Are you coming to Tassie’s East Coast for the holidays? If you’re lucky enough to say yes, there are lots of great gatherings happening all along the coast – there’s bound to be one that’s close to you. So kick up your heels and join the locals to celebrate summer the east coast way.
Here’s a sampling of what’s on:
December 21
Triabunna Christmas Parade
- Starts at 5.30pm (assembles at Triabunna Marina at 5.00pm).
- Parade will walk from the Marina to Charles Street and along Vicary Street
- The Derwent Scottish Pipe Band will lead the parade and carols.
- There will be floats, the Balloon Lady and a free barbecue provided by the Spring Bay Lions Club
December 22
Swansea Christmas Parade
- 3pm – 6pm, starting outside Morris’s IGA the parade will continue along Franklin Street and Victoria Street before finishing on Swansea Recreation Ground.
- Activities include: Carol Singing / BBQ & Raffle / Coffee + Ice Cream / Santa / PCYC Trailer / CWA gift table / Badge Making / Coloured hair / Judging of floats / Winners of Yard / Decorating comp / Jumping Castle / Sea Boot Throwing / Fire Truck water games / Jeeps
A Baroque Noel
- Starting 3pm, 555 Freestone Point Road, Triabunna
- Van Diemen’s Band, Tasmania’s Baroque super-group brings Christmas to Spring Bay Mill.
- A program of seasonal tunes including the Christmas Concerto by Arcangelo Corelli, excerpts from Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s “Noels sur les Instruments”, works by Stradella, Torelli & Handel, and a selection of carols.
- Come for the Baroque. Stay for the mince pies.
- Book here
December 23
Fingal Christmas Parade
- Starting at 5pm from the Town Hall
- The parade will go up Talbot Street to the Recreation Ground
December 24
St Marys Christmas Eve Parade
- Starting at 5pm
- Spreading cheer throughout the main street
St Helens Christmas Eve Parade
- Starting at 5pm, the BBQ will be fired up ready to go. There’ll be a children’s raffle followed by a prize wheel at 6pm with crayfish and hams to be won.
- Parade starts at 7pm and straight after there’ll be a prize draw for around $1000 worth of prizes.
Swansea Fire Brigade Lolly Run
- Once again Santa has arranged a quick stop over with the Swansea brigade, and will be hitching a ride on the local fire truck.
- 7.30pm onwards along Franklin Street and Victoria Street
December 25
Gala Kirk Christmas Day Service
- Starting at 9.30am / All Welcome
- Come along & join us for a celebration of Christmas at Gala Kirk, Cranbrook
- Tasman Hwy, Cranbrook
December 27 – January 29
Parks & Wildlife Summer Discovery Ranger Program
- Offers visitors to Tasmania’s National Parks the chance to join in a wide range of free activities such as guided walks, evening talks, children’s’ activities and more.
- Discovery Rangers will also be out in local communities sharing the wonder of the surrounding reserves at community events throughout the summer holidays.
- Discovery Rangers will also be hosting a series of community Discovery Days in various locations around the State. These will involve a wide range of activities, from live snake and lizard shows, Aboriginal cultural stories and interactive workshops, Fishcare activities, BBQ lunches, theatre, rockpool rambles with marine specialists and much more!
- For the full schedule visit the website here
December 31
New Year’s Eve at Swansea Football Club
- From 5pm, Swansea Football Oval Franklin Street, Swansea
- Gold Coin Donation on arrival
- No B.Y.O Alcohol
- Bring a blanket & chair to relax on the oval
- Lyons Chocolate Wheel with great prizes, Jumping Castle & more!
- Live band ‘SHOTS’ 8pm – 12am
- Fish & Chips, BBQ, Melshell Oysters, Lickalicious Ice Cream, Coffee, local wine.
New Year’s Eve Party at Freycinet Golf Club
- Pete from Big Pete’s Eats is hosting a New Year’s Eve party with free entry
- Local DJ Tom Pierce 9pm-1.00am / Bar open from 12 noon / Spit Roast 5pm – 9pm / Families & children welcome.
- Freycinet Golf Club, 1 Swanwick Drive, Coles Bay
January 1
St Marys Races
- Annual St Marys Harness Races will be held on New Year’s Day
- A great way to welcome the year.
- Harefield Road, St Marys
January 5
Live music at Devils Corner
- 12pm – 3pm
- Flamenco, Latin and Cuban inspired music by Karavana Flamenca
- Free entry
- Sherbourne Road, Apslawn
January 6
Shape and Ride Bike Skills for Kids
- 9am – 11:30am / $30 per child
- Teaches children 12 fundamental skills for mountain biking and general bike skills
- Fun games, challenges and free stickers
- St Helens Foreshore next to the skate park
January 12 / 13
Lego Brixhibition
- Jan 12 10am – 5pm / Jan 13 9am – 2pm
- Tasmania’s premier Lego Exhibition
- Adults $3 / Children $2 / Family $10
- St Marys District School, 13 Gray Rd St Marys
- Visit Website
January 17
Where Song Began Musical Celebration
- A Musical Celebration of the evolution of Song: Australia’s Birds and how they shaped the world.
- Portland Hall, 39 Cecelia St, St Helens from 7pm.
- Tickets: Adults $25 / $20 / U18 $5
January 19
St Helens Athletics Carnival
- Gates open at 8.30am, St Helens Sports Complex Tully Street
- The last in the Tasmanian Summer Carnival Series.
- Over 50 athletes competing in running, jumping, track and cycling and woodchopping featuring national and international axemen.
- Tickets: Adult: $10 / Pensioner $8 / Children U15 Free / Programs $3.50
- For more information and a timetable visit the website
January 25
Australia Day Celebration, St Helens
- 5pm, Portland Hall and Memorial Park in St Helens
- Night market until 9pm featuring local artisans hand crafted items, clothing, pottery, homewares & more.
- Official ceremony starts 6pm featuring announcement of the Australian and Young Australian Citizens of the year.
- Live music from 6:45pm – 8:45pm
- Food & drink including wine, cider and roti wraps, sausages, hamburgers, infamous Wonks fish cakes and soft drinks by Marine Rescue.
January 26
Wheels Wine and Dine
- Annual event held on St Helens foreshore
- Car show, food vans, live music, rock-a-billy dancing, Xtreme rides, fireworks and more.
January 27
Live music at Devils Corner
- 12pm – 3pm / free entry
- Music by Ollie Falconner – from Byron Bay
- Sherbourne Road, Apslawn