Tis the season, folks! Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it’s hard to not be drawn in by all the magic in the air! Add that to the glorious sunny weather that’s coming our way and you’ll soon find yourself spending nearly every weekend outdoors this December.
So let’s hop to it, here are some fun ways to occupy the fam this December!
(credit: City of Perth)
Rev up the Christmas spirit
If your kids are anything like mine, you’re already getting asked when Christmas is coming, on a daily basis. Sate the kids’ festive appetite by taking them out to one of the many Christmas themed offerings this month. City of Perth will be hosting three iconic FREE events this season: the Christmas Pageant, Christmas Lights Trail and Christmas Nativity Concert. Not to be outdone, Optus Stadium will be hosting their Christmas Festival at Stadium Park, with Christmas movies playing at BHP Amphitheatre to occupy the kids.
Don’t want to be anywhere near the CBD? The City of Fremantle have a slew of activities on for Christmas: follow the trail of elves through the city, peruse the Christmas bazaar or be awed by the light show! Don’t forget to check our your local councils for their Christmas events or the Synergy Xmas Trail website to find out which houses in your neighbourhood are going all out to welcome Santa.
Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail
On now until 2nd Jan
6pm onwards
Throughout the CBD and Northbridge
Christmas Festival
10th December
4pm – 8.30pm
Stadium Park at Optus Stadium
Carols in the Park
Saturday 16th December
4.30pm onwards
Claremont Park
Christmas Nativity Concert
16th and 17th December
6.30pm to 8.30pm
Forrest Place
Synergy Xmas Lights Trail
Various start times, refer to the website
Visitor map released on 24th November
City of Fremantle’s 12 days of Christmas
Starts 1st Dec
Across multiple locations in Fremantle
Fun day out!
Summer festival season here, so stock up on the sunscreen and don’t forget to slip, slap, slop! Pro tip: Invest in an insulated water bottle for your adventures so that you can stay hydrated with icy cold water on the scorchers!
Birak is a free community festival which celebrates First Nations culture and will feature free fun activities for everyone in the family. If you’re after a good old fashioned carnival, head on down to the Elizabeth Quay Fun Fair. Running for 5 weeks from 1st December, you have no excuse to miss out on the fun games, rides and fireworks.
If the daytime temperatures are too warm for your liking, outdoor cinemas are back for the season with plenty of family friendly options. So pack that picnic basket and enjoy the sunset with some nibbles in hand.
Elizabeth Quay Fun Fair
Friday, 1st December until 6th Jan
5pm to till late
Elizabeth Quay
Rooftop movies
On now until 14th January
Roe Street City of Perth Car Park
Films at PerthFest
On now
Somerville Auditorium, UWA
Perth Moonlight Cinema
On now
May Drive Parkland, Kings Park
Beat the heat
(credit: Australian Geographic)
Feeling cabin fever and need to go out (but not burn to a crisp?). Then check out the exhibitions that are on this month!
Following the success of Van Gogh Alive, be prepared to be thrilled by Monet in Paris. Our roving Rin scored an exclusive sneak peek of the exhibition and it looks nothing short of dazzling. If your kids lean towards the great outdoors, then they’ll love Australian Geographic’s: Our Country. It promises to be a multi-sensory, cinematic experience that will take visitors on a journey through Australia’s natural wonders.
Of course, there’s always the good old standby on hot days: as you’ll see at the end of this article, we’ve listed all the family friendly movies that will be coming to us in December. But we love supporting local, so check out the Perth made mini Christmas film: My Alf has lost his shelf at the Happy Tone Children’s Theatre in Balcatta. The 45 minute session also includes some interactive elements for the kiddies.
Monet in Paris
On now until 4th February
Crown Perth
Australian Geographic: Our country
Opens 1st December
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Elf Factory’s Mini Christmas movie
17th – 18th December
Happy Tone Children’s Theatre, Balcatta
Movie releases
You’ll be spoilt for choice on Boxing Day with 3 movies all releasing on the same day! If you can’t wait that long to bundle the kids off to the cinema, Wonka, the origin story of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, is set the hit the screen mid-December. Stay tuned to our socials for reels and reviews!
14th December – Wonka
26th December – Wish
26th December – Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
26th December – Migration
We’re just scratching the surface here, don’t forget to follow our socials @PerthHappenings or check our calendar here to see what else is happening in Perth.
Is there something coming up in January that we need to know about? Drop me a DM @rojakwayoflife by 15th December for consideration in our January wrap up!