What’s Happening in December?

Santa is on his way and a new year is around the corner. Thank goodness for that. It’s the last month of 2020, and boy-oh-boy what a year it has been.

Take the time this December to celebrate the simple things in life we so often take for granted: family and friends, sunshine filled days, fresh salty air and an abundance of opportunities to enjoy this stunning place we live and holiday in.

Read on for Christmas festivities, New Year’s Eve dance floors and plenty of wining and dining in-between.

City of Busselton Art Award Opening Street Party | 4 December

Busselton

The art work is just the beginning of the entertainment when it comes to the City Of Busselton Art Award opening Street Party. After you’ve checked out over 100 pieces of West Australian art, stick around for the announcement of the award winners and enjoy a smorgasbord of live music and aerial dance performances; accompanied by plenty of food and drink available to purchase.

Beerfarm turns 5 | 5 December

Metricup

Party hats at the ready! The Beerfarm turns 5 and they’re celebrating with a good old fashioned hoe down. There’ll be plenty of beer flowing (of course), Burnt Ends BBQ, a waterslide for the kids, live music from Stumptown and giveaways.

Bubbles and Blooms at Howard Park | 5 December

Cowaramup

A favourite fixture on the summer event circuit of the south west, Howard Park’s Bubbles and Blooms is a day filled with the best things in life: sparkling wine and floral delights. With a sparkling line up from Prosecco right through to Premier Cru Champagne, you’ll be able to wander in a bubbly bliss among the flower market stalls, before enjoying local delicacies and chilled out tunes from Kachina DJs.

2020 International Cabernet Tasting and Long Lunch | 5 December

Margaret River

If you’ve been waiting for a good reason to finally make it along to taste some of the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignon at Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting and Long Lunch; then now’s the time. With the 50^th anniversary of the winery, the 2020 event is bound to be an extra special event celebrating the king of the grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon.

Christmas Carols and Concerts | Various dates in December

Margaret River Region

One of the best parts of an Aussie Christmas is the outdoor Xmas Carolling. No need to rug up and brave the cold; here we are lucky enough to stretch out under the gumtrees in the warmth of the summer evening. Kicking off the season on the 4^th December, Margaret River’s Christmas Carols in the Park includes music from the local concert band and community choir, under the stars on Gloucester Oval. At the other end of the region, the Busselton Foreshore Is home to Carols by the Jetty on the 12^th December. Tickets are limited to this year’s event, due to Covid safety requirements, so be sure to register your seat in advance. Happs Classic Christmas Concert is perfect for those slightly more discerning music lovers, as the rose-framed amphitheatre of Happs Winery is set alive with classical carols by piano quintet from Perth. Finally, get in for the last of the Christmas sing-a-longs at Carols in the Park in Dunsborough on the 20^th December.

Christmas Markets | Various dates in December

Margaret River Region

Almost as fun as Christmas Day itself, a morning spent pottering about a good old fashioned Christmas market is bound to get you in the festive spirit. First up is a truly magical setting at the Quill Collective’s Creative Christmas Markets. Cake, coffee and all things crafty – you are sure to find a few goodies for under the Xmas tree here on the 5^th December. Pop over to Busselton’s ArtGeo courtyard for another Xmas fair on the same morning, with lots of local artisans setting up their wares for sale at the Courtyard Christmas Bazaar. Final stop on this Xmas shopping weekend is down in Margaret River at the TAFE campus for the Spirit of Christmas Fair on the following morning, Sunday the 6^th December. A bouncy castle and free crafts for the kids is an added sweetener to shop local this festive season.

Outdoor Movies | Various dates

Yalingup and Margaret River

Cape Mentelle’s Movies under the stars are one of the highlights of the year in Margaret River. A glass of wine, a starlit sky and a blockbuster on the big screen – it doesn’t get much better than that. Never fear, if you are a movie lover but Margs is a bit far to travel, Caves House has the northern end of the cape sorted with their summer season of Outdoor Movies. Settle in for a night in front of the big screen as the sun sets over the gardens of beautiful Caves House Hotel. Movies screen every Tuesday and Thursday, with drinks and food available at the main bar and pizza shack.

Summer Soltice at Passel Estate | 18 December

Margaret River

What better way to enjoy the longest day of the year, than with a glass of wine in hand as the sun sets amongst the vines? Well, it gets even better at Passel Estate’s Summer Solstice Celebration of Light, as you’ll also have a delicious hamper and an alfresco concert from some of Western Australia’s premier jazz musicians. Toast to long summer days, as Cassandra Charlick and her Gypsy Jazz trio fill the air with the sounds of French Manouche jazz guitar, accompanied by sultry vocals in the balmy evening.

Christmas Day Celebrations | 25 December

Margaret River Region

If you have ever enjoyed a Christmas Lunch outside of the family home, you’ll know what a difference a chef and service staff can make to the enjoyment of all. Let others get their kitchen messy this Xmas day, and head along to Christmas Day Lunch at Swings and Roundabouts,  where you’ll wash down oysters with chardonnay. Even furry members of the family are welcome at this dog friendly venue. Alternatively, enjoy ocean views alongside a buffet fit for a queen at Pullman Bunker Bay’s Christmas Day. With 2.5 hour slots available to book from 12.30pm through until 8pm, you could even make it back for a second sitting for the evening meal!

15 Days of Summer @ Aravina Estate | 27 December – 10 January

Yallingup

Celebrate 15 days of summer at Aravina over the festive season. There’ll be live music everyday with a rotating list of local artists, plus freshly shucked oysters and the launch of Aravina’s new taphouse serving up local brews and cider. Kick back with a spritz in hand from the aperol bar whilst feasting on gourmet pizza. Added bonus: they’ve recently upgraded the playground so it’s kid-friendly too.

New Year’s Eve | 31 December

Margaret River

If there was ever a year to party on out, it’s got to be 2020. Goodness, it’s been a clanger of a year, hasn’t it? Take your pick from two of Margs best live music venues. Settlers tavern kicks off with a Passport to Party, where you’ll arrive with a ticket to party and travel the world with the help of the ‘Mile High Club’ and DJ Erik. Not keen to travel yet? The River will be going off with the best tunes from the 80s fighting it out against the hottest hits from the 90s. It’s bound to be a dance floor that keeps grooving well into the night at this Boom Box 80’s vs 90’s NYE. Party.

Festival of Busselton | 31 December – 31 January

Busselton

This month-long festival has a huge number of events to take your pick from this year including live music, the biggest family picnic in the South West and the Festival History Exhibition. Whether you like to get busy with outdoor activities, art galleries, or love food and wine – there is something here for everyone!

For the Diary

Here Comes the Sun Music Festival | 2 January

Dunsborough

Get set for an epic afternoon in Dunsborough at Here Comes The Sun Music Festival. The stellar line up includes Birds of Tokyo, Crooked Colours, Drapht, Great Gable, Carla Geneve, Your Girl Pho, Get Down Club. Summer never looked so good down south.