December: Eat, stay, play
13 Dec 2016
Australian Capital Territory
‘Let them Eat Cake’
Step into the decadent, eccentric and luxurious world of the Palace of Versailles. For the first time, paintings, tapestries, furniture and statues from the palace will travel from France for all to enjoy. Featuring personal items belonging to royals such as Marie Antoinette, you can explore the lives of the people who walked these flamboyant halls.
Date: Until 17 April
Where: National Gallery of Australia
Tickets: Adult $27
For more information: nga.gov.au/versailles/
Northern Territory
New year celebrations
Ring in the new year with buzzing performances at the Darwin waterfront. Take a picnic, eat at a food stall or book in to one of the surrounding restaurants and welcome in 2017 with special guest Diesel from 9.30pm.
Date: 31 December
Where: Darwin Waterfront
Tickets: Free
For more information: waterfront.nt.gov.au/2016/11/rock-in-the-new-year-with-diesel-at-the-darwin-waterfront/
South Australia
Lights on Lobethal
Experience Lobethal’s light creations – the largest community Christmas light display in the Southern Hemisphere. Running for over 60 years, the ‘lights on’ ceremony marks the beginning of the event, which continues every night until New Year’s Eve.
Date: 11 to 30 December
Where: Lobethal, Adelaide Hills
Tickets: Free
For more information: www.lightsoflobethal.com.au/
Western Australia
Sprit of Anzac Centenary
Immerse yourself in history; this travelling exhibition hits Kalgoorlie to recognise and remember those who have served Australia from the First World War to the present day. Featuring a range of historical artefacts and personal stories, the exhibition is both educational and moving.
Date: 30 January to 5 February
Where: Goldfields Oasis Recreation Centre, Kalgoorlie
Tickets: Free (booking recommended)
For more information: www.spiritofanzac.gov.au/
Tasmania
Wonder about Art
Why do we need art? What purpose does it serve? Eccentric David Walsh (founder of MONA) asks these questions to four guest curators and ‘bio-cultural scientist-philosophers’: Steven Pinker, Geoffrey Miller, Brian Boyd and Mark Changzi. Explore their differing responses in the temporary exhibition ‘On the Origin of Art’.
Date: Until 17 April 2017
Where: Museum of Old and New Art
Tickets: Adult $28 (Museum Entry)
For more information: mona.net.au/museum/exhibitions/on-the-origin-of-art/information
New South Wales
Sydney Festival
Sydney comes alive in January – enjoy performances at the Carriageworks, a beach made of recyclable polyethylene balls at Barangaroo Reserve and food markets celebrating the tastes of Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai. The Sydney Festival is going to amaze, entice and entertain.
Date: 7 to 29 January
Where: Various
Tickets: Various
For more information: sydneyfestival.org.au/2017/
Victoria
Setting sail
Ever seen a sea full of sails? Head down to the Geelong waterfront to experience the Festival of Sails regatta, with food stalls, street performers and live entertainment. Since its beginnings in 1844, this historical regatta is a sporting event that will engage everyone.
Date: 21 to 26 January
Where: Geelong Waterfront & Royal Geelong Yacht Club
Tickets: Free
For more information: festivalofsails.com.au/
Queensland
Brisbane Comedy Festival
In its eighth year and with 66 comedians performing, including Dave Hughes, Cal Wilson and the Aboriginal Comedy Allstars, the four-week Brisbane Comedy Festival is guaranteed to keep you laughing.
Date: 26 February to 28 March
Where: Various
Tickets: Various
For more Information: brisbanepowerhouse.org/festivals/brisbane-comedy-festival-2017/
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