We’re hardly going to remind you that it’s Christmas Day in two days time, but here are our three favourite things to do in Christmas week – other than giving thanks for our individual blessings, large and small.
1. Christmas Eve – Carols By Candlelight
Even if you’re not from Melbourne, Carols by Candlelight held each year on Christmas Eve at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the Botanical Gardens is a not-to-be missed event.
It’s been going for 76 years in aid of Vision Australia with around 100,000 people expected to attend (about the same number as fills the MCG). It’s a mixture of sentiment, kitsch, fun and laughter with plenty of opportunity for the audience at the event – or at home watching on TV – to singalong to favourite Christmas carols and songs. And, of course, there is a brief appearance – and usually a song and dance – from Santa as he continues on his way on his busiest night of the year.
If you haven’t got tickets, it’s well and truly too late but you can watch it on the NINE Network live from 8pm (check local guides).
2. Boxing Day – Boxing Day Test
Still in Melbourne, this is the number one day of Test cricket to attend all summer: the first day of the Boxing Day Test at the iconic MCG, especially when it’s part of the Ashes Series against England.
Some people are saying it won’t be the same this year as Michael Clarke and his men already have the Ashes in the bag with a 3-0 result from the first three Tests already.
But don’t you believe it! Melbourne people and visitors would not miss this event for the world. Australia v England, 3-0 up in The Ashes, Boxing Day. It will be a full house.
Bring. It. On.
At the time of writing, there are some tickets still available from Ticketek. If you can’t be there in person, it’s worth turning on the television just to see the opening overs for one of Australia’s great sporting occasions.
3. Boxing Day – Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race starts
A few hours after the Test starts, the other marquee sporting even for the festive season, the Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Race, gets underway in Sydney Harbour.
There are plenty of free vantage points to watch the yachts as they leave the Harbour and turn south out of Sydney Heads for what is expected to be a race record timeframe.
You may be fortunate enough to be on one of the many spectator vessels dotting the Harbour to farewell the 94-yacht race fleet. The Cruising Yacht Club has its own spectator vessels which you can join for $199, departing 11am and returning at 2.30pm. There is also a self-catering ferry available from Darling Point for $62 per person (buy drinks onboard).
Otherwise for free, gorgeous views of one of the most spectacular sights head to Taylors Bay, Chowder Bay, Obelisk Bay and North Head on the northern side of the Harbour or Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, Camp Cove or South Head on the southern side.
It's also a great time to be in Hobart from about Saturday as the yachts start to finish and the Constitution Dock area simply rocks with yachties, foodies and festival-goers.
Catch the action on the Seven Network before 1pm on Thursday (check local guides).
Have a great week everyone!
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