The Riverina is buzzing with things to see and do in the lead-up to Christmas. Photo: Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Facebook.
Christmas is finally here, but that doesn’t mean the Riverina comes to a standstill. There are many events for the whole family to get behind, with markets, exhibitions, kids’ science events, racing, carols in the park and much more.
Murrumbidgee Turf Club is the place to be on Christmas Eve for the Ted Ryder Cup, featuring live entertainment, plenty of races, and giveaways for lucky punters.
Albury LibraryMuseum is holding a special exhibition for kids to discover Australia’s role in space exploration, with hands-on activities and a range of informative installations sure to excite young minds.
Gundagai hosts one of its most treasured traditions with Carols in the Park, putting locals in the Christmas mood with music, food and community spirit.
All this and much more is in the weekly guide to the best to see and do in the Riverina.
Multiple Days
Get in the Christmas spirit with twinkling lights. Photo: Visit NSW.
Twinkle Town — Christmas installations
When: 19 December to 25 December
Where: Civic Centre Precinct, Wollundry Lagoon, Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Free.
Wagga is really getting in the Christmas spirit this week as the Civic Centre Precinct transforms into a bright, holiday-themed wonderland.
There are nine Christmas-themed displays, with stars, a gingerbread house, Santa’s sleigh and of course, a Christmas tree.
Masterpieces of glasswork as art come to the Wagga Art Gallery. Image: Wagga Wagga Art Gallery.
Glass Chrysalis II — Art exhibition at the Wagga Gallery
When: 19 December to 25 December, during normal gallery hours
Where: Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow Street, Wagga
Cost: Free.
Six recent graduates of art school and studio glass residency programs have been chosen to provide works to demonstrate their commitment to their art, showing the culmination of innovation, technical prowess and creativity.
Grass Chrysalis, a triennial exhibition of the promise of young artists, is co-curated by Wagga Art Gallery, Canberra Glassworks and The JamFactory to showcase glass as an art form.
This year’s finalists are Jordan Benson, Madeline Cardone, Calum Donaldson, Hamish Donaldson, Carman Skeehan and Isobel Waters.
Pick up your next read at the Albury Library. Photo: Albury City.
Summer Book Sale at the Albury Library
When: 20 December to 25 December, during normal library hours
Where: Library Museum, Corner of Kiewa and Swift Streets, Albury
Cost: Free entry | Book prices vary.
Head to the Albury Library over the Christmas season to pick up your next read. There will be a huge array of pre-loved books, ideal as a gift for a loved one or for oneself.
Get the inside scoop on Australia’s space history. Photo: Albury LibraryMuseum.
Australia in Space – Exhibition at the Albury LibraryMuseum
When: 20 December to 25 December, during normal gallery hours
Where: LibraryMuseum, Corner of Kiewa and Swift Streets, Albury
Cost: Free.
Discover space, and Australian contributions to its exploration, at the LibraryMuseum.
Explore the effects of life in space on the human body, as well as the surprising ways that life in space is so difficult. Visitors also get to take a photo as if they were on a space station above Australia.
Kids will also be able to take part in fun hands-on activities including mounting payloads onto model satellites and uncovering Australia’s untold role in small-satellite engineering.
Ideal for curious kids, this is a great event sparking scientific interest this week.
Sunday
Pick up some locally grown pantry fillers before Christmas. Photo: Visit NSW.
Griffith Rotary Market
When: 21 December, 7:30 am to 11:30 am
Where: Murrumbidgee Avenue, Griffith
Cost: Entry by gold coin donation.
The Griffith Rotary Market is on this Sunday, providing a great opportunity to get some last-minute Christmas shopping in.
Local growers and craftspeople will be selling seasonal fruits and veggies, bread, Italian biscuits, cakes, jams, olive oil, eggs, relish, honey, house plants and much more.
If your pantry needs a quick stock-up before the holiday period, this is your last chance!
Don’t miss one of Gundagai’s holiday traditions. Photo: Visit NSW.
Carols in the Park — Gundagai
When: 21 December, from 6 pm
Where: Carberry Park, 245 Sheridan Street, Gundagai
Cost: Free.
Carols in the Park is bringing the whole community together for an evening of holiday fun. Set in beautiful Carberry Park, this event will start with a barbecue, followed by a visit from Santa and a musical program including performances from local artists such as Riley Lott and Micha Glazebrook, who will sing a mix of modern and classic carols.
They will be joined by the Gundagai Community Choir, adding an uplifting community aspect to the night’s festivities. Families are welcome to bring picnic rugs and chairs. They’re also welcome to sing along.
Wednesday
Spend an exciting Christmas Eve at the races. Photo: Murrumbidgee Turf Club.
Ted Ryder Cup Day
When: 24 December, 12 pm to 6 pm
Where: Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Slocum Street, Wagga Wagga
Cost: General admission $10 per person.
The Ted Ryder Cup is making sure that Christmas Eve is a special day, with great racing, entertainment and giveaways on the day for lucky punters. Get dressed to the nines, cheer on your lucky pick and have one final blowout before Christmas Day.
