IT’S the most wonderful time of the year. And that means there are some wonderful events as well. Check out our list for a few things to put in your diary this holiday season.
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Do you have a Christmas community event that you would like featured in our What's On section? We'd love to know. Email us at: addynews@fairfaxmedia.com.au or phone us on: 5434 4470.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
MUSIC AND MINGLING
Celebrate Christmas and the end of a great year of reading and libraries at the Kangaroo Flat Library.
This event is celebrated with the friendly library staff and features joyful live music and Christmas snacks.
No bookings required.
Where: Kangaroo Flat Library, High Street, Kangaroo Flat.
When: Monday, December 17, from 10am.
Cost: Free event.
SANTA RUN
The Strathfieldsaye Fire Brigade is once again helping Santa bring Christmas cheer to Bendigo by transporting the jolly man himself around Strathfieldsaye, delivering lollies to children.
Santa’s sleigh is having it’s annual repairs (ahead of the big day) and he has requested a ride on the fire trucks as a replacement sleigh for the evening.
Santa will be at the following locations and times for all to wave to him:
- 6pm - Imagine estate oval
- 6.30pm - Clydebank Court Playground
- 7pm - Regent Park
- 7.30pm - Battunga Park
- 8pm - Saxby Drive Playground
Santa’s helpers (the Strathfieldsaye firefighters) will be accepting donations on the day, which will be used to purchase equipment for the brigade.
Where: Strathfieldsaye Fire Brigade, Taylors Lane, Strathfieldsaye.
When: Thursday, December 20, 6pm-8.30pm.
Cost: Donations.
SANTA TRAM
Santa Tram is back for another season, with more than 3,000 people set to enjoy the experience in the lead up to Christmas.
Santa will be hiding out in Bendigo while his sleigh undergoes annual maintenance.
Gather your family and step aboard, sing Christmas carols and play games along the way.
Meet Santa, have a photo taken and let him know what you would like for Christmas.
To book a place on the Santa Tram, click here or phone 5443 8255.
Where: Bendigo Tramways Depot and Workshop, Bendigo (please note, this is not Central Deborah Gold Mine).
When: Friday, December 7 – Monday, December 24, various times.
Cost: Various costs.
CHRISTMAS AT BBC
Do you have any plans for celebrating the wonder, joy and the hope of that very first Christmas night?
We would love to have you join us at one of our Christmas Services as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
All welcome.
Christmas Eve has a service starting at 6pm at the Junortoun campus.
Christmas Day’s service starts at 10am at either the Junortoun or Eaglehawk campuses.
Where: Bendigo Baptist Church, McIvor Highway, Junortoun and Parsonage Grove, Eaglehawk.
When: Monday, December 24, from 6pm. Tuesday, December 25, from 9am. and 25, from 11am.
Cost: Free.
BLUE CHRISTMAS
The Bendigo community is invited to head along to Weeroona Uniting Church’s annual Blue Christmas Service.
The service recognises that Christmas celebrations can be a hard for those experiencing sadness and loss.
This service is an opportunity for community members to hear the word of God and be present in His grace, away from the busy time of Christmas.
A light supper will be provided following the service.
Where: Weeroona Uniting Church, Condon Street, Bendigo.
When: Sunday, December 23, from 5pm.
Cost: Free.
CHRISTMAS DANCING
Dance your way to the library, wearing your best Christmas outfit.
This free event allows children to sing songs, listen to dancing stories and create Christmas snowflakes.
No bookings required.
Where: Eaglehawk Library, Sailors Gully Road.
When: Tuesday, December 18, 10.30am-11.15am.
Cost: Free event.
WINTER WONDERLAND
Reforming Church invites you to their free Winter Wonderland event. This event is family friendly with loads of activities for all ages to enjoy.
The event features a jumping castle, face painting, gingerbread decorating, photobooth, snowcones and more.
For adults, there will be an English pub-style cafe with fake mulled wine and eggnog, along plenty of snacks as well.
The evening also has prizes for the ugliest Christmas jumpers, so make sure you bring them along.
To finish the night, you can take part in singing some classic carols as a community and watching a skit called “When Santa Learned the Gospel”.
This event is fully catered with a barbecue dinner. Please RSVP to this event here.
Where: 17 Victa Road, East Bendigo.
When: Saturday, December 15, 5pm–7pm.
Cost: Free event.
WRECK THE HALLS
Join Dragon City Roller Derby for its annual Christmas Scrimmage.
This is an oppotunity for you to come and play, officiate or hang out with fun people.
The scrimmage is open to players 16 years and up and those who identify as women, non-binary and/or gender expansive.
The day starts with a warm up at 2pm with the first scrimmage at 2.30pm.
Where: Truscott Reserve, Murdock Street, California Gully.
When: Sunday, December 16, 2pm–4.30pm.
Cost: Free event.
OVER 40’s PARTY
Enjoy an evening with like minded people at this Over 40’s Christmas Party.
This event features all the best music from the 70’s and 80’s and DJ Santa Claws.
Drinks are at bar prices. Register here for free entry.
This event may also include some concert tickets to give away...
Where: Bendigo Trades Hall, View Street, Bendigo.
When: Satuday, December 15, 8pm-midnight.
Cost: Free.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
How do you spend your Christmas Day? Are you on your own? Head along to this community Christmas lunch event and enjoy good food and even better company.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has joined with Cobaw Community Health to host it’s eleventh annual free Christmas Day lunch.
The lunch is aimed to provide people with the company of others, to share a meal and have an afternoon of entertainment.
This event is alcohol free. Bookings are essential. Phone 1300 888 802 to book or email: kthtickets@mrsc.vic.gov.au
For transport enquiries, please phone Steph Harper on 5422 0258 or email: sharper@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Where: Kyneton Town Hall, Mollison Street.
When: Tuesday, December 25, 11.30am – 2pm.
Cost: Free.
THE LITTLE ELF
If your child enjoys music and playing games then take them to meet Candy the Little Christmas Elf.
Candy has been given special leave from Santa to come to Bendigo and find the missing Christmas carols.
With her juggling antics and love of music, Candy is sure to bring them back, but needs your child’s help.
Once the carols are back in town, your child will become part of the newest (and best) Christmas band in town.
Suitable for young families, no bookings required.
Where: Bendigo Library, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.
When: Friday, December 21, 11am-11.45am.
Cost: Free.
WOMEN’S HIGH TEA
All ladies are invited to this Christmas high tea.
There is no better time to enjoy yourselves then now with great food, tea, music and to hear from God.
Bec Walz will be speaking on the topic of 'Jesus is surprising’, if you think you know everything about Jesus, head along and see if you hear something you haven’t before.
This is a free event.
While it would be convenient if you could please have your child minded, there will be people available (all with WWCC) to watch your children if necessary.
Where: Eaglehawk Presbyterian Church, Victoria Street, Eaglehawk.
When: Saturday, December 15, 3pm-5pm.
Cost: Free event.
FESTIVALS
GISBORNE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
This Christmas Festival is an annual family-oriented event, which gets bigger and better with each year.
The event includes various actitivties such as carnival rides, food stalls, roving entertainment, music and market stalls.
There is also the ever popular street parade along Aitken Street and the firework display at 9.15pm, marking the conclusion of the event.
Where: Gardiner Reserve, Hamilton Sreet, Gisborne.
When: Friday, December 14, 4.30pm – 9.30pm.
Cost: Free entry, various prices for rides, food.
MARKETS
TWILIGHT MARKET
This pre-Christmas Twilight Market is the perfect event for those looking for their last minute Christmas gifts.
The market features festive produce for a great feast, gift ideas and lots more.
Where: Hargreaves Mall, Bendigo.
When: Thursday, December 20, 4pm-8pm.
Cost: Free entry.
GUILDFORD CHRISTMAS MARKET
After last year’s success, the Guildford Christmas Market is on again.
This year has new stalls, homemade gifts, the homegrown, winemakers, artists and community stalls.
Come for a family friendly atmosphere and enjoy the music, food and drinks.
For more information, please phone Chris on 0429 023 618.
Where: Guildford Family Hotel, Midland Highway, Guildford.
When: Saturday, December 22, from 4pm.
Cost: Free entry.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
All are welcome to this Christmas Market Bazaar.
There will be lots of stalls for the whole family to enjoy and lots of gift ideas.
Santa will also be in attendance.
Where: Eaglehawk Community House Inc., Bright Street, Eaglehawk.
When: Saturday, December 15, from 11.30am.
Cost: Free entry.
CAROLS AT ENJOY
You are invited to the annual Christmas celebration at Enjoy Church, Carols 2018.
Celebrate the festive season by gathering with family and friends to sing all the favourite Christmas carols.
There will be two services at the church, happening between 3pm and 6pm.
Between the services there will be free activities for the whole family, face paiting, a petting zoo, live music, free food, a jumping castle and much more.
Where: Enjoy Church Bendigo, Phillips Drive, Kangaroo Flat.
When: Saturday, December 15, from 3pm.
Cost: Free event.
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
Enjoy a night of Christmas carols, proudly brought to you by the Rotary Club of Bendigo.
The evening features live bands, community choirs and lots of fun for the whole family.
Where: Rosalind Park, Bendigo.
When: Sunday, December 16, from 6pm.
Cost: Free event.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The 2018 Bendigo Kids Christmas Concert, a family friendly afternoon event, will benefit the New Bendigo Hospital Appeal.
Celebrate Christmas with the whole family, support a worthy charity and hear all your favourite carols.
Purchase tickets here.
Where: Bendigo Stadium, Inglis Street, Bendigo.
When: Sunday, December 23, from 3pm.
Cost: Tickets from $8.
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?
Head along to Connect Church’s 2018 Christmas Spectacular.
Join in for an evening of festivities with food trucks, games, a visit from Santa and other Christmas fun.
Carols will be sung and the church will present "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
Invite your friends and family and come along for a great night celebrating Christmas together.
Where: Connect Church Bendigo, Solomon Street.
When: Sunday, December 16, 5pm-8.30pm.
Cost: Free.
FUNDRAISERS
CINEMATHON CELEBRATION
Support the Star Cinema at this Cinemathon and join in for a screening of this new film starring Robert Redford and Sissy Spacek, The Old Man & the Gun (M).
The Old Man & the Gun is Redford’s final film before his retirement and is based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Redford), his escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to the string of heists that enchanted the public.
Spacek plays Jewel, a woman who loves Tucker despite his chosen profession.
Doors and the bar will be open from 6pm, with finger food available.
All tickets are $20, with proceeds going to the Cinemathon. Reserve your favourite couch by phoning 5446 2025.
Where: Star Cinema, Peg Leg Road, Bendigo.
When: Thursday, December 20, 6pm-8.45pm.
Cost: Tickets $20.
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