What’s on: A cheerful summer and Christmas Down South

Summer, the season of joy, has finally arrived! Let’s take a peek what’s in store.

Christmas Events

December is arguably the best month of the year, filled with not-too-hot sunny days, festive high spirits, scrumptious food and wine, and an unmistakable tingle of anticipation in the air. Christmas events are peppered throughout the entire month, so there’s lots of choice.

The Christmas Lights Trail

Nowhere does Christmas lights magic quite like Mandurah and, starting December 1, the night will shine in the most dazzling and creative of ways. Either stroll the famed 30 to 40min trail along the foreshore to Mandjar Square and the marina, or see it from a different angle aboard a Christmas cruise on the canals.

Mandurah Christmas Lights

Christmas Markets

Busselton Christmas Bazaar will have dozens of unique stalls plus face painting, live music, and magic tricks on December 4. If you fancy a market dedicated to food, the Twilight Christmas Margaret River Farmers’ Market on December 23 is the perfect place to stock up on beautiful fresh produce for Christmas lunch and special treats for your holiday home pantry.

Carols by Candlelight

Don your most Christmassy gear and break out your fa la las for a night of carolling (or you can just sit back and take in the festive atmosphere with a mug of hot chocolate, of course). Margaret River Carols in the Park is on December 10, Carols by the Jetty in Busselton on December 11, and Dunsborough Christmas Carols on December 17.

Happs Christmas Concerts

Happs Winery will be hosting three unique concerts on December 18 and 19. The sunset Classic Christmas Concert features 90 minutes of classical tunes in the amphitheatre for you to enjoy from your picnic blanket. The next day there’s a 60 minute Family Christmas Concert where under-12s have the opportunity to build an instrument table, and also a Baby Sensory Christmas Show where infants will be enchanted by sights, sounds, and textures.

Summer Wines at Happs

Summer Events

Christmas isn’t the only thing happening in the South West (as much as we love it) with events and festivals taking full advantage of the deep blue skies, endless sun, and sparkling coastline that WA is famous for.

For the Love of Fun

Rolling right through Christmas and into January, the Festival of Busselton is all about togetherness and entertainment. From December 20 to January 26, this is family-friendly holiday mecca Busselton at its finest: fireworks, live music, water fights, outdoor movies, and mountains of good food.

The Red Bull Foam Wreckers on December 18 is a fun “anti-surf contest surf contest” open to young and old, with the only requirement being that you have to ride a soft-top surfboard.

And, for something completely different, there’s the two-day Karnidale Circus Festival on January 14 and 15 for all ages. Expect magic shows, circus workshops, market stalls, bars, and live music.

Wining and Dining: On Water

It wouldn’t be the South West without some incredible food and wine events! For music lovers looking for an unforgettable experience, you’ll adore Jazz Under the Jetty with nibbles, flowing wine and jazz in the most unique setting – under the sea.

For those who prefer above the surface, Willie Cruises offer a three-hour morning cruise of Busselton’s waters with morning tea, and a four-hour afternoon cruise with canapes along the Dunsborough coastline.

Willie Cruises in Dunsborough

And we can’t pass up the opportunity to talk about the Taste of the Bays cruise, which promises to be a hot ticket when bookings open in January. Hop aboard a 60 foot pleasure boat as you indulge in a degustation feast (expertly crafted by private chefs on board, no less), sipping premium wines, and the wind in your air as you cruise along our spectacular South West coastline.

Wining and Dining: On Land

14 Days of Summer, Aravina Estate’s epic annual event is back from December 27. Park your picnic rug under the swaying trees, live music filling the air, as you tuck into pizza and a cheeky Aperol spritz. Even better, bookings are not required.

End the Year in Style at Yarri. This renowned Dunsborough Restaurant + Bar are throwing a New Years Eve Dinner Party with 5 courses paired with five wines and then the bar will be open through til midnight for their signature cocktails, wine and beer. Book direct.

The popular annual Oysters & Riesling at Howard Park is a must-do on January 8 and 9. With DJ tunes, freshly shucked oysters, tacos, delicious riesling and pure sunshine, this is happiness rolled into one perfect balmy weekend.

Competitive Events

Check out the best longboard surfers battling it out at the Yallingup Malibu Classic on December 4 and 5. You’ll also get the chance to witness ultra fit ironmen and ironwomen competing for glory at Ironman Busselton on December 5 and 6. Or see the biggest junior talents in surfing at Taj’s Small Fries on January 14 to 16.

Taj’s Small Fries

Movies at Cape Mentelle

The ultimate date night in the Margaret River region. A starlit night overhead, tall trees for comfort, a warm blanket, nibbles, and a great flick showing on the screen. There’s nothing like snuggling up for a movie on a summer’s night at Cape Mentelle – winery by day, outdoor cinema by night. Movies will be screening five nights a week until February 1.

Enjoy a magical summer and Christmas Down South. Browse our portfolio of luxury holiday homes and book your idyllic escape today.

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