What’s Happening in December?

With holidays right around the corner and friends, family, and visitors travelling to the area, you can feel a deep, calming exhale across the region as everyone slips into summer mode. Yes, the crowds have started to arrive but there is always a secluded beach or quiet forest track to find tranquillity.

December also brings with it the start of the Birak season, one of the six seasons of Wadandi Boodja. Birak is characterised by hot, dry winds in the morning turning into cooling coastal breezes in the afternoon. As the sun shines hotter and the days stretch longer, our natural surroundings are transitioning into this new time of year. The Wanajet (peppy flowers) are falling as the rain eases up. The Kaarak (red-tailed cockatoos) are snacking on marri maada (honky nuts) and dropping them from the treetops. In the calm bays, the water is growing warmer, inviting us back in after the stormy months of winter. Larger djiljit, fish, are daring to come in a bit closer to shore and groper, abalone, and crab are plentiful. It is a magical time in the region, perfect for those visiting for the first time as well as locals looking to reconnect with our beautiful country.

There is a lot to look forward to this month. With five separate Christmas-themed music events it is safe to say the Margaret River Region is fully in the festive spirit! However, if you are feeling a bit like a grinch, there are plenty of non-holiday-fuelled options as well!

What could be better than an evening spent watching the 1975 glam rock cult classic, Rocky Horror Picture Show? How about watching this wacky, wonderful film with a feral and fierce shadow cast enhancing and enlivening the production? Now if you have not seen the movie and don’t know what to expect, hold on tight because it is going to be one wild ride! Incredible Perth-based performers will be serving up a once-in-a-lifetime Immersive Spectacular while the iconic movie plays in the background. Get your costumes and prop bags at the ready! By the end of the night, I can guarantee that the entire theatre will be shouting, ‘LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!’

This much-loved Howard Park event is back again, and it is more effervescent than ever before. With six different Australian sparkling wines on offer, including the newly released Jeté Rosé, as well as a range of Champagne, there is something for every fizz fanatic to enjoy. Sip on some superb bubbles as you meander through flower booths, then sample local fare provided by Soul Cocina, Little Hands Dumplings and Mai Tardi Gelato. Set in the gorgeous surroundings of Howard Park’s cellar door, soak in the sunlight as it filters through the Karri trees and vibe out to the musical stylings of Dunsborough local, Katie J White. What a fabulous way to welcome in the start of summer!

Margaret River may be all about the Pro but travel up the coast and you will find the Yallingup Malibu-Longboard Classic. Started in 1985 by local longboard enthusiasts, this event is now in its 37th year, having firmly taken the top spot as WA’s premier longboarding contest. When it comes to longboarding, it is all about chilled-out vibes, laid-back wave riding, and seemingly effortless technique. Spanning two days, this event is hosted by The Indian Ocean Longboard Club and provides the community with a fun and friendly way to catch the state’s best long boarders compete in juniors, women’s, men’s and team divisions. And the best part? Spectating is free!

This absolute mammoth of physical human excursion is commonly recognised as one of the most challenging triathlons in the world, and it is coming back to the south west this December! A stalwart of the Asia Pacific triathlon scene, the IRONMAN course will incorporate the iconic Busselton Jetty. Then from there the bike and run courses comprise the flattest on the global IRONMAN circuit, making it the ultimate spot to score a personal best. This is a spectacular destination race or if you are not quite up to the challenge, come along to cheer on these incredibly fit humans!

It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas and to truly kick things off we have Margaret River’s annual Carols in the Park. Now in its 16th year of spreading Christmas cheer, this free Carols by Candlelight event offers a wholesome and family-friendly way to welcome in the festive season. On the vocals, we have the high school’s River Lights Choir, primary school carollers from Bella Melodia, and singers from the local homeschool community as well as the Margaret River Concert Band and the Margaret River Community Band and Choir. Margaret River Lions will be serving up some delicious food, and for dessert, there will be ice cream. Warm drinks and festive candles will also be available for sale. Get in and amongst the Christmas spirit!

The carols just keep coming! This time set against sunset over the gorgeous Busselton Jetty and Geographe Bay. The amphitheatre on the Foreshore Parade comes alive this December 11th with festive lights and all your favourite Christmas classics. Organised by local churches, it is sure to be an evening of carols and unforgettable festive fun.

Augusta is joining in on the Christmas cheer with their very own annual community carol event. Complete with tunes from the amazing jazz and blues performer, Jessie Gordon, as well as a few other local vocal legends. Grab a picnic and head on down to the Augusta foreshore for a 3.30 pm start. Need to do any last-minute Christmas shopping? Well, Augusta’s got you covered! The Made with Love Markets will be running from 1 pm to 4 pm. Plus you may even get the chance to meet the jolly red man himself.

Now you didn’t seriously think Dunsborough would miss out on all the festive fun this year, did you? Smack-dab in the middle of Dunsie at Lions Park on December 16th there will be another Christmas Carol extravaganza, including songs from talented local musicians, a Nativity play and a special visit by Father Christmas himself. Dunsborough Lions Club will be on the BBQ serving up some sausages or feel free to bring your very own picnic. Just remember to rock up early to secure your spot!

Just when you thought all the Christmas serenading was coming to an end, Happs Winery is here with an epic evening of music featuring some of Perth’s finest musicians. A piano quintet from the big smoke will be playing a selection of beautiful jazz classics with some Christmas songs mixed in. Peace Pizza Van will be on site with their decadent cheesy dough, but you are also welcome to BYO a picnic. Grab a blanket and some friends and head to Happs for an evening of holiday tunes set in their stunning amphitheatre.

Bid 2022 adieu and ring in the new year with Busselton’s annual New Year’s Eve concert. This marks the official start of the Busselton Festival, which is jam-packed with countless exciting events that span the entire month of January. The New Year’s Eve concert is a free, family event with live music and fabulous food from a range of local food vans. See out the year in style, surrounded by family, friends and your wonderful local community. And this is only the beginning of the fun!

This free event at Aravina Estate celebrates summer with live sunset music sessions, flowing craft beer & Aperol Spritzes and even helicopter joy rides! King of fresh oysters, Jerry Fraser, will be shucking by the dozen.  Coupled with outdoor tables & umbrellas on the lawn, free picnic rugs to use and a fully fenced playground all overlooking sweeping vineyard and views, there is something for the whole family.

Nothing says summer is here quite like the Festival of Busselton! Spanning from New Years’ Eve up to January 31st, there are so many different fabulous events, you may not even know where to start. First held in 1964, this festival is part of the lifeblood of the region, providing family-focused fun and entertainment to the south west for over half a century. The program is stacked with events and activities that elevate any trip to the region. Starting with the New Year’s Eve Concert and then on to the Busselton Foreshore for carnival rides, free outdoor cinema screenings, an epic water fight and a sand castle competition. There is something for everyone from the competitive to the totally chilled out. All the fan-favourite events are back again such as the Pirate Dress-up day, Dogs Day out, and the Duck Drop (raising funds for the Busselton Surf Lifesaving Club), as well as the Log Chop and the iconic Petticoat Lane Twilight Markets. This month of revelry will culminate in a spectacular concert and fireworks display. Head to the Festival of Busselton’s website for more details.

It is almost time for everyone’s favourite kooky, carni-filled, south west circus festival. Every year around the middle of January, an off-the-beaten-track country estate is transformed into a world-class circus site playing host to an incredible line-up of international acts. From circus performers, cabaret stars, comedy acts and magicians to live bands, DJs, market stalls and bars, this fest has got it all! If you would prefer to get in on the circus action yourself, sign up for some classes as part of the Lunar Circus Summer School! Daytime is all about family fun, but by night the grounds descend into nocturnal revels with risqué burlesque shows and dance parties. It’s an authentic, Margaret River Region carnival experience unlike any other in the world.