IT'S the most wonderful time of the year. And that means there are some wonderful events as well.
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Check out our list for a few things to put in your diary this holiday season.
Do you have a Christmas community event that you would like featured in our What's On section? Share it with us.
Email us at: addynews@fairfaxmedia.com.au or phone us on: 5434 4470.
CAROLS AND CONCERTS
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
Bendigo will come alive for the annual, spectacular Christmas carols in the lead-up to Christmas.
There will be all your favourite Christmas carols, proudly presented by the Rotary Club of Bendigo.
For more information, phone 0419 371 289.
Where: Rosalind Park, Gaol Road, Bendigo.
When: Sunday, December 22, 6.30pm to 10.30pm.
CHRISTMAS EVE CAROLS
Head along and celebrate Christmas with a free barbecue, jumping castle and all your favourite Christmas carols.
This event will be fun and family friendly, reminding the community of the meaning of Christmas, the birth of a saviour.
Where: Eaglehawk Presbyterian Church, 75A Victoria Street, Eaglehawk.
When: Tuesday, December 24, 5pm to 8pm.
KYNETON EVE CAROLS
Celebrate Christmas with your community in Kyneton.
This family-friendly Christmas Eve carols celebration will also include a supper.
This is a free event and all are welcome to attend.
For more information, contact 5422 1782.
Where: Kyneton Baptist Church, 43 Ebden Street, Kyneton.
When: Tuesday, December 24, 7pm to 9pm.
BENDIGO COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS LUNCH
The Bendigo Community Christmas Lunch is on again for another year of helping those who need it this festive season.
This event is a free lunch for all to join in on.
Everyone is welcome to attend this lunch, whether you are alone at Christmas or not. This event is a festive, family friendly day out.
If you would like to donate perishable food items, please donate to Central Milk Supplies, Alstonvale Court, East Bendigo on Christmas Eve, 1pm to 4pm. Please list all ingredients for allergy prevention.
Money donations are also accepted here.
Where: Last barbecue hut towards Epsom, Lake Weeroona, Napier Street, Bendigo.
When: Wednesday, December 25, from 11am.
CHRISTMAS WITH US
The Carisbrook Lions Club community is hosting a Christmas lunch for people from all walks of life.
Come together and celebrate Christmas with a two course meal.
There will be sing alongs, presents and a friendly atmosphere for all ages.
Strictly NO alcohol.
Free event, bookings are essential via the Visitor Information Centre on 5460 4511.
Where: Carisbrook Recreation Reserve, McNeill Street, Carisbrook.
When: Wednesday, December 25, 9am to 3.30pm.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SANTA TRAM
Santa is in town and is hiding at a secret location, but luckily for locals the Santa tram knows where to find him.
Head to the Santa tram and have your photo taken with the jolly man himself and let him know what you would like for Christmas.
Book online here or phone 5442 2821.
Ticket cost: Baby (under 1 - excluding a gift from Santa) free, baby (under 1 - including a gift from Santa) $12, child (1-15 including a gift from Santa) $22. Adults: $12.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to departure times, all trams will be departing on time.
Where: Bendigo Tramways Depot and Workshop, 1 Tramways Avenue, Bendigo (note, this is note the Central Deborah Gold Mine).
When: Phone for times and to book, 5442 2821.
HORSEDRAWN TOURS WITH SANTA
Join in with Santa for a 20-minute trip around Bendigo, taking in all the historic sights and decorations.
Tours depart every 30 minutes and the carriage is a ten-seater, decked out with Christmas lights.
Adult $15 (no gift), child $10 (includes a free gift from Santa), Infant (under two - no gift from Santa).
To book, please phone 5434 6060 or email: tourism@bendigo.vic.gov.au
Where: Sidney Myer Place, Bendigo.
When: Until Monday, December 23.
THE GRINCH MOVIE NIGHT
Take your family to an outdoor cinema, Christmas event.
The family friendly movie is The Grinch. The event will also include a food park, local stalls, children's rides, a visit from Santa and children's art workshops.
Movie starts at 7pm
Where: 2 Simpsons Road, Eaglehawk.
When: Saturday, December 21, 3pm to 10.30pm.
CHRISTMAS DANCE
Come along to the Spring Gully Hall this weekend and enjoy great music by Bitz'N'Pieces Dance Band with David Allen.
This event includes a good program and delicious home cooked supper.
There will also be a raffle and prizes.
Admission $9, everyone welcome.
This is final night for Bitz'N'Pieces as they are retiring. For more information contact Keith on 5444 2953.
Where: Spring Gully Hall, Spring Gully Road, Bendigo.
When: Saturday, December 21, 8pm to midnight.
TINY UGLY SWEATERS
Drop in to the Eaglehawk Library and create yourself a tiny ugly sweater.
These ugly sweaters will be crafted out of felt and are perfect to give as a gift or to decorate your Christmas tree.
All materials supplied.
Suitable for ages 10 and up. No bookings required.
Where: Eaglehawk Library, Sailors Gully Road, Eaglehawk.
When: Saturday, December 21, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
WRAP AND CHAT
Join in for festive fun by wrapping up gifts in upcycled wrapping options.
Chat with your local community, snack on Christmas treats and learn how to reuse gift tags.
Bring along your gifts if you would like to wrap them.
Drop in during library hours. All ages welcome.
No bookings required.
Where: Eaglehawk Library, Sailors Gully Road, Eaglehawk.
When: Saturday, December 21, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL MOVIE
Head along to this family Christmas festival, which includes an outdoor cinema.
There will be a food park, market stalls, children's rides, a visit from Santa and a children's art workshop.
The event will also include live music and free popcorn for the first 500 people.
The movie will be Dr Seuss's The Grinch (PG) and will be shown from 7pm.
Alcohol and glass free event, no smoking.
Where: Canterbury Park, 2 Simpsons Road, Eaglehawk.
When: Saturday, December 21, 3pm to 7pm.
BLUE CHRISTMAS
This Blue Christmas service recognises times of celebration that may be hard for people experiencing sadness and or loss.
Whether due to unemployment or the loss of a loved one, this service is an opportunity to hear God's word and be away from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas period.
A light supper will be provided following the service.
Where: Weeroona Uniting Church, Condon Street, Kennington.
When: Sunday, December 22, from 5pm.
GINGERBREAD DECORATING
This Christmas, learn a new skill of how to decorate your gingerbread men.
These particular gingerbread men are already baked, but it's now time to create Santa's favourite reindeer, Rudolph.
Children are welcome to join Santa's helpers for a free workshops of decorating reindeer gingerbread men.
Parents and guardians are welcome to join in all the fun.
Free event.
Where: Lansell Square, High Street, Kangaroo Flat.
When: Monday, December 23, 11am to 2pm.
SANTA RUN
Returning for its third year, the annual Christmas Eve Santa Run is on again, visiting children throughout Macedon.
The event will have Santa on a firetruck, saying hello to families around the town.
For more, see the Facebook page here.
Where: Mount Macedon.
When: Tuesday, December 24, 2pm to 5pm.
MARKETS
GRAVEL HILL MARKET
Head along to the Gravel Hill Christmas Market and pick up last-minute bargains and gifts.
There will be a warm, market atmosphere and lots of goods.
For stallholder enquiries, please email: corpsofficer.bendigo@salvationarmy.org.au
Where: The Salvation Army Bendigo, 65-71 Mundy Street, Bendigo.
When: Friday, December 20, 5pm to 9pm.
CHRISTMAS SOLSTICE PRODUCE SWAP
Head out for a day of produce swapping and find the vegetables and fruits that you need to make your Christmas dish shine.
Bring your spare vegetables, fruits, seedlings and seeds if you have them and swap with your community.
Celebrate Christmas and Summer Solstice with your friends and wider community.
All welcome.
Where: Taradale Mineral Springs Reserve, Jackson Street, Taradale.
When: Saturday, December 21, 2pm to 4pm.
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