TasWeekend: Your guide to the week’s best events

Here are our best picks from the state’s entertainment scene this week.

Get into the festive spriit at Santa’s Funland at the DEC. Picture: iStock

HERE are our best picks from the state’s entertainment scene this week.

TODAY

SANTA’S FUNLAND

Derwent Entertainment Centre, today and tomorrow, 9.30am-8.30pm

For two days the DEC will be transformed into Santa HQ and packed with Christmas fun. Walk through a magical winter wonderland and play in falling snow, take a selfie with Rudolph or Frosty the Snowman, make some Christmas crafts, sing and dance with the Christmas Fairy, meet Santa and enjoy the thrill of the bouncy castle and unlimited amusement rides. There will be six, three-hour sessions over two days and bookings are essential. $26 per person. santasfunland.com.au

HOBART CITY BAND’S CONCERT IN THE PARK

St David’s Park, 10am-1pm

Pack a picnic, sprawl on the grass and enjoy a free concert by Hobart City Band’s Brass Band and Youth Winds as they perform in the Rotunda. Hobart City Band is a not-for-profit organisation offering members of the community — from beginners through to professionally qualified musicians — the opportunity to perform together. Details at hobartcityband.org.au or facebook.com/events/386949455183336

The interactive Dinosaur Revolution exhibition at TMAG. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

DINOSAUR REVOLUTION: SECRETS OF SURVIVAL

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, 10am-4pm

Step back in time to a prehistoric world where dinosaurs reign. Spread across four galleries, this interactive exhibition explores the evolutionary links between dinosaurs and birds, complete with an assortment of intricate skeletons and four large-scale animatronic dinosaurs designed by Tasmanian company Gondwana Studios. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, but will be open seven days a week from Boxing Day (closed Christmas Day). Tickets are $15 adults, $10 concession, $7 children (aged 3-15), free for children under 3. $35 for a family (two adults and up to three children). Book at tmag.tas.gov.au/dinosaur or call 6146 3300. The exhibition runs until May 5.

Comanche took line honours in last year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

THURSDAY

SYDNEY TO HOBART YACHT RACE — HOBART RACE VILLAGE

Constitution Dock, noon-10pm

This 628 nautical mile yacht race is described as one of the most gruelling ocean races in the world and has been thrilling spectators since 1945. The annual race begins in Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day and finishes in Hobart. Keep a close eye on the progress of the yachts in the Mercury and online so you can join the thousands of spectators who flock to Hobart’s Waterfront to see them cross the finish line and berth at Kings Pier. The Hobart Race Village opens from noon on December 27, with food, drinks, children’s activities and live music continuing daily from 10am until the new year. rolexsydneyhobart.com

Sample the state’s best fare at the Taste of Tasmania. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

FRIDAY

THE TASTE OF TASMANIA

Princes Wharf 1, Dec 28 to Jan 3, 11am-11pm

Celebrate the Taste of Tasmania’s 30th birthday with a bumper line-up of fine food and live entertainment on Hobart’s waterfront. Originally held over just two days with 22 stalls, the Taste is now one of the largest festivals of its kind in Australia with more than 200,000 patrons expected to enjoy food and drinks from 112 stalls over seven days. Entry to the Taste is free (premium events including New Year’s Eve and the culinary program are ticketed).

Open daily from 11am–11pm (except New Year’s Eve when gates open 10am–3pm, then 6pm–1am) thetasteoftasmania.com.au