night Market is back to Queen Victoria Market 

Indulge in a range of heavenly summer-style dishes - everything from sizzling skewers and Japanese sliders, to loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) and French crêpes. You can also enjoy a variety of backyard-style games from the giant toy box, including giant Jenga, totem tennis and chess. 

School of Rock - The Musical

Her Majesty’s Theatre

219 Exhibition Street

31/10/2018 – 01/02/2019

School of Rock, the hit Broadway musical from legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has Her Majesty’s Theatre rocking!

Based on the iconic 2003 film starring Jack Black, School of Rock is about layabout, wannabe rock star Dewey Finn who masquerades as a substitute teacher at a prep school to earn some much-needed cash. When he discovers the kids’ music class, he learns of their hidden talents and tries to mould them into a full-throttle rock band to enter the prestigious Battle of the Bands competition. But can Dewey turn these straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, mind-blowing rock group and keep the secret from the kids’ parents and headmistress?

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new score has lyrics by Glenn Slater, and also includes songs from the original film, including “Teacher’s Pet”, “School of Rock” and “In the End of Time”.

Sand Sculpting Australia presents Peter Pan

695 Limestone Road Fingal

15 December 2018, 10:00 AM to 28 January 2019

5:00 pm 

Get in touch with your inner child and spend the day in Neverland. The Peter Pan exhibition will take you on a journey told through sand. Take part in workshops, enjoy a coffee whilst the kids play in the sandpit or take a ride on a pedal boat and see the sculptures via the stunning waterways that surround them.

Melbourne Street Art Tours

Blender Studios

20 Wharf Street 

Lvl 1

Docklands VIC 3008

18/10/2018 to 31/12/2020

Tue: 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Thu: 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Sat: 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Melbourne Street Art Tours is the first, and only, street art tours in Australia run by street artists. Explore Melbourne’s famous arcades and laneways and discover the city’s street art scene that features colourful graffiti and gorgeous art.

With extensive local knowledge, your guides can educate you on what technical aspects are involved in spray painting, stencil art and paste-ups, and what significant role the artists have made in making Melbourne one of the most important destinations in the world for Street Art.

ArtVo and Atrium Light Show at Crown

8 Whiteman Street

Southbank

25/11/2018 to 01/01/2019

10:00am – 12:00am

The Crown Christmas Spectacular never disappoints. Enjoy Australia’s only 24-hour, fully-lit Christmas tree, which is massive and don’t miss out on the seven giant animated baubles that create a Christmas song compilation.

You’re in luck as until 28 December, there’s also ArtVo at Crown. Try all 12 of the 3D ‘trick-art’ paintings that will get you and your friends in the festive mood. From surfing with Santa to standing inside a snow globe, you’ll have lots of photos to share on social media.

Sydney

Star Wars Exhibition

Powerhouse Museum

500 Harris Street

Ultimo

16 November 2018 and will be open daily (closed 25 December 2018) until 10 June 2019.

10am to 5pm (last entry 3.30pm).

Ideal for visitors of all ages, this an event for all Star Wars fans. You’ll have the opportunity to discover your own Star Wars identity and learn about the forces that shape you through a series of interactive stations. Who will you identify with? Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader? 

Along the way, you will also discover rare treasures from the Lucasfilm archives and see original costumes, props, models and artworks up close as you go behind the scenes of the movie-making process. 

Terrarium workshop

674 Bourke St

Redfern

24/03/2018 – 22/03/2019

10:00 am to 11.30 am

Learn how to make a DIY open succulent terrarium (yours to keep), in this fun and easy workshop.

In case you didn't know, a terrarium is a small glass container containing petite plants and special soil, accompanied by decorative elements. Follow the simple step-by-step guide to making your own beautiful terrarium garden to gift or decorate your home or office. You will be provided with all the premium materials you need in this workshop. You’ll receive vase river stones, mini succulents, moss and soil to layer with and create the perfect environment for your plants to thrive.

Sydney Tsunami Dragon Boat Club

2 Bank Street

Pyrmont

11/04/2017 – 03/09/2019

8:30 am – 10:00 am 

Combine fitness and fun this holiday. Try out 3 complimentary dragon boat training sessions and see if it’s right for you. They train at 1 Bank Street (next to the Fish Markets) on Tuesday evenings (6.15pm) and also Saturday mornings (8.30 am). All you need are a change of clothes (for after training) and a plastic bottle of water – everything else is provided! 

Haunted Sydney Ghost Tour

69 George Street

The Rocks

13/07/2018 – 29 December 2018

8:00p pm – 9:30 pm

Sydney may be a blissful haven with sparkling beaches and urban graffiti walks, but beneath the busy tourist shops and bustling nightlife, there are creepy haunted sites and graveyards with lingering spirits of the past. Get your scare on with the Haunted Sydney Ghost Tour.