Carols under the lights at Manly Oval. Free Santa photos by the beach in Dee Why. A panto about Santa’s long-lost sister. Council’s Christmas events are back, and December on the Beaches is filling up fast.
“There are plenty of ways to gather with family and friends and celebrate close to home,” says Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins.
Sing It Loud at Manly Oval
The much-loved Christmas Choral Concert returns to Manly Oval on Thursday 3 December. The Northern Beaches Orchestra, the Community Christmas Choir and a line-up of talented locals will lead the carols, so bring your voice.
Gates open at 5pm and the show starts at 6pm. Pack a picnic, grab something from the food trucks or pick up takeaway from one of Manly’s restaurants. Face painting is free.
Beach Party in Dee Why
Christmas by the Beach takes over James Meehan Reserve, Dee Why, on Friday 11 December. Busy Izzy and Friends are on kid duty, Jayden Rodrigues hosts a Christmas Dance Party and the night wraps up with a carols sing-along.
Gates open at 4pm and the show starts at 5pm. Santa photos and face painting are free, and the food options are the same as Manly: BYO picnic, food trucks or local takeaway.
Panto Time (Oh Yes It Is)
Join Rudolph on a musical adventure to find Santa’s long-lost sister in Carol Claus: The Untold Story of Santa’s Sister! on Friday 18 December. Expect catchy songs, colourful characters and plenty of Christmas cheer.
The 45-minute show suits kids aged 2 to 7 and runs three times:
- 9.45am to 10.30am at Mona Vale Memorial Hall
- 12.45pm to 1.30pm at Glen Street Theatre, Sorlie’s Space
- 2pm to 2.45pm at Glen Street Theatre, Sorlie’s Space
Tickets are $5 plus booking fee, and babies under two are free. Bookings are essential for children and adults, and adults need to stay for the show.
Give a Little This Christmas
The festive season is when a lot of locals need a hand. The annual Christmas Wishing Tree Appeal makes it easy to help. From Thursday 12 November, pick up a gift tag from the Christmas tree at your local library, buy a gift based on the suggestions and return it unwrapped by Thursday 10 December. LocalKind Northern Beaches will pass the gifts on to people in need across the Beaches.
Curtain Up at Glen Street
Glen Street Theatre has three Christmas shows this year.
Back to The Tivoli: Christmas Spectacular (Monday 7 December) brings back the glamour of the legendary Tivoli Theatre, with big vocals, comedy, specialty acts and dazzling choreography. 11am, 90 minutes, no interval. $36, or $26 for members.
Christmas in The Grandparents Club (Saturday 19 December) is the newest chapter in The Grandparents Club trilogy, a musical comedy about the chaos of a family Christmas. 3pm or 7pm, 90 minutes, no interval. $72.50 plus booking fee, or $67.50 for members.
Christmas Stories with R.A. Spratt (Monday 21 December) is action-packed, very funny festive storytelling with carols mixed in. 2pm, 60 minutes, no interval. $29 plus booking fee, $24 for members, or a $105 family pass (two adults and two children, or one adult and three children).
Dressed for the Season
The decorations are already going up in town centres, and the Manly Corso Christmas Tree goes in on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 November. Local businesses are also dressing their windows for council’s Christmas window campaign.
“Don’t forget to support our local economy by purchasing your festive season goodies and gifts from our local businesses,” Mayor Heins says.
Christmas at a Glance
- Thursday 12 November to Thursday 10 December: Christmas Wishing Tree Appeal, local libraries
- Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 November: Manly Corso Christmas Tree goes up
- Thursday 3 December: Christmas Choral Concert, Manly Oval, from 6pm
- Monday 7 December: Back to The Tivoli, Glen Street Theatre, 11am
- Friday 11 December: Christmas by the Beach, James Meehan Reserve, Dee Why, from 5pm
- Friday 18 December: Carol Claus panto, Mona Vale and Glen Street Theatre
- Saturday 19 December: Christmas in The Grandparents Club, Glen Street Theatre, 3pm or 7pm
- Monday 21 December: Christmas Stories with R.A. Spratt, Glen Street Theatre, 2pm
Northern Beaches Council | northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au | Glen Street Theatre | glenstreet.com.au
