It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and whether you enjoy singing along to your favourite Christmas carols, visiting Christmas-themed markets to find the perfect gift for that special someone, or you just want to see Santa, Ipswich is the place to be this month.
As well as the many Christmas festivities, visitors can also learn more about Ipswich’s resident ghosts, head to the drive-in to watch a movie on the big screen, tour the 15 exhibitions currently on display at the infamous Workshops Rail Museum, or meet all the cute and cuddly animals at the Ipswich Nature Centre.
Here’s our handy guide to what’s happening across Ipswich this December to help you plan your trip.
Enjoy the heavenly sounds of Christmas carols
Head down to St Paul’s Anglican Church on Saturday, December 4 for a special evening of traditional Christmas carols, as well as other family favourites, to help you get into the Spirit of Christmas. The concert will be held from 7-9pm. More information can be found here.
Christmas Markets for savvy buyers
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for that special someone, there are a number of Christmas markets being held across the region this month. Click here to see the full list.
Charity luncheon for a good cause
Club Services Ipswich will be hosting a Christmas Charity Luncheon on Wednesday, December 18, beginning at 11am. Tickets are $26.90 per person with all proceeds being donated to the Domestic Violence Action Centre DVAC. The day will include a two-course lunch, raffles and a visit from the Jolly Man.
Andre Rieu Christmas screening
Fans of Andre Rieu should head to Limelight Cinemas on Saturday, December 4, and Sunday, December 5, for a special screening featuring his biggest hits. The screening will be showing in both the lounge and regular cinemas.
Enjoy your favourite carols and Christmas songs
A number of community carols will be held across the city this month for families and friends to enjoy. These include:
- Redbank Plains Community Christmas Carols – Come join in the fun at The Redbank Plains Community Carols and share in the joy of singing traditional Christmas Carols, a special visit from Santa Claus and a firework spectacular finale. Beginning at 6pm on Tuesday December 21. The events will be held at the Redbank Plains Recreation Reserve, corner of Cedar Road and Moreton Avenue, Redbank Plains.
- Springfield Carols at Robelle Domain – The program features local performers, a visit from Santa, a mesmerising Nativity presentation and culminating with a fireworks finale. Pre-program starts at 5.15pm, followed by the carols at 6pm and fireworks at 8.30pm. Head down to The Circle – Robelle Domain, 155 Southern Cross Circuit, Springfield Central on Saturday, December 11.
- Mega Christmas Carols – Celebrate Christmas while enjoying a mega array of home-grown live performances, monstrous rides, markets, Kids activities, Sideshow alleys, delicious food and more at the Tivoli Drive-In on Saturday, December 11. Gates open at 11am. Family passes are available for purchase.
- Carols Under the Tree – A free local community event for Raceview, Flinders View and surrounding areas to enjoy Christmas Carols and other items from local groups and artists. Music by the Bundamba Salvation Army Band as the Cambrian Youth Choir leads the Carols. This event will be held on Sunday, December 5, from 7-8.30pm at 141 Wildey Street, Raceview.
- Christmas in the Valley – There’ll be food and fun for the whole family to enjoy at Ripley Valley State Secondary College Sports Oval on Sunday, December 12, beginning at 3pm with Christmas markets, jumping castles, a petting zoo, live music, food trucks and more! The carols will begin at 6.30pm.
Summer fun at Orion
There’s so much fun to be had at Orion this summer, including sensory Santa experiences, a party with Santa, dive-in movies, markets, workshops and more. For more information click here.
Take in the magic of Santa’s workshop at Riverlink
Santa will be making a special visit from his home in the North Pole to meet with the good boys and girls of Ipswich when he appears at Riverlink Shopping Centre. There will be a big parade for his arrival, the chance to have your photo taken with Santa, share your Christmas wish list, and more. Find out all the magical details here.
Celebrate Christmas early at these great community events
Everyone loves Christmas, so why not start celebrating early at a number of great community events being held across the city this month. Why not enjoy an outdoor movie at Faye Carr Park in Ripley on Friday, December 3, or take part in the Ipswich Hospital Foundation’s Christmas lights fun run on Thursday, December 16. You can find more Christmas events near you on the Ipswich Festival’s website.
Channel your inner 007 The Workshops Rail Museum
Learn more about spies at the Spy: Espionage in Australia, now on show at The Workshops Rail Museum. The exhibition features personal experiences from secret agents, spy equipment, candid interviews, an interactive family trail, codebreaking tests and more. On now until February 6, 2022.
Support our Aussie farmers at the Buy from the Bush markets
A number of stalls selling quality produce and one-of-a-kind items, including food, gifts, baking, relishes, clothes and more, will be held at Summer Land Camels on Saturday, December 4 from 8.30am-2pm.
Located just a short drive from Ipswich, the Summer Land Camels farm in Harrisville, is open every day from 9am-3pm. It’s free to enter and you can book a tour the farm, ride and feed the camels, taste test camel milk products and browse their shop which is stocked with beauty products and more.
You can pat and feed the camels for $2 per bag of feed or order breakfast and lunch from the Homestead Café which showcases the best of their camel diary products and Scenic Rim produce.
Kick back in the car and enjoy a movie
Movie lovers of all ages will enjoy a night at the Tivoli Drive-In, complete with Hollywood stars and tasty popcorn. Movie screenings this month include Ron’s Gone Wrong, Cool Runnings, The Incredibles and Eternals.
Beat the clock to open the lock
Grab your friends and head to Seraphim Escape Rooms, where you are locked inside a room and must solve a series of puzzles within a one-hour timeframe.
Gather your friends for a night of trivia
Searching for a Christmas party activity, a social get together or a chance to learn more about the jolly old man in red? Studio 188 will be hosting its All Things Festive trivia night on Friday, December 17 from 8-10pm. Tickets are $30 for a team of six.
Hear spine-chilling stories about Ipswich’s resident ghosts
Are you brave enough to walk through a cemetery at night? Join renowned historian and ghost hunter Jack Sim on one of his many haunted ghost tours across the city. Guests can choose to visit the Ipswich Cemetery, Goodna Cemetery or join a night time walking tour through the Ipswich CBD. To book, see Ghost Tours Australia.
Create something special to take home with you
When you attend one of the many workshops hosted by Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia, you will get to take something beautiful home with you. Choose from a variety of workshops including painting, making your own resin entertainment board, jewellery making and more.
Safe racing at Willowbank
Car enthusiasts who love to race can head down to Queensland Raceway in Willowbank for a night of Roll Racing on Saturday, December 18 from 4-10pm. Organisers have designed this event to give you as much track time as possible and they strictly limit numbers to make sure you get value for money as an entrant.
Monster trucks to roar into Tivoli
There will be lots of thrills and spills at the upcoming at the Mega Monster Christmas Show at the Tivoli Drive-In on Saturday, December 11. The night will also feature rides, sideshows, activities, fireworks and more.
Take a spin in a very fast race car
It doesn’t matter if you are a Ford or Holden fan, you can choose what car you take a spin in during Ipswich’s V8 Race Experience. The next racing event will be held on Saturday, December 18 between 7-11.30am.
Join a free Didgeridoo Jam session
Learn more about local Indigenous cultures by joining in a Didgeridoo Jam in Augustine Heights on Friday, December 3. Visitors can kick back and relax alongside a fire pit while listening to a mix of instruments combined with the didgeridoo.
Admire classic cars at Cardi Gras
If you’re a car aficionado, head down to Riverlink Shopping Centre on the first Saturday of every month from 4-8pm for Cardi Gras. Car owners will proudly be showing off their wheels, and there will also be fun games and competitions.
Fossick through the many markets across the city
Markets are a great way to pick up fresh local produce, as well as clothing, collectables, plants, jams, honey, bric-a-brac and more. Whatever you feel like filling up your goodie bag with, you are sure to find what you are looking for at these markets:
The Springfield Markets is held on the first Sunday of every month from 8am-1pm at Robelle Parklands in Springfield Central, and the third Sunday of the Month from 9am-4pm at Orion Springfield Central Shopping Centre.
The Ripley Markets are a great way to shop and explore. This dog-friendly market is held on the second Saturday of the month from 3-8pm at Providence, Ripley Valley.
The Ipswich Showplace Markets are held every Sunday from 6-11.30am at the Ipswich Showgrounds on Warwick Road. The markets have long been a popular destination for early risers on a weekend. Entry is a gold coin donation.
My Local Market is held on the first Sunday of the month on Parkland Drive, Walloon, from 8-11am.
The Riverlink Market Zone is held on the second Sunday of every month from 8am-1pm at Riverlink Shopping Centre, corner Downs St and The Terrace, Ipswich.
The Handmade Expo Markets are held on the second Saturday of the month at the Nicholas Street Precinct.
The Ipswich Twilight Markets will be held on Friday, November 5 from 3-8pm.
*Due to recent weather events it’s best to check with Facebook pages and websites for market events before attending to check events are still running.
