Towers of Tomorrow with Lego Bricks

Certified LEGO builder Ryan McNaught shows off his skills in this exhibition, recreating skyscraping buildings from Australia and Asia

Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks is a world premiere exhibition of astonishing LEGO skyscrapers at the Museum of Sydney.

Constructed by Ryan McNaught, one of only 12 LEGO® certified professionals worldwide, this exhibition celebrates tall and extraordinary buildings from Australia and Asia. Some are engineering head-turners while others are technical marvels. 

Some of these eye-popping giants, like the Shanghai Tower, pioneer new ways of living, while others like Singapore's Marina Bay Sands are instant global landmarks. Some are green, others lean. Some are strange and other-worldly, others are breathtakingly beautiful.

With several models standing over 3 metres high, with stunning architectural detail and playful use of colours and textures, each of these LEGO® structures is guaranteed to amaze. They'll also inspire the young and the young-at-heart to create their own ‘towers of tomorrow’

With over 200,000 loose LEGO® bricks on hand, you’ll have more than enough to build your own towering creation and add it to the colourful futuristic metropolis rising steadily in the heart of the exhibition.

“Like the real things, super-tall LEGO® buildings are truly inspirational,” says Mark Goggin, director of Sydney Living Museums, “Not only do Ryan's models prove what's possible with everyday LEGO®bricks, but experiencing so many of them together in a world first line-up, perched together side by side, is nothing short of mind-blowing, even at 1:200 scale.”

Ryan McNaught agrees, “it's by far the biggest building job I've ever faced and certainly the most fun. My head's still spinning.”


SNAP & SHARE TO WIN


Get creative in the exhibition for your chance to win a workshop with Ryan McNaught, a LEGO®Certified Professional. Simply snap a pic of you and you LEGO® bricks masterpeice while you're at the exhibition and share via your favourite social network with the tag #SLMtowers for a chance to win this hands-on workshop for you and five friends.

Terms & Conditions apply.

BECOME A MEMBER AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS

As a Sydney Living Museums Member you'll enjoy exclusive membership benefits, including priority access, behind-the-scene events, discounts, advanced ticket sales to select events and much more.

Special Member benefits for 'Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® bricks' are:
Special Members price of only $5 - save $10
Access to pre-sale tickets on 19 November – book the session you want
Special Members ONLY preview day 12 December – be the first to see the exhibition

View Source to Book this Event Now

Ricciardo revved up for F1 Melbourne

Ricciardo revved up for F1 Melbourne

Australian superstar Daniel Ricciardo was in Melbourne today to launch the 2015 Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix, as the event prepares to celebrate a milestone of two decades in Melbourne on 12-15 March.

Ricciardo took to the steps of the iconic Flinders Street Station, posing for photos alongside a Formula One car in an Australian Flag design, as excitement builds ahead of the event.

The spectacular Albert Park street circuit will again play host to the season opener of the 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship™ – with the V8 Supercars  once again part of the line-up – and Ricciardo believes the opening weekend in Melbourne is easily the most anticipated of the year.

"The Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix is pretty much the best way to start the season for me. It's one of my favourite events, not just because it's on home soil but because it's the first race, the first time you really get to put everything on the table and see where you stack up," Ricciardo said.

"The last year has been an incredible year for me, I couldn't have wished for a better start to my career with Infiniti Red Bull Racing. The fans and the support we get at the Australian GP is incredible and last year I definitely felt it on track. I'm looking forward to getting out there already – I'm excited!"

The Minister for Tourism & Major events, the Hon. John Eren MP, was also in attendance – he said the event is a proud part of Victoria's major events calendar.

"As the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix prepares to stage its 20th consecutive race since it came to Melbourne in 1996; there is no question that the event holds huge value to the State. This significant milestone is a timely reminder of how truly entrenched this event is in the social, cultural and sporting fabric of the city,” Minister Eren said.

"We are delighted the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix has been secured until 2020, the benefits to the tourism industry and the economy are indisputable. The global broadcast of the race is the perfect platform to showcase Melbourne to the world, with images of our stunning city skyline and parklands shown to millions across the globe.”

Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman, Mr Ronald J Walker AC CBE, said with the most promising local driver in decades set to line up on the grid; anticipation for the 2015 event is particularly high.

"We have an exceptional talent in Daniel Ricciardo; his fighting spirit and infectious smile have captured the imagination of all Australians. He has built on the strong foundations of Mark Webber, and we are incredibly fortunate to have the privilege of seeing him challenge the world's very best on home soil this March,” Mr Walker said.

Sunday General Admission tickets purchased before 1 March, 2015 are available at the early bird price of just $79. For more information, visit www.grandprix.com.au

5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) Australia Show Tou

Hot on the heels of selling out two shows at London's iconic Wembley Arena, the chart-topping Sydney boys are heading out on the road to play their first-ever headline Australian arena shows, touring in support of their recently released self-titled #1 smash hit debut album - not bad for four teenagers from the Western suburbs of Sydney. 

5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) – Luke, Calum, Michael and Ashton, started the month with an incredible five songs in the top 50 of the ARIA single chart: double platinum debut and worldwide iTunes #1 She Looks So Perfect, UK #2 Don't Stop, Amnesia, Kiss Me Kiss Me and Everything I Didn't Say. The lyric video for their upcoming single, Amnesia, has already had more than 5.7 million views.

5SOS are a worldwide success with more than 92 million views on YouTube, more than five million fans on Facebook, a combined 15-million-plus Twitter followers and more than 1.75 million followers on Instagram.

Australia Tour Dates:

Allphones Arena, Sydney NSW  Sat 20 Jun
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, QLD  Tue 23 Jun
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC  Thu 25 Jun
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA  Sat 27 Jun
Perth Arena, WA   Mon 29 Jun

Ideal Show Accommodation | Metro Hotels

About 5SOS (5 Seconds of Summer)

Formed in Sydney in 2011, the band consists of Luke Hemmings (lead vocals, guitar), Michael Clifford (guitar, vocals), Calum Hood (bass guitar, vocals) and Ashton Irwin (drums, vocals). The group were originally YouTube celebrities, posting videos of themselves covering songs from various artists in 2011. 

From there, they gained a small following in 2012 after posting a series of cover versions of popular songs ontoYouTube, then rose to international fame when One Direction invited them on their Take Me Home Tour.

Jessica Mauboy Celebrates Launch of free Australia Day Concerts at Sydney Opera House

The iconic Opera House will serve as the picturesque location for Australia Day celebrations in 2015.

To amp up the atmosphere, two free concerts will be held on January 26 with approximately 7,000 free tickets available to the public via ballot.

Popular children's group The Wiggles will be one of the main acts on the festive day, with another concert consisting of favourite Aussie performers, including Jessica, Justice Crew and Geronimo hit makers, Sheppard.

Actress Jessica has already performed at the Opera House and has fond memories of the venue.

'It was of course where the Australian Idol Grand Final took place in November 2006 and it was on the steps of the Sydney Opera House that I performed my first Number One single Burn,' the former reality TV star recalled.

'To be invited back to this amazing Australian landmark to perform is a wonderful opportunity.' 

Justice Crew also have an interesting link with the location, having previously busked outside the famed structure.

'One of our first career highlights was to actually be invited to perform at the Sydney Opera House as Janet Jackson’s opening act,' the group revealed.

'To be at the Sydney Opera House on Australia Day is a real magic moment and we will rise to the occasion with our performance!

Jessica is no stranger to public performances, having recently put on an energetic show at the ARIA music awards last month.

Putting her powerful voice to good use, the musician took to the stage in a strapless blue jumpsuit covered in sequins.

She performed her latest hit Can I Get a Moment, which has achieved gold sales in just over a month.

Despite her star status, Ms Mauboy failed to take out any awards after being nominated for Album of the Year, Best Female Artist and Best Video. 

Although she didn't walk away with a trophy this year, Jessica took out Best Female Artist last year and Highest Selling Single for Running Back in 2009.

Spectacular Sydney Christmas Lights and Decorations 2014

by Ivana Katz

When: 3 November - 25 December
Website: www.sydneychristmas.com.au
Where: Sydney CBD
Cost: Mostly free

Don't Miss Out on The Fabulous Free Fun!

For the past few years my friends and I have packed up the kids and ventured into Sydney CBD to see the Christmas lights and decorations. And even though the venues we visit have remained the same, there is always something new and exciting to explore.

Seeing Christmas lights through children's eyes is magical – that is if you can drag them away from all the toy and game displays. This year Christmas is going to be no different. Here are some of our favourite spots to visit:


1. Queen Victoria Building

Christmas at the QVB is always spectacular. Not only do you get to see the beautiful sparkly tree which rises through several floors, but all the stores are cheerfully decorated and the atmosphere is warm and cosy. If you are lucky, you may even get to see street performers or appearances by fabulous guests, such as Jessica Mauboy who appeared a couple of years ago.

If you have young children, head to the Swarovski Crystal Garden for Christmas and have photos taken with Santa. With over 12,000 crystal ornaments, forestry and traditional Santa settings, this will be one photo session your kids won't quickly forget. As this is a very popular destination, it is recommended you get there early, particularly on the weekends.

Dates: 8 November – 24 December
Address: Queen Victoria Building, George Street, Sydney

2. Martin Place Christmas Tree

Each year the tree decorations are amazing and this year promises to add an extra dimension. Share the Christmas spirit by sending text messages to 0427 840 851 or #sydxmastree and your special wish will be displayed on the branches of the tree.

Dates: Thursday 27 November – Thursday 25 December 2014

Address: Martin Place, Sydney

To kick off the festivities, on Thursday 27 November from 6pm – 8.30pm you can also enjoy a family friendly Christmas Concert which features characters from Sesame Street, Lah Lah's Big Live Band and naturally the guy in the red suit is making an appearance.

3. David Jones Window Display

Always a remarkable treat, the David Jones Window Display offers new surprises each Christmas season. This year you can see the much loved displays from Tuesday 3 November – 25 December.

Have Santa photos taken in the new enchanted Magic Cave world. Transport yourself into one of many Christmas scenes using green screen and even have your Santa Photo experience on DVD. Bookings can be made online or instore.

If you have a feathered, fluffy or furry friend, bring them along for a happy Santa photo too.

David Jones Santa has joined the mobile trend and has created his own Santa app. Download the David Jones Magic Santa app and put yourself into the scene with an interactive Christmas experience with Santa and his Reindeer.

From 11 December to 24 December the David Jones Staff Choir perform each day for 30 minutes from 9am. Their special Christmas Eve performance begins at 8am.

Date: 3 November – 25 December 2014
Address: Elizabeth Street, Sydney


4. Hyde Park

Sydney's iconic Hyde Park is a wonderful place to walk through at night with its many fairy lights and Christmas tree decorations.

On Thursday 27 November from 6pm – 8.30pm enjoy a free family friendly Christmas concert. Your kids will love entertainment by Tom & Jerry, Hi-5 as well as craft activities, sausage sizzle, yummy ice cream and carols by Emma Pask and St Andrews Cathedral Choir.

Date: 27 November 2014 for Christmas concert, but decorations can be seen throughout the Christmas season

Address: Hyde Park, Elizabeth Street, Sydney

5. Town Hall

Watch the historic Town Hall come alive with unbelievable light projections every night from 8.30pm to 1am.

On Tuesday 16 December 2014 Town Hall puts on a Christmas concert from 8pm to 9.30pm. Cost is $15 for adults and $12 for children. Tickets sell out quickly, so make sure you book now at the City Recital Hall.


6. Strand Arcade and Pitt Street Mall

Stroll through Strand Arcade and admire lovely Christmas decorations. Take a break in one of Strand Arcade or Pitt Street Mall cafes and enjoy delicious Christmas treats or take in the many free shows put on by local street performers.

Address: The Strand Arcade between Pitt Street & George Street, Sydney


Source: http://www.weekendnotes.com/spectacular-sydney-christmas-lights-and-decorations/

Summer Sporting Extravaganza to Boost Australian Economy

In Australia, summer is all about sport. This season the addition of two major international events to the calendar is a big bonus, not just for sports lovers but for the economy as well.

Australians who don't enjoy sport turn off the television and head for the beach at this time of year.

For everyone else, there's a smorgasbord of Test and one-day cricket, PGA golf, an internationally famous yacht race, a grand slam tennis event, cycling and Formula One races.

The country is set to enjoy an unprecedented quantity of world sport worth an estimated A$320m ($267m; £172m) to the economy thanks to the addition of two major events.

The Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup - being held across five cities in January - and the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup, which will be played in Australia and New Zealand in February and March, eclipse other events in size and dollar value.

The Asian Cup is the biggest sporting event in Asia and the cricket World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world after the summer Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.

Australia's summer of sport

• December 9 - January 10: Four cricket Test matches, Australia v India.
• December 11-14: Australian PGA golf Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast.
• December 26-30: Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
• January 9 - January 31, 2015: Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup.
• January 16 - February 1: Cricket one-day international tri series, Australia, India and England.
• January 17-25: Tour Down Under cycling classic, Adelaide and South Australia.
• January 19 - February 1: Australian Open grand slam tennis, Melbourne.
• February 14 - March 29: ICC World Cup.
• March 12-15: Australian Grand Prix Formula One, Melbourne.

Every year, between 1 December and 1 April, there are five million tickets on sale for sport and entertainment events across New South Wales, according to state government body Destination NSW. For the same period in 2014-2015, there are eight million tickets on sale.

"That's what happens when you add an Asian Cup and a World Cup to the calendar," says Asian Cup chief executive officer Michael Brown. "There's going to be a lot more people spending a lot more dollars."

Test Cricket

Australia's golden summer begins with the first of four Test cricket matches between Australia and India on 9 December. The fixtures were rescheduled to start later in the month because of the sudden death in late November of 25-year old Australian Test player Phillip Hughes.

Golf

The first Test now clashes with the Australian PGA golf event, while the Sydney to Hobart yacht race - which organisers claim is the largest spectator sporting event in the world - competes with the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

An estimated one million spectators will watch the start of the yacht race - about 300,000 of them from the water and another 700,000 lining Sydney's harbour and coastline, says chief executive officer of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Mark Woolf.

Economic Ipmact

The economic impact, however, is incalculable, says Mr Woolf, because it is a free spectator event.

"The metrics that come out of this race are enormous," he says. "It's not a stadium event. We don't have a captive audience. But there are tentacles everywhere.

"There's the investment of transporting and accommodating 118 boats and crew for the start. The crews bring their friends and families. Then there's provisioning and fuelling and self-catering for spectator picnics.

"Even the NSW town of Eden gets an economic lift. It's the last safe harbour for boats to refuel and restock before crossing Bass Strait. Once they reach Hobart the boats and crews have to get back to Sydney.

"Then there's the impact of those TV pictures of a perfect Sydney harbour beaming into Europe and America in the middle of winter on their Christmas night. It's hard to quantify the publicity and future tourism impact."

Asia Cup Soccer

As the Test cricket ends the Asian Cup kicks off on 9 January, with 16 teams playing 32 matches in Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

According to Mr Brown, PricewaterhouseCoopers has said the event will pump A$225m into the economy. Asian Cup organisers target ticket sales of 500,000, with 50,000 international visitors expected to attend.

Three of Australia's top ten trading partners - China, Japan and South Korea - have qualified, which means hosting the Asia Cup is a unique tourism, trade and investment opportunity for the country and the region, he says.

"The Asian Cup is Asia's biggest sporting event and football is the biggest team sport and the most popular sport in Asia," Mr Brown says. "In Asia, football outstrips cricket as a sport."

Tourism Tsunami

But the Asian Cup will also have to compete for spectators and TV audiences with the Tour Down Under cycling classic in South Australia and the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament in Melbourne.

ICC World Cup Cricket

Then, the biggest sporting event of the summer begins on 14 February. More than one million people are expected to attend 49 one-day matches featuring 14 teams playing in the ICC World Cup at venues in Australia and New Zealand.

ICC World Cup chief executive officer John Harnden says 500,000 tickets have already been sold and tens of thousands of international spectators are expected to attend, creating a tourism tsunami between the two countries.

"There will be a lot of travel between Australia and New Zealand, and then India, the UK and the US are the three primary points of origin (for spectators)," says Mr Harnden.

"It is a great opportunity to showcase ourselves to the world and benefit from that great word of mouth from all those tens of thousands of tourists saying what a great time they had. If the Australian and New Zealand teams do well, that will be an even bigger bonus."

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Embrace the spirit of Christmas with our A-Z of festive events across Sydney

Charlie Hodgon, 4, Lola Treseder, 7, and Ted Treseder, 9, at the Lego Christmas Tree in the Pitt St Mall. Picture credit: John Fotiadis

By DAVID FITZSIMONS

EMBRACE the spirit of Christmas with this A-Z guide to Sydney’s biggest trees, best places for carol singing, Christmas markets, gift ideas and a few surprises. From Alexandria to Zetland, Bankstown to Engadine, we’ve got you covered.

ALEXANDRIA, AUBURN:

● Alexandria Village concert, Alexandria Park Oval, Power
Ave, Alexandria; December 6 6.30pm-8.30pm, free, sydneychristmas.com.au

Head to the inner-city for a fun family concert featuring kids entertainment, music, fireworks and a visit from Santa Claus.

● Auburn Carols In The Park, RAAF Stores Park, Princes Rd East, Auburn; December 21, 3pm-7.30pm, free, auburn.nsw.gov.au

Start the afternoon with a sausage sizzle, while the kids meet the animals in the kindy farm before carol singing starts at 5.30pm.

BANKSTOWN, BONDI,

● Bankstown Carols By Candelight, Paul Keating Park, The Mall, Bankstown; December 13, from 6pm, free, bankstown.nsw.gov.au

Sing along with local choirs and enjoy a sausage sizzle to celebrate Christmas around Bankstown’s new 10m-high Christmas tree — one of the tallest in Sydney.

● Bondi Carols By The Sea,
South Park, Bondi Beach; December 10, 6pm-8.30pm, free, waverley.nsw.gov.au

It’s a popular annual event where local groups unite at the beach for carol singing, performances by local artists and kids entertainment, led by the Bondi Brass group.

Martin Place lights up for Christmas

CAMPBELLTOWN, CANBERRA, CASTLE HILL, CITY, COOGEE

● Campbelltown City Christmas Carols, Campbelltown Arts Centre, 1 Art Gallery Rd, Campbelltown; December 6 6pm-9.30pm, free, Campbelltown.nsw.gov.au

The crowds will gather outside the Arts Centre at the amphitheatre for carols, the lighting of the tree, song and dance performances from local artists plus a visit from Santa.

● Canberra Old Bus Depot Markets, 21 Wentworth Ave, Kingston, Canberra; December 6-7, December 13-14 and 20-21, 10am-4pm, free entry, obdm.com.au

If you’re in the ACT, head to these massive Christmas markets over the next three weekends to find everything you need for the festive season, from gifts to decorations, trees and more.

● Castle Hill Christmas Sky Show, Main St, Castle Hill; daily until December 30, 8pm-9pm, free, thehills.nsw.gov.au

Treat yourself and the family to a spectacular light show featuring a 40m x 10m canopy over the street. Local music schools and choirs will lead Christmas singing.

● City, Martin Place Christmas Tree and Street Light Disco, The Lego Christmas Tree outside Westfield Sydney, Christmas Light Forest in Pitt St Mall, Christmas Projections on Sydney Town Hall, Lights Of Christmas, St Marys Cathedral; various times, free, sydneychristmas.com.au, lightsofchristmas.com.au

The CBD is bathed in festive fun all through December, with huge Christmas trees, light shows and light projections on the Town Hall and St Marys Cathedral reminiscent of the Vivid Festival. Paulini and Mark Vincent will perform at the St Marys opening ceremony from 7pm on Tuesday. The Lego tree has 500,000 bricks weighs 3.5 tonnes, stands 10m high and took about 1300 hours to build.

● Coogee Carols, Goldstein Reserve, Coogee Beach; December 21, 6.30pm-8.30pm, free, coogeecarols.com.au

A host of stars and entertainers and a 12-piece band will lead the thousands of people expected at the beach once again for this major carolling event.

St Mary’s Cathedral will be illuminated until Christmas Day

DARLING HARBOUR, DEE WHY, DOMAIN

● Darling Harbour Santa Fest 2014, Darling Harbour; daily until December 24, various times, most events free, darlingharbour.com

Movie nights, paddleboat rides, a huge tree, the Santa Fun Run and the Polish Christmas Festival tomorrow, Saturday night fireworks and 21 glow-in-the-dark inflatable Santas add up to an incredible chunk of Christmas cheer for the whole family.

● Dee Why Christmas By The Beach, Dee Why Beach; December 19, 5pm-9pm, free entry, warringah.nsw.gov.au

Head to Dee Why on the last Friday before Christmas for twilight markets that might just have your last-minute Christmas gift. There will be kids craft, music, carol singing and, of course, Santa.

● Domain, Carols In The Domain, Royal Botanic Garden; December 20, 8.30pm-11pm, free, carolsinthedomain.com

For more than 30 years, families have taken their rugs, low seats and picnics to the city for Australia’s biggest free carol-singing festival. This year’s stars include Adam Garcia, Judith Durham, the cast of Wicked The Musical and The Wiggles.

Carols return to The Domain on December 20

ENGADINE

● Engadine Christmas Fun Day, Engadine Town Square, 1040 Old Princes Hwy, Engadine; December 6, 9am-3pm, free, sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au

Join Santa at Engadine today for heaps of fun, including markets stalls, mini train rides, a petting zoo, mini putt golf and entertainment.

FAIRFIELD

● Fairfield Christmas Tree, Epoch Plaza, Fairfield Town Centre, daily; Carols In The Garden, Fairfield City Museum And Gallery, 632 The Horsley Dve, Smithfield, December 6, 6pm-8.30pm; fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au

Check out the huge tree in the centre of town and join in tonight’s session of carol singing, along with live entertainment, a craft market and refreshments.

GLENHAVEN

● Glenhaven Carols By Candlelight, Glenhaven Oval, Glenhaven; December 14, 5.30pm-9pm, free, thehills.nsw.gov.au

Carnivale comes to the hills when local dance groups, young entertainers and school dances perform and support carol singing. It culminates in a big fireworks show.


HUNTERS HILL, HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS, HYDE PARK BARRACKS

● Hunters Hill Carols In The Park, Boronia Oval, Ryde and Park Rds, Hunters Hill; December 7, from 6pm, free, huntershill.nsw.gov.au

Carols, Santa, fireworks, face-painting, an animal farm, crafts — what more would you want from a Yuletide event?

● Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular, 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin;
daily except Christmas Day, 6.30pm-10pm, adult $25, child $20, under 3 free, family $60, huntervalleygardens.com.au

More than 1.5 million lights will dazzle people young and old in this amazing show featuring Winne The Pooh, Alice In Wonderland and a North Pole display. There is also live music, roaming performers and the chance to meet Santa for a photo.

● Hyde Park Barracks Museum Christmas Fare, Macquarie St, City; December 18, 4pm-8pm, gold-coin entry, sydneylivingmuseums.com.au

More than 40 food artisans will be selling their handcrafted specialist foods and beverages at this unique Christmas fair. You can buy gifts and sample some of the fine produce on offer plus explore the museum.

Grab a gift, or two, at Hyde Park Barracks Christmas market

ILLAWONG

● Illawong RFS Santa Runs 2014, Illawong; December 13-24 weekdays from 6pm, weekends from 4pm, free, facebook.com/IllawongRFS

The fire brigade will be taking Santa for rides through the Illawong area to meet local families and kids.

JENOLAN CAVES

● Jenolan Caves Christmas Day Lunch and Dinner, Chisolms Restaurant, Jenolan Caves; December 25, various times and prices, jenolancaves.org.au

If you’re looking for a different Christmas experience, why not chill out in the mountains? Lunch and dinner menus and accommodation in the heritage complex are available and cave tours will run on Christmas and Boxing Day.

KARIONG, KELLYVILLE, KING STREET WHARF

● Kariong Christmas Fair 2014, Mount Penang Gardens And Event Park, Kariong; December 7 9am-2pm, free, fixxevents.com.au

Join MasterChef’s Julie Goodwin and 150 stallholders for the Central Coast’s largest Christmas fair. There will be heaps of entertainment and plenty of activities at a great new location.

● Kellyville Hills Community Carols, Hills Adventist College, 4 Gum Nut Close, Kellyville; December 14, 5pm-8pm, free, hillscommunitycollege.com

This is a true family Christmas event with live entertainment, carol singing as well as organised fun and games for the kids.

● King Street Wharf Ribbon Cone Christmas Tree, Promenade and Lime Sts, City; daily from 8pm, free, kingstreetwharf.com.au

You won’t miss this Christmas tree. Standing 13m tall, this unique Slovakian-made, Australian-designed ribbon tree has 1500 LED lights and is environmentally friendly.

King St Wharf’s Christmas tree has 1500 LED lights

LIVERPOOL

● Liverpool Tree Lighting Ceremony and Night Markets, Macquarie St, Liverpool; December 6, 4pm-9.30pm, free entry, Liverpool.nsw.gov.au/nightmarkets

Sing along with Christmas carols as Liverpool’s big tree is lit. Check out the night markets for Christmas gifts and a delicious meal.

MARRICKVILLE

● Marrickville Kids Zone: Christmas Craft, Marrickville Library, Marrickville and Petersham Rds, Marrickville; December 11, 3.30pm-4.30pm, free, marrickville.nsw.gov.au

Book ahead for this terrific kids craft workshop that will teach your youngsters how to design and make their own Christmas cards and decorations.

NORTH RYDE

● North Ryde Carols On The Common, Wicks and Twin Rds, North Ryde; December 21, from 5.30pm, carolsonthecommon.org.au

Join the crowds at one of Sydney’s biggest carols festivals. There will be live entertainment, kids rides, food stalls and fireworks.

ORAN PARK

● Oran Park Christmas Lights, various venues, Oran Park; daily, free, oranparktown.com.au

The residents of one of our newest suburbs have been encouraged to light up their houses for a Christmas competition so there should be plenty to see if you take a drive to the southwest.

PARRAMATTA, PENRITH

● Parramatta Christmas Tree, Centenary Square, Parramatta, daily, free, parracity.nsw.gov.au; Carols By Candelight, Old Government House, Parramatta Park, December 6, 7pm-9pm, gold coin donation, nationaltrust.org.au

Check out the massive tree in the new-look square in Church St and head over to the park to sing traditional carols along with the NSW Police Band, the Model Farms High School choir. See Santa arrive as well.

● Penrith Carols By Candlelight, Penrith Paceway, Penrith; December 14, gates 4pm, from 6pm-9pm, free, clubpacewaypenrith.com

Father Christmas is flying in by chopper, there will be live entertainment and dancers and there’s even a race for people dressed as Santa. Add in carol singing and fireworks and you have a big night out.

Imaad Scowdhury, 2, and Scarlet Aiken, 2, check out the tree in Parramatta’s new-look square. Picture credit: Phillip Rogers

QVB

● QVB Christmas, George St, City; daily, various times, free entry, photos various prices, qvb.com.au

The Swarovski Christmas tree, with more than 144,000 ornaments and 60,000 lights, is a majestic sight, particularly in such an iconic setting as the historic Queen Victoria Building. Santa and his helpers will be in residence in the crystal garden for those wanting a Christmas photo.

RICHMOND

● Richmond Rotary Carols in Richmond Park, Windsor and East Market Sts, Richmond; December 14, 6pm-10pm, free, hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

Settle down for a family night in the centre of Richmond. You can buy electric candles, glow sticks and glowing bracelets to help light up your night as you sing along.

STRATHFIELD, SYDNEY TOWER

● Strathfield Christmas Carols Featuring Movies In The Park, Strathfield Park, Homebush Rd, Strathfield; today 5pm-10pm, free, strathfieldmovies.com.au

Combine carol singing with the outdoor screening of the kids movie Frozen. Santa will appear and the evening ends with a big fireworks display.

● Sydney Tower Eye Santa’s Grotto, Westfield Sydney, 100 Market St, City; daily 9am-10pm, adult $26, child $15, sydneytowereye.com

Soar 250m into the sky to see Santa at the highest place in town — the top of the Sydney Tower. Get a free photo with Santa, receive a free gift and admire the spectacular view.

Get a photo with Santa at Sydney Tower

THORNLEIGH, TURRAMURRA

● Thornleigh Family Christmas Carols By Candelight, Headen Park, Sinclair Ave, Thornleigh; December 14, 6.30pm-9.30pm, free, hornsby.nsw.gov.au

Bring a picnic rug and settle in for live music and community carols. And there’s face-painting for the kids.

● Turramurra Carols In The Chapel, Lady Davidson Hospital Chapel, Bobbin Head Rd,
North Turramurra; December 14, 5pm-6.30pm, free, bobbinheadchurch.com.au

Enjoy a traditional night of carol singing in church led by the Landings Choir following a festive supper.

UMINA

● Umina Library Christmas Storytime, Umina Library, West and Bullion Sts, Umina; December 16, 10.30am-11.30am, free, gosford.nsw.gov.au

There are plenty of Christmas events around the Central Coast but if you are looking at something a little different for the kids, check out the activities at Umina library. Even Santa will be showing up.

VAUCLUSE

● Vaucluse House Make And Take: Christmas Craft, Wentworth Rd, Vaucluse; December 13 and 14 noon-3pm, child $5 plus museum entry, sydneylivingmuseums.com.au

Kids aged three and over can learn how to make Christmas decorations and try ginger biscuits in two fun afternoons.

WOLLONGONG

● Wollongong 25th Annual Bikers Toy Run, Crown St Mall, Wollongong; December 6, from 10.30am, free, wollongong.nsw.gov.au

The motorbikes will be cruising from Shellharbour to the centre of Wollongong bringing gifts for disadvantaged kids. They arrive from 11am and Santa will be there too. There will be live entertainment and free face-painting.

XMAS X-FACTOR

● Xmas X-Factor, A Very Puppy Christmas, The Skyline Drive-In, Blacktown; December 21, 7am-2pm, car $2, walk-in $1, blacktownmarkets.com.au

We don’t have any suburbs starting with X but this event should be a great way to start the Christmas week. Bring along your pooch and enter the best dressed dog, owner-dog lookalike and ugliest dog contest. There will be heaps of pet-themed stalls and live entertainment.

YAGOONA

●Yagoona Lights, 169 Wycombe St, Yagoona; daily from 7.30pm, free, yagoonalights.com

Plenty of people put Christmas lights on their houses but few set up a website complete with videos and lighting details. This guy even has an FM radio station you can tune into for music to sequence the lights.

ZETLAND

● Zetland Laneway Learning At the Library; Bath Bombs, Green Square Library, Joynton Ave, Zetland; December 6, 11am, free, cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

At this workshop, all materials are supplied to make perfumed bath bombs.

Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/arts/embrace-the-spirit-of-christmas-with-our-a-z-of-festive-events-across-sydney/story-fniv7r7y-1227145536521