Jingle all the way through the Illawarra this week with a plethora of fun activities in the lead-up to Christmas and Boxing days. Photo: Vasil Dimitrov.
Christmas is here, and while you might be finishing up at work, hunkering down into family celebrations or racing around for last-minute holiday season preparations, there are still a bunch of things you can do for fun. Some even have a practical element to them! Like edible tree decoration workshops and markets primed for Christmas shopping.
Shellharbour pools are opening up for free to school-aged children, Aussie singer-songwriter legend Pete Murray brings his tour (and his mates) to the Illawarra, and there are discos and Christmas parties for all ages.
Here are nine fun things to do in the Illawarra this week.
Multiple Days
Get yourself a free photo with Chris Kringle or a sleigh photo booth picture – all for free in Warrawong. Photo: fotostorm.
Free Santa Photos at Warrawong Plaza
When: Friday 20 December, 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday 21 December, 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 22 December, 9 am to 4 pm, Monday 23 December, 9 am to 5 pm and Tuesday 24 December, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Warrawong Plaza, Cowper Street, Warrawong
Cost: Free.
Last call for families to score a free photo with Santa at Warrawong Plaza – no charge, no booking required. Located at the food court and opposite Commonwealth Bank is the big man in red himself, ready for you to capture his good side. There will also be an option for free Sleigh Photo Booth photos – just take the photos and receive them via text within minutes.
Friday
Whether they’re bribes for Saint Nick or treats for yourself, you’re going to want to book yourself into this festive bicky decorating workshop. Image: Kiama Libraries.
Kid’s Christmas Biscuit Decorating
When: Friday, 20 December, 2 to 3 pm
Where: Gerringong Library, 8 Blackwood Street, Gerringong
Cost: $5 | Book via TryBooking.
Learn how to decorate for yourself or make as gifts for friends and family in this fun, creative activity for primary school children aged five to 12 years. You’ll use Betty Crocker chocolate frosting, pretzels, smarties, marshmallows, 100s and 1000s, Milk Arrowroot biscuits, ready-to-roll fondant icing, icing sugar, bauble sprinkles, green buttercream and Nice & Natural Fruit Strings for your creations.
Sweeter than a bauble and so fun to make. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
Christmas Gingerbread House Ornaments
When: Friday 20 December, 2 to 4 pm
Where: Wollongong Library, 41 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free | Book via eventbrite.
Add a sweet touch to your holiday decorations with this gingerbread house ornament workshop. Designed for teens aged 12 to 18, this fun, hands-on session is the perfect chance to socialise while crafting unique ornaments for your tree or room. All materials are provided, so just bring your creativity and holiday spirit. Spots are booking out, so act fast to ensure you don’t miss out.
Don’t miss The Frat’s next kids’ disco, this time Chrissy-themed. Image: The Fraternity Club.
Kids Disco
When: Friday 20 December, 6 to 8 pm
Where: The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke Street, Fairy Meadow
Cost: Child $12 | Adult free | Book via The Fraternity Club.
Ready for a jolly good time? Get your dancing shoes on and groove to some festive tunes at The Frat’s next disco – this time Christmas themed. Expect a night filled with music, laughter and holiday cheer. Please note, all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Adults are offered free tickets to attend but must “purchase” a ticket so that organisers can keep a track of numbers. Kids’ tickets include a party bag with chips and a glow stick bag (chips and glow stick).
Saturday
This sugar workshop is back by popular demand. Image: Expressive Art Experience.
Gingerbread Cookie Decorating
When: Saturday 21 December, 1 to 3 pm
Where: Expressive Art Experience, 13 Newing Circuit, Kiama Downs
Cost: $66.63 |Book via Expressive Art Experience.
In this gingerbread cookie decorating workshop with Expressive Art Experience, your guide Michelle will share her decades-long, tried and tested recipe for yummy gingerbread bickies. Each person will receive 12 naked cookies and an invitation to unleash their creativity on them. The workshop is best suited for ages 13 years and over – so gather your friends, don some frosting-friendly clothes and come on down.
Billed as the Illawarra’s Christmas party of the year, tickets are selling fast to this party at Mr Crown. Image: passion.industrie.
Christmas Open Air Day Party
When: Saturday 21 December, 2 pm
Where: Mr Crown, 90 Crown Street, Wollongong
Cost: $48.43 | Book via Moshtix.
Two staged and six headliners in one party: welcome to the Christmas Open Air Day Party by leading forces in the Wollongong dance scene, THAT. & PASSION. Mr Crown will be transformed into a multi-staged outdoor venue, featuring the THAT. Courtyard & Passion-Alley. From established headliners such as Tom Santa to William Kiss, the line-up is stacked with a very special list of handpicked local talents.
Splash into the summer holidays with free access to Shellharbour City pools. Image: Shellharbour City Council.
Free Entry to Shellharbour City Pools
When: Saturday 21 December to Friday 3 January
Where: Shellharbour City pools
Cost: Free.
Get set to make a splash this summer with free entry to Shellharbour City pools for school-age children from Saturday 21 December – all the way until Friday 3 January 2025. This includes the Albion Park 50 m pool, the Warilla 50 m pool and the Oak Flats 50 m pool, but not the Oak Flats 25 m pool. Note: visitors are advised to familiarise themselves with the eligibility requirements and conditions of entry before setting out.
Don’t miss this stellar tour with Pete Murray, Alex Lloyd, The McCredie Brothers and Joe Mungovan. Image: Towradgi Beach Hotel & Waves Facebook.
Pete Murray and Friends – ‘Wouldn’t It Be Good’ Summer Tour
When: Saturday 21 December, 8 pm
Where: Waves Hotel Wollongong, 170 Pioneer Road, Towradgi
Cost: $66.22 | Book via Moshtix.
On his summer coastal tour legendary Australian singer-songwriter Pete Murray is joined by fellow legends Alex Lloyd, The McCredie Brothers and Joe Mungovan. Murray has cultivated a stalwart reputation for his live shows, from his own headline shows at home and abroad, as well as performances with the likes of Missy Higgins, Icehouse, Rob Thomas, Darryl Braithwaite and James Blunt to name a few.
Sunday
This might be one of your final chances to grab Christmas gifts, or a little something special for yourself. Photo: Great Southern Mead & Honey Facebook.
Berry Village Christmas Markets
When: Sunday 22 December, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Berry Bowling Club, 140 Queen Street, Berry
Cost: Free entry.
In this special edition of a monthly market, Surfing South Coast Santa is coming to greet all the kids before he heads out on his annual round-the-world trip. You’ll have face painting, live music on the green and more than 80 boutique stalls to browse. Shop retro and collectable vinyls, pet wares and treats, health products, plants, fresh flowers, bagels, croissants and delicious donuts, Portuguese tarts, strawberries and chocolate, olives, gourmet organic oils, pizzas for home, homemade jams, honey and mead and barbecue essentials. There will also be gin, wine and salami tastings and plenty of food and coffee trucks, so grab a picnic and make a day of it.
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