Every day in Rocky is a great day, but it’s true to say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Homes and businesses light up in colourful displays, the smell of family meals wafts from open windows and our streets come alive with celebrations and connections.
To inspire you in the leadup to the big day on December 25, we’ve compiled our own Live Rockhampton version of the 12 Days of Christmas.
We love getting into the festive spirit in Rocky, which means there are far too many events and community gathers to include them all here. Be sure to check out the Explore Rockhampton and Rockhampton Regional Council events calendars to see what’s happening in your suburb!
CBD Christmas Fair
Riverside Precinct, Quay Street, Rockhampton
The CBD Christmas Fair and Lighting of the Christmas Tree is a time-honoured fixture of Rockhampton’s festive season.
The Riverside Precinct comes to life in a sea of colour hosting market stalls, food vendors and family activities around the big moment when the giant Christmas tree lights get switched on.
Visit the website
Radiance
Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, 100 Spencer Street, The Range
Radiance sees the Botanic Gardens illuminated in a spectacular display of lights, lasers, holograms, projections and soundscapes taking you on a breathtaking Christmas journey.
Always a popular event, this is one to book in advance to avoid disappointment and is suitable for the whole family with low-sensory sessions also available. (Image courtesy Peter Ilott)
Visit the website
Carols by Candlelight
Pilbeam Theatre, Cnr Victoria Parade and Cambridge Street, Rockhampton
The annual Carols by Candlelight is a heart-warming and toe-tapping night for the whole family, bringing the best local talent under one roof to perform all your Christmas favourites.
Sing-along and celebrate community spirit, while knowing entry donations go towards a charity making a difference right here in the Rockhampton Region.
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Letters to Santa
Customs House, 220 Quay Street, Rockhampton
It’s time to polish up your Christmas list and get it posted to Santa. The North Pole Express Letterbox is outside Customs House for a limited time only (it takes a while to send letters that far!).
Include your name, home address and wishlist and place it in the letterbox by Monday 8th December to receive a response from the man in red in time for Christmas Day.
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Christmas Lights
From twinkling trees to glowing gardens, take a festive drive around your neighbourhood and celebrate the season by taking in amazing Christmas light decorations.
Last year it was Frenchville, Norman Gardens and Gracemere that really went above and beyond with the number of decorated houses. Are you getting into the spirit? Let us know via the Live Rockhampton Facebook page and we may share a pic of your decorated house with our followers!
Visit our Facebook page
Shopping
Rediscover our stunning CBD, your local suburban shopping strip or explore Gracemere or Mount Morgan while shopping local this Christmas.
We have an amazing range of small businesses in the region selling handmade goods, boutique fashion, quality menswear and gift ideas for that ‘hard to buy for’ person in your life.
Find a shopping precinct
Mount Morgan Buy Local
Mount Morgan and Surrounds
While we’re on the topic of local shopping, Mount Morgan Buy Local is a fantastic way to support our community and go in the draw to win a share in thousands of dollars’ worth of prize vouchers.
Simply spend $20 at a participating Mount Morgan business to go in the draw to win, and head along to the Mount Morgan Twilight Christmas Concert on 19 December to see if you’re a lucky winner!
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Bouldy Christmas Fair
Bouldercombe Recreation Complex, Burnett Highway, Bouldercombe
The Bouldy Christmas Fair is back and bigger than ever! Now held at the Bouldercombe Recreation Complex you’ll be able to find some great gift ideas and enjoy rides, entertainment, food and a visit from Santa.
It’s a family-friendly evening out for the whole family, and a great way to spread Christmas cheer across our entire region.
Visit the Facebook page
Festive Feasts
No Aussie Christmas is complete without indulging in your family’s traditional feast – whether that’s fresh prawns, piping-hot turkey, a perfectly glazed ham or your own unique twist.
Support our small businesses by paying a visit to your local seafood retailer, butcher or fruit and veg shop. It’s also a perfect time to gather with friends and family for a brunch, lunch or dinner at one of the 50+ eateries across the region.
Find a place to eat
Make a Splash!
There’s no escaping the fact that the summer holidays go hand-in-hand with sizzling temps at times. Our pools in Rockhampton, Gracemere and Mount Morgan are an affordable way to beat the heat and open throughout the holidays except for Christmas Day.
Alternatively, why not pack a lunch and head along to one of our local water play areas at Kershaw Gardens, Riverside Park or Cedric Archer Park?
Find your local pool or water play area
Rockhampton Zoo
100 Spencer Street, The Range
Open daily except for 25th December
The holiday period is the perfect time to visit our most popular tourist spot, Rockhampton Zoo, and catch up with its beloved residents.
You can also purchase gift vouchers for the Junior Zookeeper Experience or encounters with our meerkats, otters or snakes. It’s a perfect Christmas gift for the animal lover in your family, and funds help support animal conservation efforts.
Visit the website
Christmas Photos
With so much to see and do across the Rockhampton Region over the Christmas period, time can fly by in an instant. Visit one of our local shopping centres or reach out to a local photographer to capture some perfect family moments.
And yes, you may even be able to take your furry friends along for their moment in the spotlight as well!