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