As Mackay and the Whitsundays cruise into the Christmas period, there is a lot happening in our beautiful region. Here are some of the best things you can do with the family leading into this special time.
Caneland Central
It’s all happening at Caneland Central in the lead up to Christmas. Find out more on their socials or head to their website.
Black Friday Sales
Save the date, Black Friday Sales are back again! Shop at Caneland on Black Friday 25 November to receive a gift with your purchase. Spend $150 at any of the specialty retailers to claim your $25 voucher. Limited gifts available, so be quick! Visit the website for more details.
Santa Welcome Show
Santa arrives Saturday 5 November! Join us for a Christmas Concert & Parade at 10.00am sharp with special visitors from the North Pole, plus festive craft workshops from 11.00am – 2.00pm.
PakMag Christmas Party
On Sunday the 6 November 10.00am – 11.30am, join the team from PakMag to celebrate 10 years of PakMag in Mackay and of course celebrate Christmas in style. There will be prizes for best dressed Christmas themed, a photo booth, lots of Christmas games, singing and dancing, plus lots of visitors from the North Pole including Santa to celebrate Christmas. There will also be lots of prize giveaways thanks to Terrywhite Chemmart. Harvey Norman Bedding Mackay will be giving away $250 vouchers to some lucky families!
Gift wrapping
From 3 – 24 December you can get on Santa’s nice list with charity gift wrapping! Let the kind helpers wrap your Christmas gifts for you and make a difference by donating to a local charity.
Receive an Early Bird Special for Santa Photos! The first 200 families to visit Santa will receive a $10 food court voucher to treat the kids. Those who visit Santa in November also receive a FREE calendar print with their booking.
A Caneland Shopping Centre www.canelandcentral.com.au
Mount Pleasant Centre
Santa’s Breakfast
You’re invited to a very special breakfast with Santa this Christmas on 3 December at 8.30am. Kids will love being up close with Santa. Each child will receive a breakfast pack and get to meet some of Santa’s friends.
Santa Photos
On 3 December Santa arrives at Mount Pleasance Centre. Everyone can have the chance to take photos with him at the Santa Set which will be located outside the food court. The photo sessions will run until 24 December. Booking essential.
Charity Gift Wrapping
From 8 – 24 December you can get on Santa’s nice list with charity gift wrapping! Let the kind helpers wrap your Christmas gifts for you and make a difference by donating to the Mackay Hospital Foundation.
Artspace Mackay
BMA Kidspace offers online and in-person activities for kids with their program specifically designed for 0 – 5 year olds. Activities include painting, glow-in-the-dark art, projects with recycled materials, sing alongs, and more. A Artspace Mackay %f Artspace Mackay
Sarina Sugar Shed
Sarina Sugar Shed offers an award-winning insight into sugar production. From paddock to plate; the tour will teach you and your little ones just what happens when cane is planted, how it is used, and what it makes. You’ll get the opportunity to observe, touch, feel, and taste the different stages of sugar production, their non-alcoholic ginger beer brewed onsite, the freshly spun fairy floss, and freshly squeezed cane juice. There’s plenty of goodies for the adults to try too. Cost: $13.30 for kids, $26.50 for adults, kids under 5 are free. Bookings essential.
A Field of Dreams Parkland, Railway Square P 07 4943 2801
Mackay Library Events
The Mackay Council Libraries, along with their usual offerings, run holiday programs that include music programs, movie screenings, storytime, craft activities, science programs, and writing workshops. Bookings are essential for all events.
Some of the free highlights include:
- A Boy Called Christmas movie screening which will be at the Gordon White Library on 16 December 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Suitable for children 5-12 years
- Bedtime Stories 15 December at the Gordon White and Dudley Denny City Library.
- Christmas activities for kids run 12 – 16 December across all libraries.
- Lego Magformers and Bamboo runs from 13 December until 19 January at various library locations. There will also be the Hogwarts Mega Lego project.
- Anime Manga Club allows you to share your favourite story ideas, drawings, and all things Japanese. Suitable for children 12 – 18 years.
- Destress If the end of year exams are getting your teens head in, they can learn breathing and relaxation techniques on 8 November from 3.30pm – 4.30pm at the Dudley Denny City Library.
- Story time with Sam Derchie uses story, music, drumming and song to hold the audience from beginning to end, leaving children with a lasting memory of the African culture. Suitable for children aged 5 – 12. Runs on 11 November 3.45pm – 4.45pm at Gordon White Library and 12 November 10.00am – 11.00am at Dudley Denny City Library.
- Fishing For Fun Join a lifelong angler from Tackleworld Mackay to learn the basics of fishing. Runs on 15 November 15 from 3.30pm – 4.30pm.
- Christmas Cookie Boutique Decorate scrummy biscuits with ‘snow’ and ‘baubles” ready for Christmas. Great for gifts or to eat yourself! This event is held on 6 December 3.30pm – 4.30pm at Gordon White Library
- Ukendrum This program is a young adult music program for those who love the rhythms of music but don’t yet play an instrument. Instruments provided and learn a song within 3 minutes. The class runs on 10 November at Dudley Denny City Library form 3.40pm – 4.40pm.
For more information visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries
New Years Eve
Relax, unwind and bring in the new year at the annual New Year’s Eve River Party. This event brings families and friends together to celebrate the year that was, in true Mackay style! Featuring heaps of entertainment including live music, performances, food, drink and face painting, the New Year’s Eve Party is topped off with two magnificent fireworks displays! Start is at 6.00pm A Bluewater Quay
Baubles, Bubbles & Blooms
Looking for an exciting Mingle event? Held on Saturday November 26, this event will help you create your very own Christmas themed floral headpiece to wear to all your upcoming festive occasions! Enjoy live music, as you graze on scrumptious antipasto platters watching the sunset over the stunning pacific ocean – followed by a Creative Crowns Co. workshop to create your own Christmas themed floral headpiece – perfect to wear in the lead up to Christmas Day. Dress to impress, as there will be a professional photographer roaming to capture the glamorous moments, and of course the iconic beauty station set up for make-up touch ups. Tickets cost $160.00
A The Surf Club Mackay %f Mingle Events Co
Mackay Twilight Market
The next Mackay Twilight Market will be held on Saturday 26 November 4pm to 9pm at the Mackay Showgrounds Hall. 100 plus stall holders and exhibitors, lots of yummy food and drinks, prizes and activities for the kids. Cost is $2 per adult.
A Mackay Showgrounds %f Mackay Twilight Market
Mackay Show Christmas Market
Friday 9 December is the Christmas Mega Market at the Showgrounds. The Christmas markets in Mackay give you extensive choices for exchanging gifts during this festive season. Besides the great gifts there is also delish food, music and entertainment, kids rides and a special visit from Santa. $2 entry.
A Mackay Showgrounds
Carols In The City
Bring your picnic blanket and your singing voice to BB Print Stadium for Carols in the City. Carols in the City features many talented local musicians and singers who will ring out festive cheer with popular Carols and Christmas songs you know and love. There will also be a Kids Zone and plenty of food vendors from the Twilight Markets. Make sure to reserve your spot early, gates open at 5:30pm. Keep an eye on www.mackay.qld.gov.au for confirmation of date.
A BB Print Stadium
