By Jessica Anstice
Christmas in Cardinia may not be a winter wonderland but the shire certainly has the community covered with barbecues, carols, festive lights and lunches.
If you know of a Christmas event coming up in your area, let us know.
Nar Nar Goon:
A Christmas party will be held at Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve from 5pm on Saturday November 30.
Bunyip:
Bunyip and District Community Carols will take place at the Bunyip Recreation Reserve from 7.45pm on Friday 6 December. Rock up early and enjoy the Bunyip Community Christmas Market. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn or purchase food from the football club canteen. Candles will be available on the night for $2.50. Don’t forget a chair to sit on.
Garfield:
Come along to Garfield’s annual street Christmas festival on Friday 13 December from 4pm in Main Street, Garfield. The family-friendly event will provide plenty of fun for children, live music including a local choir, food stalls, late night trading, street markets, and an appearance from Santa. There will be a fireworks display later in the evening on the oval.
Pakenham:
Residents are invited to pack a picnic, meet up with friends and family and sing-a-long to carols by candlelight in Pakenham. With the support of local community groups and businesses, Cardinia Shire Council will present the 2019 Pakenham Carols by Candlelight on Saturday 14 December. The carols, to be held at Toomuc Recreation Reserve, will see pre-carols entertainment from local artists and primary schools from 6pm with the official program beginning at 8.30pm.
Pakenham Upper:
Pakenham Upper Community Church is inviting everyone to its annual Christmas Eve Carols at the Church Hall. This is a community sing-along! Everyone is welcome to join in singing all the well-known and familiar carols – and a few of the secular Christmas songs as well. The evening will conclude, as always, with a visit from Father Christmas. Church Hall: Corner of Bourkes Creek Road and Old Gembrook Road, commencing at 7.30pm.
Lakeside Pakenham:
Lakeside Residents Group have organised a Christmas party for Sunday 8 December from 10am to 12.30pm. Santa will arrive on a fire truck at 11am. There will be many activities for the kids, including face painting, funky hair, gingerbread men decorating. There will also be a sausage sizzle, photo booth, cupcakes, Animals of Oz, Christmas craft and ponies.
Cardinia Lakes Pakenham:
Santa, free popcorn and fairyfloss, a jumping castle, craft corner, face painting, balloon artist, sausage sizzle stand, CFA fire truck demonstrations, NHW and much more. Saturday 7 December from 2pm to 4pm at the park on the corner of Bonneville Parade and Windermere Boulevard.
Officer:
Carols on the Green will be held from 5pm on Sunday 8 December at 104 Tivendale Road in Officer. The carols will start at 5pm, so bring a picnic rug, chair and the family and join in the Christmas spirit. After the singing, there will be a free barbecue.
Lang Lang Santa:
Lang Lang CFA have arranged for Santa to visit the children of Lang Lang on the fire truck. If you would like Santa to visit your house, drop a small gift off with your children’s name, address and contact number at the fire station on either Saturday 8 December or Sunday 15 December. Santa will visit on Sunday 22 December.
Lang Lang:
With years of experience at local Carols by Candlelight, the community will be able to see the Cardinia Civic Concert Band perform at Lang Lang Carols on Wednesday 11 December.
Maryknoll:
Maryknoll Carols will be held on Friday 20 December and will showcase the Cardinia Civic Concert Band.
Gembrook:
Gembrook Community Christmas Carols will be held from 6.30pm on Sunday 8 December at Gembrook Primary School. From a free jumping castle and face painting, to popcorn and snow-cones, this is not one to be missed!
Emerald:
Festive fun for everyone, starting with a community picnic from 6pm to 8pm and carols from 8pm to 9pm. Carols will be led by the Cardinia Civic Concert Band and local artists.
Join the party as ‘the hills’ are decked with joy and laughter beside the beautiful Emerald Lake. Emerald Lake Cafe will be open and food stalls will be on site – free parking and LED candles available. Santa will be attending. This is an alcohol-free event.
Beaconsfield:
Sunday 22 December at Holm Park Reserve, Beaconsfield-Emerald Road, Beaconsfield.
Upper Beaconsfield:
Santa will be visiting Grant court at 7pm followed by, Burton Road at 7.15pm, Paul Grove at 7.30pm and then will make his grand arrival at the carols at 7.45pm at Keith Ewenson Park (located on Sailsbury Road). Carols begin at 7pm and the evening will run until 9.30pm. Bring your picnic rug. The Men’s shed will be holding a sausage sizzle too.
Berwick:
Berwick Carols by Candlelight will be held on Saturday 21 December. Save the date now, Santa already has confirmed. Hosted by the volunteers of the Rotary Club of Berwick. From 6pm to 9pm at Edwin Flack Reserve, Manuka Road, Berwick.
