Embrace a slightly different Christmas spirit in 2020 with these nine unusual things to do across Australia this holiday season.
We’ll be the first to admit that whichever way you look at it, Christmas is going to be a little different this year. So we think it’s the perfect opportunity to try out a new tradition or unusual alternative to your holiday plans.
From Santa visits to market stalls and unique Christmas light displays, here are our top nine unusual Christmas 2020 events across Australia to keep you entertained this festive season.
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Darling Harbour
You’ll find something for everyone at Darling Harbour’s range of Christmas attractions this year. Get your Instagram snaps sorted at the giant light-up bauble, pick up hand-crafted gifts from the Crackin’ Christmas markets, and find your zen with their 12 days of Christmas yoga. On top of that, Sydneysiders will find creative craft workshops, a floating cinema and live performers on each of the Saturdays before Christmas. But our particular favourite is brunch in the skies – where you’ll be able to tuck into something delicious, courtesy of Tourtiere Café, aboard the iconic Star of the Show Ferris Wheel.
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DIY Doughnut Decorating
Whether you’re looking to entertain the kids or for an alternative date idea, what could be sweeter than a doughnut decorating workshop? Well, that’s exactly what Krispy Kreme are offering this festive season across New South Wales and Queensland. Each 30 minute class will have you decorating two original glazed doughnuts with a festive twist. If you’d rather skip the decorating and go straight into tasting, you can also purchase some of their seasonal specials to take home.
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25 Days of Spritzmas
If you’re looking for something a little stronger than a doughnut, then let us introduce you to Fratelli Fresh’s 25 days of Spritzmas. That’s right – they’re serving up 25 different flavours of delicious spritzes – a new one each day – in the lead up to Christmas. Try out each of the unique flavoured spritzes for $12 (or $10 on Spritz Sundays!). Surprise your tastebuds with delicate notes of apricot and thyme, chilli and orange or sour cherry and raspberry chambord. It’s the best grown up alternative to an advent calendar we can think of!
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Santa Fun Fair
Despite all that 2020 has thrown at them, cancelling Santa celebrations was never an option for the Christmas loving husband and wife team at Sydney Santa Spectacular. This Rousehill seasonal staple boasts a whole day’s worth of activities and rides from bungy trampolines, the storm, pirate ship, mini chairs, tea cup and even a toboggan super slide. That’s not to mention their crown jewel: their double decker carousel – only one of its kind in Australia, and is made up of more than 10,000 moving parts that have been painstakingly hand-restored. For little angels and big kids alike, this is the perfect idea for putting the fun and cheer back into Christmas 2020.
Image by Thaninee Chuensomchit via Shutterstock.
Christmas Wonderland Putt Putt
For those in Brisbane looking for something exciting to do over the festive season, look no further than Victoria Park Golf Course who have re-imagined their putt putt course as a magical Christmas wonderland. Think huge sculptures of your favourite Christmas characters complete with twists and turns at every hole you play. It’s the perfect boredom-buster if those Christmas holidays are starting to drag – whether you’re taking the kids or looking for an alternative date idea. And, better yet, they’re fully licensed too – we’ll cheers to that!
Image by Faithie via Shutterstock.
Christmas Lights Trail
Are you one of those families who love jumping in the car around the festive season and driving around to look at Christmas lights? Well, look no further than the Christmas Lights Trail in the heart of Perth. Back for its fourth year, this festive season the set-up includes 30 different stops across five different trails in the CBD, West Perth, Northbridge and beyond. Make your way around the trails at your own pace and be sure to stop in for a drink or a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants you will come across in your travels. You can even check out the live performers running around on Friday and Saturday nights.
Image by Matt A Claibourne via Shutterstock.
Mandurah Christmas Lights Cruise
You will never have seen Christmas lights as magical as those which can be found alongside the canals in Mandurah each year – and what could be more magical than light-spotting aboard a boat! As soon as the sun sets, homeowners flick on their displays to entertain those cruising down the canals with millions of illuminated lights, music and Christmas carollers singing joyfully from the balconies. The Mandurah Christmas Lights Cruise truly is a special event and something that should be experienced with the whole family on board, so be sure to book so you don’t miss out!
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Christmas Lights Spectacular
Gather your friends and plan a road trip to the Southern hemisphere’s largest lights display, Christmas Lights Spectacular – which has been granted a government exemption to accommodate its full capacity of 5000 guests! Based in the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens, this spectacular display features a range of new and returning light sculpture favourites, including the iconic heart tunnel and an eight-metre-tall tree. If your Instagram feed needs a little sprucing up after a year at home – then this is the place to start!
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Moonlight Cinema
You might have already voted for Love Actually as your favourite christmas movie of all time, but there’s a whole host of Christmas classics to get stuck into over the holiday season, from Home Alone to Die Hard and even Elf. There’s nothing like that combination of cheer and nostalgia to give us that warm fuzzy feeling. While we love settling in the comfort of our couches to watch these classics, Moonlight Cinemas across Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane (with Melbourne opening in the new year), are here to elevate our cinematic experience to an evening to remember – all you need to do is choose your snacks!
Looking for more Christmas ideas? Try out all our Christmas gift guides including for the reader, the foodie and feel-good presents. Alternatively, if you’re looking to make your festive season a little greener, check out our top tips for a sustainable Christmas.
This article was first published on December 11 2019. It was updated and edited by Hunter and Bligh on December 17 2020.