Newsletter | #312 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for Tuesday to Monday, December 25 to 31, 2012.

This week... It's the biggest and last night of the year as we all shake off 2012 and those pessimistic Mayan wannabes hang their collective heads in shame - they at least owe a sheepish blush for all their nonsense.

With the timely lull amongst thespians and artists, all's quiet on the festive front, what with New Year's Eve and Christmas Day falling within the same week, as far as our humble newsletter's concerned.

What with it still being Christmas Eve as I write this, you'll have to excuse me now. I left the tree till the last minute and have to get back to wrestling with Professor Rubik's Christmas Lights - patent pending once he figures them out himself.

All that's really left to say is that I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas Day and have an equally wonderful New Year... Chin, chin!!

Major Events

City of Melbourne New Year's Eve presents the annual fireworks spectacular along with entertainment on offer throughout the city with highlights that include the free Family Festival at Yarra Park with live music, karaoke and even an Early Eve countdown with fireworks.
When: Monday December 31

New Year's Eve at Fed Square presents a great spot to see the fireworks with family-friendly celebrations and a safe, alcohol and glass-free environment where there'll be free live music and entertainment with King Marong & Afro Mandinko, break dancing and more.
When: Monday December 31 - 8pm to 12:30am

Peninsula Summer Music Festival, held at venues found in Mornington, Red Hill, Rosebud and other picturesque locales, presents a family-friendly program of musical adventures from international and local guests with cantatas by candlelight, jazz, chamber music and more.
When: December 29 to January 6

Spirit of the Square presents fabulous Christmas activities for the whole family at Federation Square with songs from the Salvos, community choirs and the playful festivities of In The Pines, an installation of over recycled plastic Christmas trees by local urban artists, The Projects.
When: December 1 to 30

New Year's Eve Hot Spots

New Year's Eve is already looming large, so to help plan ahead, check out just some of the many and varied New Year's events that we have listed. With music events, themed parties, concerts and more, New Year's Eve is set to be a big one when we show those uppity Aztecs what for!
New Year's Eve Hot Spots

School Holiday Guide

Check out our School Holiday Guide for the latest on what to do with the kids during Summer Holidays. The holiday guide offers a great range of activities for the young and young at heart, with events, tours, workshops, concerts and holiday programs.. all in marvellous Melbourne!
School Holiday Guide - Dec 21 to Jan 29

Art Exhibitions

Looking East - Looking South, held at M1ng Gallery in North Fitzroy, is an exhibition by Melba Nielsen. Reflecting two parts of her life, her Australian experiences are captured in a Western style of ink paintings, while Eastern influences are displayed in her Zengo calligraphic works.
When: Until January 17 - Thursdays to Saturdays

Creative Boutique Art Exhibition, held at Narelle Byrne Gallery in Kew, is a presentation of works from Lena Heto in collaboration with David Cantero. With works from Melbourne and Barcelona, the exhibition fuses a fun sense of culture, fashion and glamour through digital art on canvas.
When: Until December 30

TEES: Exposing Melbourne's T-shirt culture, held at NGV Studio, celebrates the T-shirt with a collaborative exhibition between creative agency Just Another and the world's only T-shirt journal T-world, showcasing some of Melbourne's most influential artists and brands.
When: Until February 17

More Exhibitions

Expos, Launches, Open Days & Lectures

Megan's Walk For a Wish, a charitable walk by Megan Flynn to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Australia, begins with her send off at the starting point of Docklands Park, from where' she'll be trekking to Adelaide, inspired by Shane Crawford's own charitable challenge in 2010.
When: Saturday December 29
Charity Auction & Send Off: 8am, Docklands Park

Melbourne Tours

Melbourne Tours & Activities are a great way to take Dad out on the town to discover some of the hidden treasures in your own city. With guided tours, winery excursions, sports events and more, there's no end of great attractions throughout Melbourne and Victoria.
Find Melbourne Tours & Activities

More Expos & Launches | More Open Days | More Tours

Performances & Theatre

Romeo & Juliet, performed at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens by The Australian Shakespeare Company, features a cast of some of Australia's most talented rising stars in a production that explores the rhythms of Shakespeare's much-loved poetic text vocally and musically.
When: Until March 9 - Various Times & Dates

War Horse, presented by The National Theatre of Great Britain and Global Creatures, is the hit production based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo. Appearing in Melbourne at the Arts Centre, the tale of courage, loyalty and friendship is performed with actors and life-sized puppets.
When: December 23 to February 10

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, held at Her Majesty's Theatre, stars the talented Geoffrey Rush as the scheming slave Pseudolus whose attempts to win freedom from the henpecked Senex and his overbearing wife lead to epic comical confusion.
When: Until January 6
Highly Recommended!! We're giving this 5 Stars!

Burlesque, Cabaret & Dance

Bohemia Cabaret Club, located in South Melbourne, caters to every taste with weekly cabaret and burlesque shows presenting everything from the sublime to the ridiculous and the base to the refined with shows that celebrate laughter, horror, joy and tears, sin and sensuality.
When: Wednesdays to Sundays

More Performances & Theatre | More Dance & Ballet

Entertainment & Nightlife

Pyramid Rock Festival, hitting its ninth year now, returns for a huge New Year's celebration on Phillip Island with yet another stellar line-up of performers that includes Anti-Flag, Xavier Rudd, Dead Letter Circus, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and many, many more special guests.
When: Saturday to Tuesday, Dec 29 to Jan 1

Two Door Cinema Club, currently in Australia to perform at the now sold-out Falls Festival, will be performing a sideshow at West Melbourne's Festival Hall. With their signature electro-tinged indie-pop, the Irish trio will be joined by The Vaccines and The Jungle Giants.
When: Saturday December 29

Live Music at The Lui Bar, part of Vue de monde at Melbourne's iconic Rialto, offers a perfect laid back Sunday with live entertainment and the spectacular views over Melbourne. Free to attend, their next guest performers are Sonya Veronica and Hugh Stuckey.
When: Sunday December 30 - 3pm to 7pm

Cinema

Les Miserables, the new cinematic adaptation of one of the world's most loved dramas starring Hugh Jackman, will screen at Palace Westgarth Cinema for a Fundraising Film night, held to raise proceeds AED Legal Centre in giving free access to justice to people with a disability.
When: Friday December 28 - 6pm to 9:30pm

Rooftop Cinema flickers into action with film screenings of everything from cult favourites to new releases and documentaries, literally offering the height of entertainment with screenings held on the rooftop of Swanston Street's Curtin House along with the rooftop bar.
When: Until January 30 - Various Dates

Ford Focus Moonlight Cinema, held at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, offers a program of new releases, classics, contemporary and children's films. A great way to spend a night out with friends and family, you can bring your own picnic or purchase food while there.
When: Until March 31 - Various Dates

Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema offers an eclectic mix of live music and entertainment provided by local and national artists. Held at St Kilda's South Beach Reserve, the cinema features a diverse program of films with classics, family films, current blockbusters and more.
When: Until January 6

More Live Gigs | More Comedy & Magic | More Cinema

Melbourne For Kids

Under The Sea, the theme of this year's annual Sand Sculpting Exhibition, is a special display on Frankston's Waterfront with over 3,500 tonnes of sand carved into spectacular sculptures that bring to life in meticulous detail a submerged world of breathtaking beauty.
When: December 26 to April 28

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition, on show at The Pavilion at Docklands, invites you to step through the wardrobe and into the world of Narnia where you'll get to see creatures, set dressings, props and over 150 stunning and original costumes from the blockbuster films.
When: Until February 2

The Wind in the Willows brings Melbourne's favourite family entertainment to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Pack a picnic, pack the kids and join Rat, Mole, Badger and Mr Toad, as they present the magical adventure of Kenneth Grahame's classic tale.
When: December 28 to January 26 - Tues to Sat

More Children's Events | Festive Fun

Markets, Fetes and Fairs

Melbourne Market Guide

View MARKETS calendar to make the most of the rare sunny days (it's a coin toss, isn't it!) and head to one of Melbourne's many excellent markets for a bargain!

A growing number of food, produce and even wine markets are springing up around the suburbs.

Fetes Fairs & Shows
Art & Craft Markets
Food & Produce Markets
Swap Meets
Garage Sales

Wining & Dining

bookarestaurant.com
bookarestaurant.com is the easiest way to book a restaurant online. With the choice to search by cuisine and location, you can find great dining offers with some of Melbourne's finest restaurants. Bookings are free and can be made online at any time of the day.
Book a Restaurant Today

Sporting Events

IASbet, Australia's premier online betting agency, offers better odds for Horse Racing and Sports Betting both here and overseas. An easy way to take a punt on any of the many races over the long weekend, you can even receive $100 in FREE bets when you join IASbet online.
Join IASbet for $100 in FREE Bets - Learn More

Cricket

Boxing Day Test, the biggest event in Australian cricketing, begins this week when Australia will take on Sri Lanka.
Australia v Sri Lanka
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Wednesday to Sunday, December 26 to 30

Soccer

Hyundai A-League | Round 13

Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
Friday December 28 - 7:30pm
AAMI Park, Melbourne

Horse Racing

Boxing Day Family Day @ Caulfield Races offers a great way to spend a family day out with sporting action for adults and a wide range of free attractions for kids that includes pony rides, roving entertainment, mini golf, craft activities and a special appearance from Santa.
When: Wednesday December 26 - Gates Open 10:30am

More Sports Events | More Motor Sports & Auto Events

Let Melbourne Know...

Advertise Your School Fete, Fair or Carnival FREE!
Everyone wants to support their local school by going to their annual fundraiser. Last year we promoted a whopping 1,200 school events. So, make sure you let your school organizers know they can list their fete, fair or carnival for FREE @ OnlyMelbourne!
Add Your Event for FREE Today!!

Trivia & Humour

Shaggy Dog

Shaggy Dog by Deej - Click Here to find what happens!

Wake Up, Komrade Jeff!

Strangely enough, during Day Light Savings, Melbourne, Australia shares the very same time zone as Vladivostok, Russia.

This is due to the fact that a lot of water lies between the two cities with only part of PNG and a number of Pacific islands separating Australia and Russia.

Read more facts about Date & Time | Read Melbourne Trivia...

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