lifestyle
DECEMBER
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Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race DECEMBER 26 Pick your favourite coastal vantage point to watch the yachts sail away from Sydney and be there at Hobart’s magnificent harbour to welcome those who make it in to shore. This year is the 72nd edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, which begins at 13:00 hours on Boxing Day. It’s the perfect excuse to keep the summer festivities going as Christmas draws to a close. Rolexsydneyhobart.com
JANUARY
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January 11–15
January 16–29
January 20–29
January 26
Parkes Elvis Festival, NSW
Australian Open Tennis, Melbourne
Tamworth Country Music Festival
Yabun
Record crowds are expected for the 25th Anniversary of the Parkes Elvis Festival, which has the fitting theme this year of ‘Viva Las Vegas’. The festival continues to attract 22,000-plus Elvis fans to the Central NSW town of Parkes to celebrate ‘The King’ each January. Relive rock’n’roll’s heyday with plenty of wigs, white polyester and rock’n’roll glasses. parkeselvisfestival.com.au
There’s nothing like being courtside to see your favourite players compete, dripping with sweat in the Melbourne summer. Various packages are available for those wanting to absorb as much tennis and sunshine as possible. There are food and drink options to suit every palate, and music and entertainment to boot. event.ausopen.com/home
Australia’s largest music festival and one of the world’s top 10: with more than 2800 shows across 120 different venues, this is one giant hoedown. Don’t miss the Golden Guitar Awards, where fans get to rub shoulders with the biggest names in country music and see all of their favourite artists perform in one huge show. tcmf.com.au
Celebrate Australia Day by recognising our nation’s First Peoples at Sydney’s Victoria Park. Yabun is Australia’s largest festival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Meaning ‘music to beat’ in Gadigal language, the event is free to attend, with live music, a bustling market, cultural performances and panel discussions. yabun.org.au
look
ahead
February 25–March 5 Australian Open of Surfing The 2km Manly surf beach and promenade turn up the heat during this surfing and skating fest. australianopenofsurfing.com
February 10–March 5 Perth International Arts Festival Don’t miss Australia’s longest-running international arts festival and Western Australia’s premier cultural event. perthfestival.com.au
March 3-19 Adelaide Festival of Arts Book in advance for acclaimed theatre and music productions, dance pieces, author talks and striking arts displays. adelaidefestival.com.au
March 10-13 WOMAdelaide Australia’s foremost world music and dance event isn’t just a festival, it’s an immersive cultural experience. womadelaide.com.au
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