Nine things to do in the Riverina this week (8 - 14 December)

It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas across the Riverina. With carols in Griffith and at Wagga’s Civic Theatre and the famous Christmas on the Greens party at the Wagga RSL Club, families are spoilt for choice for celebrations this year.

The always popular River and Wren handmade market returns to the showgrounds on Sunday to the excitement of people across the region. The Wagga Wagga Orchid Society Gathering also returns on Thursday for its meeting.

The award-winning musical duo Saije makes its highly anticipated appearance at the Curious Rabbit on Tuesday, while the Yvonne O’Connor School of Dance will be performing its annual concert at the Civic Theatre.

All week

Forum 6 Cinema

When: Various times between 10 am and 8:30 pm
Where: 77 Trail Street, Wagga
Cost: Various. Tickets can be purchased here.

Three new movies headline another big week at Forum 6 Cinemas. Showing on Thursday, Silent Night is an action thriller starring Suicide Squad star Joel Kinnaman as a voiceless man looking to avenge the death of his son. Meanwhile, Studio Ghibli will release its first film in three years, The Boy and the Heron. Finally, for those looking for a lighter tone, Phillipa Soo, Simu Liu and Luke Bracey star in the new rom-com One True Loves.

Friday

Wagga RSL Christmas Party on the Greens

When: Friday 8 December, 5 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga RSL Club
Cost: Free entry.

Wagga RSL Club is gearing up for the most epic Christmas Party on the Greens, and you won’t want to miss it! They’re pulling out all the stops to make this year’s party bigger and better. For the kids, we’ve got amusements, live music, and dazzling performances that will keep them smiling. A mechanical reindeer, a giant slide, a maze of endless adventure, and even a ‘big baller wipeout challenge’! And the best part? All this is free!

Saturday

Yvonne O’Connor School of Dancing Annual Concert

When: Saturday 9 December 2023, 2 pm and 7:15 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
Cost: All tickets from $25 to $33.

Join the Yvonne O’Connor School dance students as they pay homage to some of the greatest musicians of the past and present. Through many genres of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, Irish and Scottish dancing, they will take you on a journey that will have you dancing in your seat as you are reminded of some of the most iconic songs of all time, and showcase some of the best songs on the radio today.

Ladysmith Tourist Railway

When: Saturday 9 December, 10 am
Where: Ladysmith Railway Station, 15 Kyeamba Street
Cost: All tickets $5.

Enjoy a slice of locomotive history at the Ladysmith Tourist Railway when it opens on Saturday 9 December. Special displays and exhibits have been set up in the precinct on loan from Transport NSW, including an Edmonston ticket punch machine, electric staff machines, document drawers and a safe. The Ladysmith Railway has become a fantastic local tourist attraction.

Sunday

River and Wren Market

When: Sunday 10 December, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Kyeamba Smith Hall, Wagga Wagga Showgrounds
Cost: Free Entry.

The River and Wren Market is a beautiful indoor country market held six times a year in the heart of Wagga. It offers a diverse range of the very best on-trend handmade, homemade and homegrown products the region has to offer. More than 100 market shops are hosted at each market and regularly attract about 4000 visitors.

Griffith Carols by Candlelight

When: 10 December, 6 pm
Where: Griffith Community Stage/Community Gardens, Griffith
Cost: Free entry.

The Griffith community will be packing into the Community Gardens this Sunday to enjoy the annual Carols by Candlelight. With special guest singers, activities for children beginning at 6 pm and all of your favourite Christmas-themed songs, Carols by Candlelight is many people’s favourite event of the year.

Tuesday

Saije Returns Live at The Curious Rabbit

When: Tuesday 12 December, 7 to 9 pm
Where: The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston Street
Cost: All tickets from $20 to $25.

Saije is an award-winning, indie folk duo whose soulful harmonies, dynamic guitar lines and percussive breakdowns breathe life into heartfelt stories. Their songwriting is crafted from the depths – stirring melodies bound together with graceful lyricism, and through multitasking techniques, the pair create a full-bodied sound enriched by flavours from their travels around the globe.

Wednesday

Spirit of Christmas

When: Wednesday 13 December 2023, 6 to 7 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
Cost: All tickets $25.

Promac Productions Australia Company, led by star tenor Roy Best and compere funnyman Chris McKenna will bring their highly acclaimed Christmas production to Wagga. This show will be packed with all your Christmas favourites with a wonderful mix of classic Christmas carols blended with some contemporary Christmas songs to get everyone in the true Christmas spirit.

Thursday

Wagga Wagga Orchid Society Gathering

When: Thursday 14 December 2023
Where: ARCC Hall, 131 Tarcutta Street
Cost: Free entry.

The Wagga Wagga Orchid Society meets each month at the ARCC Hall. There are orchid displays each month, together with raffles of plants, demonstrations and general information. Periodically throughout the year, the society has auctions of plants. The group warmly welcomes like-minded enthusiasts and visitors to Wagga who would like to gain knowledge on orchids.