Sunday, November 20, 2011

CHRISTMAS AT PERTH AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

STILL WONDERING WHERE TO GO THIS CHRISTMAS?

WONDER NO MORE! JUST WANDER TO PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND ITS NEARBY TOWNS AND YOU ARE GUARANTEED A ROLLICKING COOL YULE!

AIR ASIA AND MALAYSIA AIRLINES AND EVEN QANTAS ARE WAITING WITH UNBEATABLE LOW FARES AND EVEN HOTELS ARE OFFERING SPECIAL RATES. SO CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA FOR DEALS YOU CAN'T BEAT!

Here is your Xmas 2011 To Do List in Western Australia! See you there!

Manjimup Cherry Festival - Window Display 2003 Festival -Comp (2).jpg
A typical Aussie Nativity scene which is reenacted all over Down Under!
Manjimup Cherry Festival - Window Display 2003 Festival -Comp (2).jpg
Mandurah Christmas Lights Cruise on the river---simply awesome!
Manjimup Cherry Festival - Window Display 2003 Festival -Comp (2).jpg
Manjimup Christmas Cherry Festival
Albany Xmas Pageant - courtesy of Albany Weekender.jpg
Albany Christmas pageant


WESTERN AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES 2011 CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES

Just a five-hour flight away, visitors to Western Australia are in for six weeks of festive treats to be launched on Friday, 11 November in the capital city of Perth. Outside of the capital, the regions come aglow with vibrant Christmas activities and entertainment from Canal Lights Cruises to Farmers Markets and the Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival.

PERTH
Turning on the Christmas Lights activity
The City of Perth Festival of Christmas kicks off the Yuletide season in the State with the ‘Turning on the Christmas Lights’ activity by The Lord Mayor and Santa Claus. Besides the City’s 100,000 Christmas lights and decorations, the highlight will be the 13-metre high Christmas Tree in Forrest Place illuminated with over 2,000 lights.

12 Days of Christmas Trail
Friday 2 to Saturday 24 December in the City
Pick up your trail brochure from the marquee in Murray Street Mall and wind your way through the City's colourfully decorated malls and laneways to discover Christmas performances, special displays and small gifts. This year, follow the trail to countdown the 12 Days of Christmas in shop windows and tucked away spaces across the city.

Friday Night Christmas Entertainment
Friday 2, 9 and 16 December 5.00pm to 8.00pm at Forrest Place
Get into the festive spirit with the carolling groups and bands on the new stage.
RAC Channel 7 Christmas Pageant with the City of Perth

Sunday 4 December from 9.30 am at Langley Park
Enjoy all the color and spectacle of the parade, plus a big family carnival. It will start with a Telethon Sizzle at 8am, parade around Langley Park from 9.30am, carnival rides and family entertainment from 10.30am to 2.00pm.

East Perth Twilight Christmas Picnic in the Park
Thursday 8 December, 6.30pm to 9.30pm at Victoria Gardens
The event includes live entertainment, a magician, Santa and his helper and the City of Perth Band. All monies raised are donated to charity.

City of Perth Christmas Funfair
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December, 11am to 4pm at, Forrest Place
The Funfair includes free kids rides, live music performances and even a visit from Santa and his helper!

Symphony in the City
Saturday 10 December, 6.30pm at The Esplanade Reserve
Join in with 10,000 people on the Esplanade Reserve for this world class performance that features the acclaimed WASO Chorus and the full WASO orchestra. Featuring the Swan
Bells and 7 Field Battery of The Australian Army Reserve Artillery, this event is a stunning highlight of the Perth festive calendar.
IGA Carols by Candlelight

Sunday 18 December, 6.30pm at Supreme Court Gardens
This annual Christmas variety concert will take place under the stars. Families can bring a rug and a picnic and sing along to their favourite Christmas carols.

Santa Trains
Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 December
Santa is swapping his sleigh for a train this Christmas. Ride along with Santa and his helper on various train lines including the Joondalup and Fremantle lines. .
For more Christmas information in Perth, visit http://www.showmeperth.com.au/event/christmas

BEYOND PERTH
Mandurah’s Christmas Canals Lights Cruise - 1 December to mid-January
Less than an hour south of Perth, the canal town of Mandurah with its swish mansions comes a glitter with sparkling festive lights. There is no better way to soak in the sights of this town than a canal cruise through its waterways to the sounds of carols.
Thousands of Christmas fairy lights illuminate and reflect onto the water. It is a magical atmosphere with brightly decorated million dollar mansions, waving Father Christmas, reindeers, Christmas trees and flashing lights.
Cruises are available nightly from 7.30 pm starting from A$30 and above for adults and half price for children below 12 years old.

Bunbury's Christmas Carnival - 4 December
Drive further south to the City of Bunbury and visit the Christmas Carnival with its market stalls and performances in the afternoon culminating with a Christmas Street Parade through the CBD in the evening. www.bunbury.wa.gov.au

Bunbury Carols by Candlelight’ Concert. - 18 December
Highlights of the concert include an entertaining children’s bracket with Father Christmas and a beautiful nativity scene draped with angels and drummer boys. www.visitbunbury.com.au

Margaret River Carols by Candlelight - 9 December
Three hours south of Perth is the picturesque Margaret River wine region renowned for its award winning labels, gourmet produce, amazing caves, lighthouses and beaches. Margaret River Carols by Candlelight will be held at Reuther Park from 7.00pm to 9.00pm to co-incide with late night shopping.

Albany Christmas in the Cove – 17 December
A five-hour drive from Perth, the historic whaling port of Albany will combine its annual Christmas pageant-concert and the Apex Club’s Carols by Candlelight at beautiful Middleton Beach. Visitors can join in the free community event with a family fun day that will begin in the early afternoon with a float parade and family concert before moving to Ellen Cove near the boardwalk at Middleton Beach for a twilight carolling concert. www.amazingalbany.com

Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival - 10 December
The festive season also heralds the cherry season in WA. The 10th Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival will showcase the region’s food and wine through the ‘Tastes of the
Southern Forests’. Visit the varied displays and stalls whilst enjoying fresh cherries from the region. Experience local produce prepared by some of the state’s top chefs – Don Hancey and Peter Manifis. Other attractions on the day include cherry pip spitting, street theatre, fashion parade, log chops, children’s rides and a family concert held in the unique setting of the Timber Park. www.cherryfestival.com.au
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