Darling Harbour Santa Fest - Santa Will Water Ski and Walk on Stilts with Free Events

Thirty days of Christmas fun at Sydney's much loved Darling Harbour. The Darling Harbour Santa Fest starts on the 24th of November, and runs all the way to Christmas eve. A paradise for kids, yet there will be some entertaining moments lined up for the young at heart too. This is where Darling Harbour turns red, in a sea of red with Santas engaging in bizarre activities from water skiing to walking on stilts.

Musical performances will also be the order of the day, as well as the perfect backdrop of fireworks. The Christmas tree will also light up.

The Santa Fest Water Spectacular is on Saturday the 24 November 2012 at 6:30pm. Location: Cockle Bay Wharf. Musical performances by the Sydney Youth Orchestra will be held on the 30th of November, and on the 1st of December 2012 between 7pm-9pm outside the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre right near the Christmas tree. The Youth Orchestra will also be held on the 7th and 8th of December from 7pm to 9pm. Australia's first authentic tango orchestra, Tango Oz will perform Argentine tango music with a Christmas flavour. On the 1st of December, a creative fireworks display will be on at 9pm.

Image: Darling Harbour Santa Fest website. Musical performances getting us all into the festive spirit

A capella music also comprises of this annual Santa Fest. Some of Sydney's best a capella groups such as Sway, Blues Point and Heartbeat will also perform many Christmas classics to get people into the Christmas spirit. The carols a capella performances will be on the following days and times during this festival:

Sunday 2 December 2012 - 7pm to 9pm.
Thursday 6 December 2012 - 7pm to 9pm.
Sunday 9 December 2012 - 7pm to 9pm.
Thursday 13 December 2012 - 7pm to 9pm.
Sunday 16 December 2012 - 7pm to 9pm.
Thursday 20 December 2012 - 7pm to 9pm.
Sunday 20 December 2012 - 7pm to 9pm.

If you're someone who loves your Christmas carols, you would have gone to one of many Carols by candlelight events in Sydney in the past. What about a carols sing-a-long? Your chance to be a karaoke superstar in front of the Christmas tree either solo or with some family and/or friends. Your chance to sing to your hearts content into the festive spirit:

Friday 14 December 2012 - 7pm to 9pm
Saturday 15 December 2012 - 7pm to 9pm
Friday 21 December 2012 - 7pm to 9pm
Saturday 22 December 2012 - 7pm to 9pm

If there is rain, events will continue as planned. No alcohol is allowed. Alcohol can only be enjoyed at licensed bars at Darling Harbour. There will be additional food and drink facilities available for families.

The celebrations would not be complete if it wasn't for the Christmas Eve carols near the massive tree. This is one Santa Fest that is different, and one that will sparkle. Merry Christmas Sydney.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Platypuses Reunited

This video captures the moment two of our female platypuses - Nada and Zoe - were reunited, after having spent over 6 months apart.

We have 3 platypuses here at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium - all females - and visitors can see them as soon as they enter the aquarium in the newly refurbished Freshwater area.

Save up to 30% on tickets on the official SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium website: http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au

Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour: Chirstmas Carols - Sydney CBD Choir Programme

On Thursday 22 November from noon-2pm and again from 7pm-9pm, carols will fill the air in Pitt Street Mall and Hyde Park.

This will continue every Thursday evening from 7-9pm, right up until 20 December, along Pitt Street Mall, Castlereagh Street and around the Queen Victoria Building.

The Cleftomaniacs, Alchemy a cappella, Soulfood a cappella, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, Circular Keys Chorus, Leichhardt Espresso Choir, The Bernoulli Effect and Tuxedo will be joined by roving entertainment.

So add an extra beat to your step this Christmas and head to the City Centre for the most Christmasy sounds around.

Date: Thursday 22nd of November 2012
Where: Hyde Park and Pitt Street Mall

Martin Place Children's Concert & Tree-Lighting

Join us at Martin Place to see the City of Sydney's beautiful Christmas tree lit for the first time this year, Thursday 29th November, 6pm - 8:30pm.

Before we flick the switch, an amazing line-up of music and entertainment, hosted by the X Factor's Luke Jacobz, will have you and the kids jumping, dancing and singing.

Fabulous songstress Paulini will be joined by Lah Lah's BIG Live Band, Teddy Rock, Sydney Children's Choir and Play School favourites Big Ted, Little Ted, Jemima and Humpty.

For a $2 donation the kids will get a fabulous showbag, which includes a cool flashing wand – perfect for waving at Santa! All proceeds go to our charity partner, Australian Children's Music Foundation.

One lucky boy or girl will even get the chance to ride through the city with Santa and help him light the tree with the Lord Mayor. Click here to enter the colouring-in competition

There will be fun, fireworks and plenty more surprises on the night, so make sure you stop by Martin Place and experience the city in all its glory this Christmas.

Date: Thursday 29th of November 2012
Time: 6pm - 8:30pm

New Kangaroo Walk-About at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Darling Harbour

WILDLIFE Sydney Zoo has welcomed the arrival of some gorgeous residents to the new Kangaroo Walk-About area. Walk amongst kangaroos and wallabies, see adorable baby emu chicks and you might just see wallaby joeys poking their heads out of the pouch!

You can even pat the kangaroos during feeding times. The babies will grow quickly, so make sure you visit before they grow up before your very eyes! Aquarium Wharf – Darling Harbour 9am-8pm (last entry 7pm) Book now!

Date: Friday 02 November 2012 - Thursday 31 January 2013
Location: 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour
For more information: http://www.wildlifesydney.com.au or (02) 9333 9288

Meet the Scientist at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

We had a fabulous night with aquarist Marty Garwood talking SEX, LIES & SQUID - the sexual deception of cephalopods. Thanks to all who attended. The next ‘Meet the Scientist’ event promises to be a cracker!

Bull sharks in the harbour – what are they up to? Dr Amy Smoothey, 14 Nov

 

Dr Amy Smoothey has been leading NSW DPI’s bull shark tagging program in Sydney Harbour and was featured in ABC’s ‘Shark Harbour’ in recent months, along with fellow shark scientist Dr Vic Peddemors.

Come and hear Amy’s experiences of tracking one of the most poorly understood sharks in the world.
As this is our final talk for the year we’ll be celebrating the beginning of the silly season by supplying a beer/wine or bubbly and some nibblies for those who’d like to celebrate with us!

When: Wednesday 14 November
Time: Doors open at 6pm. Talk from 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Where: Reef Theatre, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Cost: $15 including entry to the aquarium and refreshments. All proceeds go to conservation projects.

E.T. Has Landed at Madame Tussauds Sydney

To celebrate the Blu-ray release and the 30th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s beloved classic film, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Sydney’s Madame Tussauds today unveiled their astonishing wax figure of the iconic hero.

Whilst Sydney was the first to unveil E.T., The Extra Terrestrial star will also be appearing in Berlin, Amsterdam, London and Hollywood today as part of the global launch.

Helping E.T. into his new home was a troupe of local riders from Sydney BMX Club. Lachlan Stewart (11 years old, from Manly), led the group by taking the place of Elliott (Henry Thomas) in the film, bringing the classic bike scene to life.

From today, guests who visit the exhibit will also have the chance to take Elliott’s place in the scene that saw E.T. and Elliott soaring on a BMX against the stunning backdrop of a full moon. The figure was first perfectly sculpted in clay and then moulded in wax, with a team of expert colourists then using oil paints to perfectly recreate E.T.’s unique complexion. The entire process took around two months and cost £50,000 (over $75,000) to produce.

E.T. fans will also be able to relive many others classic scenes with the first ever release of the film on Blu-ray, featuring never-before-seen footage from the film set including an interview with director Steven Spielberg.

“We are delighted to be welcoming one of the greatest movie characters of all time to the attraction. We’re also absolutely certain that our guests are going to love the unique opportunity to ‘star’ in one of the most famous films ever made,” said Nicky Marsh, Madame Tussauds Global Marketing Director.

In 1982, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial became the biggest blockbuster of the year, debuting at number one around the world. A testament to its enduring appeal, it remains one of the most successful, well-loved films for the past three decades and will continue to inspire generations to come.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial will be out for first time on Blu-ray on October 31, 2012.
About Universal Pictures International Entertainment

Universal Pictures International Entertainment (UPIE) is the international home entertainment division of Universal Pictures, headquartered in London and headed by President, Eddie Cunningham. UPIE markets and distributes all Universal new releases, catalogue, special interest and local content titles, as well as some third party product, via direct operations in the UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand and Japan. UPIE also has distribution partnerships in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Spain and Russia, and sells and distributes home entertainment product via licensees covering another 55 territories.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

When: From October 22, 2012
Where: Madame Tussauds Sydney, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour (right next door to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo)

Hours: 9am to 8pm Daily

What: E.T. The Extra Terrestrial – Madame Tussauds and Universal Pictures presents E.T. The Extra Terrestrial Wax Exhibit

Box office: For more info and to purchase tickets please visit:

www.madametussauds.com/sydney

www.facebook.com/madametussaudssydney

UPIE is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.