Festival of Lights
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- December 7-28
The Highlands will sparkle with Christmas lights for the festive season. Shops will also be getting festive with their Christmas displays. There are also some events you can look forward to during the festivities:
- Twilight shopping around the region will begin this week.
- The festival will begin at the Corbett Plaza, and Highlanders can gather at the Corbett Gardens for some live music and speeches from 4.30pm. Once it gets darker, a Christmas tree will be illuminated in the garden and the 'mini Vivid', which is the 'Christmas Wonderland' will be lit up. You can also bring a picnic along.
- A Christmas tree will be lit up outside the council chambers in Moss Vale from 4.30pm on December 9.
- The Destination Southern Highlands Centre in Mittagong will have a lit up tree from December 10 at 4.30pm.
You can learn more about the festival here.
Christmas Styling Masterclass at Retford Park
- December 7, Retford Park, 10am-4pm
You can get creative and stylish this Christmas with a masterclass by and director, stylist and founder of Styling Magazine Australia Coty Farquhar. Coty will teach attendees how to decorate and style their tables and create decorations using natural materials and flowers from the historic garden that you can take home.
Guests will have a morning tea in the garden, lunch in the ornately decorated room and a glass of sparkling wine. This and the materials are all included in the ticket fee.
Attendees must show their tickets upon arrival which can be printed or on their devices.
You can book your spot here.
Golden Roosters: Tai Chi on the lawn
- December 7, Ngununggula, 9.30-10.30am
Highlanders can connect with their inner selves and calm surroundings every Tuesday with some Tai Chi. Tai Chi with instructor Stephen Atkinson will guide participants through different meditation exercises.
Bookings are $16.91 each and essential, and can be made here.
Wednesday Warriors: Yoga in the gallery
- December 8, Ngununggula, 9-10am
Recharge and re-energise with yoga at Ngununggula Gallery. Yoga teacher Christobel Hughes will guide you through mindfulness, breathing techniques and yoga moves.
Bookings are $20.08 each and essential, and can be made here.
Exhibition: Celebrating Christmas Clay
- December 9-19, Bowral Art Gallery, daily from 10am-4pm
You can admire and purchase a collection of unique ceramics made by Highlanders with this exhibition. They can also make wonderful Christmas gifts.
Robertson Street Party
- December 10, 74-76 Hoddle St, Robertson, 5pm-8pm
There is loads to get up to at this celebration. Stalls will be full of food, wine, art and even a pop-up makers market with creators from the SHAC. Entertainment includes live music, and a jumping castle.
Exhibition: The Gesture of Narrative
- December 10-February 6, Sturt
This exhibition is a celebration of strength, storytelling and imagination through a series of sculptures, drawings, textiles and prints. It will feature artworks from Andrew Antoniou, Veronica Cay, Victoria Pitel, Amanda Shelsher, Jane Theau, Vince Vozzo and Slavica Zikovic.
Santa's Grotto
- December 10-23, Bowral Guide Hall
Bowral will be transformed into a winter wonderland this Christmas. There will be Santa photos, live music, food stalls, a petting zoo and much more in the lead-up to December 25.
Kids can make cookies and paper snowmen but spots are being filled quickly so make sure to book here!
Highlanders can find out more on the Santa's Grotto Facebook page.
The Bowral Classic
- December 11-12, 6am-4pm
Come along and watch bicycles whiz around the Highlands with this year's Bowral Classic. There will be six rides over the weekend that go through Bowral, Bundanoon, Moss Vale, Robertson, Kangaloon and Mittagong.
Make sure to have a look out for residents from Harbison who will be taking part in the Social Classic on the Sunday.
Bowral Markets
- December 11, Bowral Bowling Club, 8am-1pm
Come along to one of the region's oldest markets for a wide range of stalls. Enjoy a mix of stalls offering freshly baked goods and produce, preserves, textiles, arts and crafts.
Santa's Village Picnic
- December 11, Burrawang Park Oval, 4-7pm
Highlanders can come along for a day of picnics, games and a jumping castle in Burrawang. Santa will come and spread some Christmas cheer at 5pm, and there will be a free sausage sizzle. It is a free event, but bookings are essential. Highlanders can reserve their spots here by December 4.
Berrima School Yard Christmas Market
- December 12, Berrima Public School, 9am-2pm
There is plenty to explore at these markets. You can discover a variety of gourmet foods, clothing, homewares and gifts for loved ones. Attendees can also enjoy a sausage sizzle and food from the school café.
Robertson Markets
- December 12, School of Arts, 8.30am-3.00pm
The second Sunday of the month means the Robertson Markets are back for you, and your loved ones to enjoy! Head to the main street of Robertson to enjoy a wide variety of stalls and bargains.
Second Sunday Session
- December 12, Robertson Bowling Club, 11am-3pm
Sit back, relax and listen to the Highlands Folk Music group have a "jam session" this Sunday. The group gather around a table and have a few yarns while they play a series of reels, jigs and ballads from Australia, England, Ireland and Scotland on the second Saturday of the month.
Moss Vale Showground Christmas Market
- December 12, Moss Vale Showground, 9am-3pm
You can discover a range of products such as artisan handmade crafts, woodwork and soaps at these markets in the lead-up to Christmas. You can also find antiques, fashion, fresh produce and warm food. There will also be rides, showbags and an ice-cream van.
You can keep up to date with any details on the market's Facebook page.
Local artist market
- December 12, Mental Bowral, 4.30pm
You can shop from local creators at this unique market in the lead-up to Christmas in the art space's outdoor laneway garden.
Writing workshop: Deep Encounters: Writing for Insight and Transformation
- December 12, Mental Bowral, 10am-3pm
Learn more about yourself and the benefits of writing at this workshop this weekend. Jessica Raschke will teach attendees how to journal, write poetry and letters to their past and future selves. Ms Raschke wants to give people the opportunity to engage more with themselves and give them opportunities to do so free of judgement.
You can register for the workshop here.
Aperol Spritz Sunset Sessions: Mo'Funk
- December 12, Berrima Vault House, from 3pm
Mo'Funk has took his DJ skills internationally to Ibiza, and is bringing them to Berrima this weekend. The Sydney resident is one of the most in demand DJs in the Southern Hemisphere, and you can book your spot here.
Christmas Concert with the Berrima Singers
- December 12, St Jude's Anglican Church, 7-8pm
Get into the Christmas spirit with the melodies of the Berrima Singers. The choir are eager to spread joy for Christmas, and have a collection of uplifting songs they will sing on the night.
Exhibition: High Jinks in the Hydrangeas
- Until December 17, Ngununggula
This exhibition by multimedia artist and photographer Tamara Dean will be finished soon. The installation contains photographs and sculptures that reflect on time in isolation over the last 18 months.
The gallery will be closed from December 18 to January 8. The next exhibition, The Dingo Project, will be unveiled when it opens again.
Christmas at Retford Park
- Until December 19, 1325 Old South Road, Bowral
Creative director, stylist and founder of Styling Magazine Australia Coty Farquhar has decorated the interiors of the Retford Park House for Christmas. Attendees can admire the decorations through guided tours on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and as part of the Alfresco afternoons in December.
Creative and Thriving art exhibition
- Until January 28, Council's Civic Centre, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm on weekdays
This inclusive art exhibition celebrates over 20 local artists and makers with a disability for the International Day of Disability. Artists who have chosen to have their works for sale will have all proceeds go directly back to them.
Art exhibition: At Home and Away
- Until January 29, CTC Robertson Thursday - Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-1pm
Trish and Catriona are local artists will be showcasing their unique artistic styles in this exhibition. The artworks explore a variety of subject matters.
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