The Riverina region is buzzing with plenty of live music and entertainment this week. Photo: Albury Wodonga Symphony Orchestra Facebook.
There’s a whole lot in the Riverina to see and do this week, with plenty of live music, entertainment, markets, workshops and so much more.
Wagga Wagga Academy of Ballet performs its 29th annual production, presenting a special show focused on the limitless potential of the academy’s talented dancers.
The Museum of the Riverina hosts the Southern Sky Astrophotography competition, a celebration of the beauty of the night sky featuring stunning photos across a range of categories including nightscapes, solar system and deep sky.
Cootamundra’s main street becomes a Christmas celebration this week with its Sparkling Streets Christmas Party.
All this and so much more can be found in this week’s guide.
Multiple Days
A photography exhibition showing the night sky in a new light. Photo: Museum of the Riverina.
Southern Sky Astrophotography – Photography exhibition
When: 5 to 11 December, during normal gallery hours
Where: Museum of the Riverina, Historic Council Chambers, Wagga
Cost: Free.
This exhibition showcases the top entries in the 2024 David Malin Awards, displaying stunning examples of astrophotography.
The Southern Sky competition encourages new photographers to use their skill and imagination in framing and composition to create incredible photographs of the night sky. Categories include nightscapes, solar system, deep sky, smartphone and wide-field. Come see the night sky as you’ve never seen it before.
Wagga Wagga Academy of Ballet holds its annual production at the Civic Theatre. Image: Visit Wagga.
When I Grow Up – Wagga Wagga Academy of Ballet
When: 5 December, 6:30 pm and 6 December, 11 am and 6:30 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way, off Tarcutta St, Wagga
Cost: Tickets from $25 to $45 | Book online.
Join the Wagga Wagga Academy of Ballet for its 29th annual production. This year’s production is When I Grow Up, a celebration of the many career paths that the dancers of the academy will take.
Each dancer brings different occupations to life through dance and music, evoking the life and work of each, from artist to scientist. This wonderful performance will showcase the talent and hard work of each individual performer while also foretelling the potential of each student.
Saturday
The AWSO performs the music of Tchaikovsky, Grieg and Ravel. Photo: Visit Albury Wodonga.
Albury Wodonga Symphony Orchestra Presents: Enchanted Symphony
When: 6 December, 4 to 6:30 pm
Where: Galvin Hall, Wodonga Senior Secondary College; entry via Woodland Street, Wodonga
Cost: Tickets from $25 to $37 | Book online.
Enchanted Symphony is an evening of orchestral music celebrating the art of storytelling through sound, the festive spirit and the first year of the Albury Wodonga Symphony Orchestra.
This program unites fairy tales, folklore and beloved classical music, with Grieg, Ravel and Tchaikovsky featured on the program. The highlight of the evening’s musical program will be Nigel Westlake’s Orchestral Suite from Babe, a piece of music close to the hearts of many Australians.
After the performance, attendees are invited to celebrate the closing of the AWSO’s first year with a special concert celebration featuring wine from Moodemere Estate and light finger food from Pinchos Catering.
Carols by Candlelight brings Christmas cheer to town. Photo: Visit NSW.
Carols by Candlelight Wagga Wagga featuring the Australian Army Band
When: 6 December, 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Victory Memorial Gardens, Corner Baylis and Morrow streets, Wagga
Cost: Entry is $5 | Book online.
Get ready for a night of Christmas fun, with a line-up of classic carols set to get the whole town in the festive spirit. Some of Wagga’s best local talent will be performing, with Josh McKellar, Nathan Lamont, Cathy Wall, Meredith Adams, Harry Manglesdorf, and Michael Peacock set to take the stage alongside the Wagga Rockettes and the Australian Army Band.
Food Alley is sure to satisfy any cravings on the night with acai bowls, potato tornadoes, dippin dots, tea, soft serve ice cream, pies, doughnuts and much more.
There will also be a visit from Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, as well as face painting for the kids and photo opportunities.
Sunday
Head to the border for a special community market. Photo: Visit Albury Wodonga.
On the Border Community Market
When: 7 December, 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Junction Square, Corner of Elgin Blvd and High Street, Church Street, Wodonga
Cost: Free.
Head to the border for the On the Border Community Market, showcasing more than 70 stallholders with handmade and homegrown goods.
Held in the centre of Wodonga, there will be food vans, coffee, entertainment, live music and plenty of unique and exciting opportunities to pick up presents for Christmas.
Get the inside info on a new craft this week. Photo: Visit Wagga Wagga.
Candle Making Workshop
When: 7 December, 1 pm
Where: Little Black Duck Studio, 23 Guttler Street, Uranquinty
Cost: Tickets are $145 | Book online.
If you’ve been looking to pick up a new craft this season or you want to make a handmade gift for a loved one, this is the workshop for you.
This is a two-hour workshop giving you all the information and hands-on experience you need to create your own candles. Visitors will blend and pour their own wax, creating a unique scent.
Candle makers will create one 300 ml soy candle, two 170 g travel tin soy candles and two soy wax melts.
All materials, tools and aprons are provided and attendees will have light refreshments on the day.
Tuesday
A unique concert from three powerful vocalists. Photo: Visit Wagga Wagga.
Eve: Songs of Holiday, Heart and Home
When: 9 December, 11 am, morning tea from 10 am
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way, off Tarcutta St, Wagga
Cost: Tickets $30 | Book online.
Three dynamic female vocalists unite for this special concert, taking the audience through Christmas and holiday music, celebrating the season with the themes of love and humanity.
There will be soulful ballads and contemporary tunes creating a vibrant experience to bring in the Christmas season.
Vocalists Amy Kubank, Erin Brown and Melinda Bowker, alongside a cast of musicians and performers from across the Riverina, will combine their musical skills for an evening aimed at all ages and tastes. Don’t miss out this week.
Wednesday
A unique insight into an Australian artist at the Wagga Art Gallery. Image: Humanitix.
Janet Dawson: Master Printmaker | Special Lecture Event with Art Gallery of NSW Curator Monique Leslie Watkins
When: 10 December, 2 to 3 pm
Where: Entry 1 – Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Baylis Street
Cost: Free | Bookings essential.
Head to the Wagga Art Gallery for a special presentation from Art Gallery of NSW curator Monique Leslie Watkins on master Australian printmaker Janet Dawson.
Dawson is an Australian artist best known for her abstract paintings produced during the 60s, though she has never allowed herself to be boxed in by a single medium or style. Her skill in lithographic printmaking had a huge effect on the domestic printmaking world and this lecture delves into her influence in that field.
Janet Dawson and her work are the subject of an exhibition at the NSW Art Gallery, which will run until 18 January.
Thursday
Christmas lights up Cootamundra’s main street. Image: Visit Cootamundra Facebook.
Sparkling Streets Christmas Party Cootamundra
When: 11 December, 5 to 9 pm
Where: Parker Street, Cootamundra
Cost: Free.
The Sparkling Streets Christmas Party transforms Cootamundra’s main street into a centre of Christmas cheer. There will be live entertainment throughout the night, late-night shopping along the main street, plenty of community spirit, local market stalls, great food from local vendors and plenty of family fun.
And of course, twinkling lights will light up the main street to get everyone in the mood.
