Weekend planner 10 things to do
WITH plenty of events happening across the Darling Downs, here’s your guide to make the most of the weekend.
1. Christmas Wonderland
A family friendly event held in the Botanic Gardens in Queens Park, the official opening of Toowoomba’s annual charity Christmas lights display will take place on Saturday from 7pm.
Enjoy the traditional Christmas lights display as well as entertainment from live performers, a barbecue, and raffles.
Entry is by a gold-coin donation, with Christmas Wonderland open every night from 7pm to 10pm from December 3 until Christmas Eve.
2. Art exhibition
The final exhibition of the year from the Toowoomba Art Society begins this weekend.
Featuring an eclectic mix of subjects from Garden City landmarks to still life artworks, the exhibition Musing by artist Kate Civil will run from this weekend until December 18 at Culliford Gallery, I Godsall Street between 9am and noon Tuesday to Friday, and from 10am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.
3. Christmas lights at RE/ MAX Success
The Toowoomba office of RE/ MAX Success is getting into the Christmas spirit with a free Christmas light display throughout December, which promises to be a magical display of lights and Christmas decorations.
Santa Claus will be making appearances on Saturday, December 10 and 17 from 6pm 9pm and will be handing out Christmas packs to the children. There will be photo opportunities with Santa and his sleigh and an ice cream van too.
Bring along your family and friends to join in the holiday spirit and see this display.
The free event will be held at 111 Herries Street, East Toowoomba.
4. Handmade Christmas Twilight Market
The second Twilight Market for the year is all about the festive spirit, featuring a wide range of handmade products just in time for Christmas.
The markets will be at the Railway Goods Shed on Victoria Street from 4pm to 8pm on Saturday.
5. Christmas at Clifford Park
With something for every child and the inner-child in us all, come on down to Clifford Park this Saturday from 3pm to experience the magic of Christmas. With a live performance from superstars Bluey and Bingo, snow, facepainting and live music, there’s something for everyone, not to mention live and local racing action on the track. For more details and tickets visit www.cliffordpark.com.au.
6. Santa Paw-traits
Fur-families across Toowoomba can rejoice as Optus is bringing back their popular Family and Pet “Pawtraits” for this December. Bring along your pet to pose for a free family portrait with a professional photographer, at Optus’ Santa Paws activation in Harvey Norman stores.
The free pawtraits will be emailed to customers immediately
in store, making it perfect for the centrepiece for the mantelpiece at home or a family Christmas card.
Visit Toowoomba Harvey Norman at 924-932 Ruthven St, South Toowoomba on Saturday from 9am to 4pm to get your free family portrait.
7. Christmas in the bush
The public is invited to the inaugural Christmas in the Bush at Bracknell Lodge, Wyreema.
Activities include bull riding, bush dance with the Smashing Bumpkins, country, folk and rock bands, camp oven cooking competition, ute muster, cowpoo lottery and much more.
The event runs all weekend with camping available on Saturday night.
Check in between 7-10am on Saturday.
All proceeds raised from this event supports BASE Services.
8. Hit the markets.
Get a jump on the Christmas gift shopping with Cobb and Co Farmers Market running from 7am on Saturday and the PCYC markets
from 7am on Sunday.
There’s a wide range of food, produce, plants and artisan wares.
9. Take the family to movies There are a range of great movies playing at the Grand Central and Strand cinemas this weekend including Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Black Adam, Pinocchio and Smile.
10. Madeline set to music The Empire Theatre will host a performance of Madeline on Saturday evening, promising a great show for the young and young of heart.
Adapted from Ludwig Bemelmans’ well-known stories, Madeline sets out on yet another adventure with her school friends and best friend, Pepito.
After witnessing the theft of the famous Mona Lisa, Madeline and Pepito go on a wild-goose chase through the heart of Paris in the hope of recovering the precious artwork.
Doors open at 6pm.
For tickets, see the Empire Theatre website.