WHAT’S ON: Every major Christmas event in Ipswich for 2021
With the kids on school holidays and Christmas mere days away, there is no better time to get involved with local festive activities. Check out our comprehensive list of Christmas-themed events.
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Christmas is now just two weeks away, meaning it is officially time to get into the festive spirit.
Thankfully, Ipswich has no shortage of events to help its residents make the most of the holiday season.
From Santa visits to a Christmas lights charity run, and a cocktail workshop to the markets, there truly is something for everyone.
See a full list of every major Christmas event planned for Ipswich here:
SANTA ON TOUR
With help from Mt Forbes Rural Fire Service, Santa Claus and his crew will travel through Ipswich on festive trucks this December, spreading Christmas cheer.
Santa is expected to stop at more than 30 local communities over six nights, covering almost 250 kilometres from Rosewood to South Ripley.
To see a full itinerary of Santa’s tour, click here.
WHEN: Friday December 10 to Sunday December 12 and Friday December 17 to Sunday December 19
WHERE: From Johnstone Park in Rosewood to Colleges Crossing in Karalee, down to Ironbark Park in South Ripley and Spring Lake Park in Springfield Central
COST: Free
VISIT SANTA AT RIVERLINK
Santa has decided to stop by Riverlink this year and will be available to take photos with shoppers, and their furry friends, nearly every day for two weeks.
Special sessions will be available to people who have sensory challenges and to those who wish to take photos with their pets.
For more information, click here. To book your photos, click here.
WHEN: Today until Friday December 24
WHERE: East Mall, outside Mr Toys, at Ipswich Riverlink Shopping Centre
COST: From $20.95
SANTA PHOTO EXPERIENCE
Ipswich residents and their pets can visit Santa Claus for a photograph at his magical cottage at Orion all December long.
For more details and to book online, click here.
WHEN: 9am to 5pm, today until December 24
WHERE: Orion Springfield Central
COST: From $23.95
SAINT NICHOLAS PRECINCT
The centre of Ipswich city has been transformed into the ‘St Nicholas Precinct’, with spectacular immersive light displays and installations running nightly.
Nearly 250 metres of lights have been used to create a magical walk-through experience at the precinct, where guests can also enjoy live entertainment, Christmas movies on the Tulmur Place big screen, and plenty of festive food.
To see the full program of Christmas events planned by Ipswich City Council for the Nicholas Street Precinct, click here.
WHEN: Nightly, from Friday December 10 to Sunday December 19
WHERE: Nicholas Street Precinct and Tulmur Place, Ipswich
COST: Free
FESTIVE RIPLEY MARKETS
Christmas celebrations at Stockland’s Providence have commenced with its wildly popular festive markets.
Community residents and visitors can enjoy live music and local food, stock up on handcrafted gifts, and meet Santa Claus himself.
WHEN: 3pm to 8pm, Saturday December 11
WHERE: Amity Way, South Ripley
COST: Free
CHRISTMAS EVE BOX WORKSHOPS
Five days of Christmas craft workshops are available to kids at an Ipswich shopping centre this festive season.
Children can take part in Christmas Eve gift box decorating, Christmas Eve pyjama decorating, mug decorating, and reindeer food workshops, though spaces are strictly limited.
To book, click here.
WHEN: 11am to 3pm, Sunday December 12 to Wednesday December 15, and Friday December 17
WHERE: Outside Priceline, Orion Springfield Central
COST: $5 per person
CHRISTMAS IN THE VALLEY
Market stalls, live music, food trucks, and singalong carols are just some of the activities Ipswich residents can enjoy at South Ripley this month.
Christmas in the Valley, hosted by Stockland’s Providence, will be a fun, family-friendly evening of all things festive.
WHEN: 3pm to 6.30pm markets and food, 6.30pm to 7.30pm carols, Sunday December 12
WHERE: Ripley Valley State Secondary College, Parkway Ave, South Ripley
COST: Free
CHRISTMAS AT HAIGSLEA EWE NIQUE HOBBY FARM
Ipswich animal lovers seeking a quirky Christmas morning need not look further than Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm.
Enjoy a sausage sizzle and an icy cone, or a cafe meal, while listening to Christmas carols, feeding farm animals, and tuning into a story time.
Bookings are required as numbers are limited. Click here for more information and to book.
WHEN: 9am to 12 noon, Tuesday December 14
WHERE: Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm
COST: $5 per adult (entry fee), $10 per child (includes entry, one bucket of animal feed, and a Christmas gift bag)
PROVIDENCE CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS
Kids of Stockland’s Providence, and the rest of Ipswich, can participate in gingerbread decorating and Christmas craft this week.
Bookings are essential. To register your interest, click here.
WHEN: 9am to 10am gingerbread decorating, 11am to 12pm craft for kids, Monday December 13 and Wednesday December 15
WHERE: Providence Community Hub, 6 Amity Way, South Ripley
COST: Free
IHF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS RUN
The Ipswich Hospital Foundation Lights Run has returned this year, with runners able to take part in either a five-kilometre or a 10-kilometre run around the city.
Organisers of the charity run will take participants by the city’s best Christmas light displays.
Click here to register.
WHEN: From 7pm, Thursday December 16
WHERE: Starting and finishing at the Ipswich Netball Association, Limestone Park
COST: $20 per person
A PAWSOME DAY OUT
Ipswich residents are invited to bring their furry friends to Stockland’s Providence for a Santa photo, a doggie yoga class, and a special art class.
Ripley Vet and Stockland have teamed up to provide Christmas pet stalls this holiday season, with a sausage sizzle run by a local charity sure to keep everyone well-fed.
Bookings are essential for the Santa photos and doggie yoga classes. To register, click here.
WHEN: 4pm to 6pm, Thursday December 16
WHERE: Splash ‘n’ Play Adventure Park, 6 Amity Way, South Ripley
COST: Free entry
MRS CLAUS’ STORY TIME
Ipswich kids are invited to pop on their favourite pyjamas and spend an evening listening to Mrs Claus read some Christmas classics this week.
Along with story time, children can enjoy a Subway cookie while their parents shop.
Spaces are limited. To book, click here.
WHEN: 5pm, 6pm, and 7pm, Thursday December 16
WHERE: Orion Springfield Central
COST: $5 per child
CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL WORKSHOP
Learn to make three special Christmas cocktails at an adult workshop this week.
Sessions will run for 45 minutes and spaces are strictly limited. To book, click here.
WHEN: 6pm and 7.30pm, Thursday December 16
WHERE: Orion Hotel
COST: $20 per person
THE NUTCRACKER
A very special Christmas tradition, the Nutcracker Ballet, will soon arrive at Ipswich.
Carols and ballet, with choreography and pre-professional dances from the Queensland National Ballet, will be performed under the stars in a magical showcase of the traditional Nutcracker Christmas Eve story.
Shows will run for about one hour.
WHEN: 6pm and 8pm, Wednesday December 22
WHERE: Main Street near Fountain Place, Orion Shopping Centre
COST: Free
ANNUAL TWILIGHT MARKETS AT ORION
Orion Springfield Central’s annual Twilight Markets will run all day, providing Ipswich locals with an opportunity to snap up last-minute Christmas gifts.
Enjoy food, music, and entertainment at the festive markets this December.
WHEN: 9am to midnight, Thursday December 23
WHERE: Main Street, Orion Springfield Central
COST: Free entry
RIVERLINK CHRISTMAS MARKET
Popular shopping centre Riverlink is hosting a special Christmas Market, just before the big day.
Handmade crafts, specialty stalls, live music and entertainment will all be on offer at the final Riverlink Market Zone of the year.
WHEN: Thursday December 23
WHERE: Downs Street & The Terrace, Ipswich
COST: Free entry
CHRISTMAS EVE RACE DAY
Ipswich Turf Club is hosting a special race day event this Christmas Eve, and members, owners, and other Ipswich residents are invited to join.
The club’s members lounge will open at 10.30am, while the public bars and barn restaurant will open at 11am.
WHEN: Gates open 10am to 5pm, Friday December 24
WHERE: Ipswich Turf Club, 219 Brisbane Rd, Bundamba
COST: TBA
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