Things to do in Melbourne in December

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here in Melbourne, and to help us ring in the festive season, the City of Melbourne has announced the return of its epic, month-long Christmas Festival. From November 29 to December 25, our city will come alive with family-friendly (and mostly free!) events that are sure to turn any Grinch into a believer.  This year, you can look forward to exciting attractions like a magical recreation of the North Pole at Marvel Stadium; a special Christmas themed bubble show; sound and light shows nightly at Christmas Square; and a festive line-up of flicks showing at the Capitol Theatre. You won't want to miss the return of the Crown Christmas River Show, which will illuminate Southbank every night, dazzling onlookers with water fountains, lasers, lights and projections set to a soundtrack of festive tunes. Christmas Carnival will return to the banks of the Yarra River with treats, rides and arcade-style games. Plus, Santa will be making special visits at all the festive spots as he roams around the city.  And it wouldn't be the Christmas Festival without the return of the iconic 17.5 metre Christmas tree at Fed Square, so rest assured that it'll be lit up and on display, with the official lighting ceremony on the first day of the festival.  Oh, and the best part? Most of the attractions are free, aside from ticketed rides at the Christmas Carnival, the bubble show and Christmas Cinema. Find out more here.  Looking for more festive activities?

Pardon a moment’s naval-gazing here, but beyond the sparkly Instagram pics from glittering opening nights, the freelance writing gig can be tough. Despite powering through with optimism and encouraging others to follow their passions, I almost gave it all up this week. Or at least I thought about it. But I won’t. I can’t.  This life chose me. Writing’s inextricably bound up in my identity. I don’t know what else I could do. Even as the stress of making ends meet drives me to distraction, I know this is the calling I’ll die (perhaps in penury) on the hill for.  All of which brings me to Sybylla Melvyn, listlessly ranging round the parched-yellow grass of her family’s failing dairy farm, Possum Gully. It’s 1899, and she is a headstrong young woman with grand ambitions of becoming a writer at a time when society has no other expectations of her than being married off to a wealthier man.  The hero of Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin’s beloved debut novel, My Brilliant Career, published in 1901, the 15-year-old is a remarkable figure, a frustrated feminist who hasn’t quite figured it all out yet, but is innately unlike most other girls she knows, including her younger sister Gertie and her harried mother. In truth, Sybylla most closely resembles her author, sharing obvious similarities with the woman whose name would one day lend itself to our most prestigious literary prize, the Miles Franklin Award, plus the Stella Prize for best writing by an Australian woman. Together, they d

The curtain lifts on Peter and the Starcatcher at Arts Centre Melbourne, a sparkling concoction of puppetry, music, charm and stagecraft. If there’s ever been a time to pull out the word enchanting, this is it. Adapted by Rick Elice – known for bringing narrative depth to classic tales – and directed by David Morton, this smash-hit, five-time Tony Award-winning production partners with the Dead Puppet Society. And yes, they had us at "puppets". The show is sprinkled with shimmering, inventive puppetry that brings a delightful layer of magic to the stage.  Elice’s adaptation cuts the "S" in Starcatchers to make room for two leads: Peter Pan (Otis Dhanji) and Molly (Olivia Deeble), the Starcatcher herself. And while Peter is discovering his name and Molly is saving the world and her father, Lord Aster (Alison Whyte), Elice sneaks in light-hearted pokes at adventure tropes and British colonialism. There’s a magical substance called starstuff that gives people what they most desire, transforming a scotch salmon into a mermaid and a bird into Tinkerbell, and everyone’s after it. Including Colin Lane, who is memorable as Black Stache, a pirate with a peculiar politeness and a biting disdain for children. Lane’s timing is impeccable – especially when a fire alarm goes off mid-show, which he turned into an impromptu comedy break, riffing with the audience. Later, he added some extra banter that momentarily broke the production’s spell but earned big laughs from the school kids in the

When Tony, BAFTA, Golden Globe and Oscar-winning star of stage and screen Maggie Smith departed this mortal coil on September 27, the wave of social media adulation celebrating her life’s remarkable work was tear-jerking, rabble-rousing and chuckle-inducing in equal measure. In the mix was, of course, her withering wonder as Mother Superior, trained on Whoopi Goldberg’s lounge singer on the run and in disguise as a nun in 1992’s cinematic Sister Act.     Joseph Maher’s Bishop O’Hara reminds her of her duty, “You took a vow of hospitality for all in need,” as she tartly replies, with only the most meagre hint of regret, “I lied.”   One of the wittiest lines in the film, directed by Dirty Dancing helmer Emile Ardolino, receives a show-stealing twist in the goofily splendid musical. Helpmann Award-winning actor Genevieve Lemon scored one of the biggest laughs of the night when she stepped into Mother Superior’s habit on opening night of the Melbourne staging, held within the hallowed hall of the Regent Theatre, opposite Australian Idol alum Casey Donovan as irrepressible singer Deloris van Cartier.   They’re a mighty double act playing off each other with abundant charm in this musical version that’s been transplanted from Reno/San Francisco in the ‘90s to Philadelphia in the ‘70s, replacing the original soundtrack with a funkier soul train thanks to mellifluous music from EGOT-winner – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony – Alan Menken, cheeky lyrics by Glenn Slater and a sassy book by Ch

It's officially that time of year again when the Moonlight Cinema returns to Melbourne for the summer. There's just something special about snuggling into a bean bag and catching a film under the stars in the Royal Botanic Gardens – with an ice cream or wine in hand, of course.  Australia's favourite outdoor cinema has just dropped its first glimpse of the screening schedule, with blockbusters, nostalgic favourites and plenty of romcoms on the program. Highlights include Gladiator II, The Substance, It Ends With Us and Wicked. And the December line-up wouldn't be complete without a festive flick or two, so lovers of a Christmas film will be thrilled to see classics like The Holiday, Love Actually, Elf and Home Alone featured. Those looking to splurge can opt for either the Platinum Experience, which includes a deluxe double bean bed (including a blanket you can take home!) for two with waiter service or the Singapore Airlines Gold Grass, with a prime position in front of the screen and an exclusive menu of delicious treats. The Official Aperol Spritz Bar is also returning, so you can sip on that iconic orange cocktail all summer long. Screenings kick off at sundown and even your pooch is welcome. Tickets are now available via the website. Want more fun in the sun? Here are the best things to do in Melbourne this December.

Tina Turner was the bread and butter of our household TV screen. She belted alongside Mick Jagger at Live Aid, leather-clad and big hair, raced her supercharged engine across Coober Pedy in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and assured the world that everything would be alright as David Bowie slipped out of the shadows during her Private Dancer Tour. She was one of music’s indomitable icons, a powerhouse; she was the Queen of Rock‘n’Roll. When Tina – The Tina Turner Musical finally rolled into Melbourne’s Princess Theatre after its West End debut and national run, it arrived with sky-high expectations. Having stacked up Tony and Olivier nominations as well as praise from Rolling Stone for its ability to simultaneously “entertain and enlighten”, I’m relieved to say that this Melbourne production did not disappoint. Leather, shoulder pads and sequins that would make Tina herself proud, danced across the red carpet on opening night with hundreds, including local Australian stars, paying homage. For someone like me, who never experienced Tina live beyond the glow of a television screen, the energy certainly made it feel like the real deal.  The musical, written by Katori Hall alongside Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, and directed by Phyllida Lloyd, stays true to Tina’s journey – thanks, in part, to Tina herself. From her early days in Nutbush, Tennessee, with gospel choirs and dusty churches, to the St. Louis blues scene where she met Ike Turner, across the globe to the soggy streets of

Here's a guaranteed way to not cure your fear of flying: step inside a plane cabin recreated inside a 40-foot shipping container, don a pair of high quality binaural headphones and plunge headfirst into complete darkness. Flight – an immersive and truly terrifying Darkfield experience – returns to Melbourne by popular demand after a successful run in 2022. It takes you on a turbulance-filled journey through two worlds, two realities and two outcomes. Just know that there are many ways in which the plane lands safely – but will that be your final destination? Flight will run for a three-month season at the Art Centre Melbourne forecourt from December 13. Tickets are on sale now via the website. This review was originally written in 2022, when Flight was last in Melbourne – please be aware that some elements may have changed. You know the drill: check your boarding pass, find your assigned seat, stow your baggage in the overhead bin and fasten your seatbelt. Make sure your tray table is in the upright position, and make sure your window blind is open for take-off. On a monitor in front of you, a flight attendant in a blue uniform details the safety features of this aircraft. She explains that you should take a minute to find your nearest exit, bearing in mind it might be behind you. As she adjusts her pink scarf, she... wait a minute, wasn't her uniform blue? The screen flickers and she's back to blue, and you wonder if you imagined the pink. And then the lights go out.  This

Mark your calendars because the countdown for Meredith Music Festival is officially on. Set to make a glorious return to the Supernatural Amphitheatre for its 32nd birthday; the festival has announced its line-up for 2024, with Jamie xx, Genesis Owusu and Waxahatchee as the main headliners. We’re also particularly excited for Princess Superstar (Saltburn singalong, anyone?) and The Dare (if Charli XCX thinks he’s with it, so do we).  Running between December 6-8 2024, Meredith Music festival is held near the town of Meredith in the shire of Golden Plains, Victoria. The line-up includes: Jamie xx, Waxahatchee, Genesis Owusu, Mk.gee, Zapp, Angie McMahon, The Dare, Glass Beams, Fat White Family, Mannequin Pussy, Princess Superstar, Barkaa, Frenzee, Leo Sayer, Olof Dreijer, Good Morning, Mike, Party Dozen, Mainline Magic Orchestra, DJ PGZ, Essendon Airport, Ayebatonye, Yara, Precious Bloom, The Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir, In2stellar, Keanu Nelson, Billiam and The Split Bills and the City Of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band. Meredith Thirty Two tickets are $488 (including booking fee), and the price includes all camping and parking, as well as access to the full three days and two nights of Meredith. We’re pleased to note that the ticket price hasn’t increased from last year, despite the cozzie livs.  As usual, most tickets to Meredith Thirty Two are available via the Subscriber Ticket Ballot before they go on public sale. To secure tickets through the ballot, become

Picture this: a balmy summer night in Melbourne spent filling your belly and quenching your thirst from a selection of global street food stalls, carts, trucks and festival bars. If that sounds right up your alley, then mark November 20 in your calendar, because that's when the Queen Vic Market's much-loved Summer Night Market returns.  This year, more than 100 shops, stalls and bars will light up the open-air market sheds across a bumper 15-week season. Foodie highlights include the candied tanghulu fruit skewers from Swirle, gourmet meatball subs from Mr Baller, savoury Japanese-style pancakes from Kicca Okonomiyaki, lamb, chicken and halloumi-stuffed pita pockets from the Cypriot Kitchen and brownie gelato sandwiches from Lickt. When you get thirsty, head to the Happiness is Mojito Bar for refreshing Mojitos in loads of different fruity flavours. You can also grab a froff from Brick Lane, a vino from Rewine or a Spritz from Bella Spritz. As always, you can expect roving performers, pop-up activities (like sunset yoga!) and a rotating line-up of homegrown talent playing live music on the market's main stage. After sipping and snacking, be sure to explore the dozens of stalls selling locally sourced and handmade products including jewellery, art, skincare, books and homewares.  And for the month of December there'll be a whole lot of holiday cheer to soak up, with Santa and his trusty elf sidekick roaming around and posing for festive pics. Don't miss 'Snow Time', which is t

We're just as sad as you are that cherry blossom season is over, but the good news is that it heralds the start of the cherry-picking season. And if you can't get enough of those sweet and juicy red morsels, then make your way to CherryHill Orchards this summer to pick and eat as many cherries as your heart desires. This year's cherry-picking season kicked off early on November 2 at CherryHill's 40-hectare orchard in Coldstream. On November 25, CherryHill's original orchard in Wandin East will follow suit and open its gates to eager pickers.  Sessions last for two hours, and cherries are charged per kilogram – trust us when we say these are some of the largest, sweetest cherries going around. And the fun doesn't stop at picking cherries; the orchard will host on-site food trucks and stalls hawking food and cherry-flavoured products. On top of the famed cherry ice cream, you can also shop pantry goods like cherry vinaigrette, cherry syrup, cherry barbecue sauce and cherry glaze. You can also bring your own picnic, or pre-order a box of goodies to enjoy on the orchard grounds. The sweet specialists at Mary Eats Cake have created three different-sized packs featuring treats like shakshuka quiche, cherry delight doughnuts and a selection of cheeses. And if you visit on a weekend or public holidays, you'll be treated to the sweet sounds of live tunes performed by a rotating line-up of local musos. The cherry-picking festival will run until late December at the Coldstream orchard,