10 Things To Do to make your new year special
1. TWILIGHT MARKETS
Where: The Esplanade, Bulcock Beach in Caloundra
When: Friday, December 30, 5pm to 9pm
YOU'LL love the festivities and energy of the Twilight Markets, not to mention the beautiful backdrop of the Glass House Mountains with the sun setting over Pumicestone Passage. More than 150 stalls include street food, gourmet sweets, handmade artisan crafts, fashion and jewellery. The Twilight Markets will run December 30 and January 2, 13 and 20.
2. WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Woodfordia, Woodrow Rd, Woodford
Over six days and six nights from December 27 to January 1
Info: http://www.woodfordfolkfestival.com
WOODFORD Folk Festival is held annually and this year boasts more than 2000 performers and 438 events featuring local, national and international guests. The festival program features concerts, dances, street theatre, writers' panels, film festival, comedy sessions, acoustic jams, social dialogue and debate, folk medicine, an entire children's festival, an environmental program with talks, debates and films, art and craft workshops, circus performances and workshops, late-night cabarets, parades and special highlights including a spectacular fire event.
3. NYE MOOLOOLABA
What: The biggest New Year's Eve in the region
Where: The Esplanade, Mooloolaba.
When: From about 5.30pm on Saturday, December 31
THE annual, free, family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration includes live music on the main stage, energetic DJ sets on the beach stage, carnival rides, talented buskers, roving street entertainment and two spectacular fireworks displays at 8.30pm and midnight.
4. NYE CALOUNDRA
Where: Lions Park and Amphitheatre, Kings Beach
When: From 4pm on Saturday, December 31
HEAPS of rides, pace-painting, food stalls, jumping castles and entertainment will see in the new year in Caloundra. Zootopia the movie will screen at 7.30pm and fireworks will light up the sky at 9.30pm. Performers will include Pete Allan Music, Doolie, Paul Camilleri and Adam Brown.
5. FREE FAMILY FUN
What: Art activities for children
Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre in Maple St, Cooroy
When: Tuesday, January 3, to Wednesday, January 11 (closed Monday, January 9), 10am-3pm
Info: Call 5442 6665 or see http://www.butterfactoryartscentre.com.au/kids-on-tour.html
THIS free, family holiday fun is courtesy of The Gabori Sisters: Gathering by the Sea Kids on Tour: an exciting hands-on activities for children that explore the important relationship the Kaiadilt people of the Gulf Carpentaria have with the sea. This is a touring program courtesy of the Brisbane-based Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art.
6. ENGINES ALIVE DAY
What: Vintage aircraft and memorabilia display
Where: Queensland Air Museum, 7 Pathfinder Dr, Caloundra
When: Saturday, January 7
Info: www.qam.com.au
QAM will host its first Engines Alive Day on Saturday, January 7, and the F-111 cockpit will be open all day. Imagine the thrill of sitting at the controls of an aircraft capable of Mach 2.5 - 2655kmh that can fly to 20,000m above Earth. This is a photo opportunity not available anywhere else in Queensland. All of QAM's 70-plus aircraft and related displays will be on show along with a jumping castle for the kids, Second World War Jeep rides and a range of food and drink options.
7. OCEAN RANGERS
Where: SEA LIFE Mooloolaba at The Wharf
When: January 4, 6, 11, 13, 18 and 20
THE kids can join the Ocean Ranger Program where they can feed, touch and meet some of SEA LIFE Mooloolaba's amazing marine creatures. The program includes behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, animal feeding and lunch. The cost is $75 full day or $50 half-day per child.
8. ABSOLUTE KAOS TOUR
When: January 7, from noon to 10pm
Where: The Big Pineapple, Woombye
Info: http://www.fmxkaos.com.au and www.outix.co
ABSOLUTE Kaos Tour 2017 is an adrenalin-filled, high-action, extreme-sports extravaganza for the whole family. On offer will be some of Australia's best freestyle FMX, BMX and scooter riders. Performers include Nitro Circus rider Michael "Chucky" Norris, Joel Brown, Red Bull X-fighters rider Tom Robinson riding FMX, as well as 2016 X-Games silver medallist Logan Martin, internationally acclaimed Alex Hym and Mark Albert carving it up on BMX, and Aaron Hawkins and Joel Gon Gee on scooter.
9. PEREGIAN ORIGINALS
When: January 8, 1-5pm
Where: Peregian Beach Park
LIVE original music comes to Peregian Beach Park on the second Sunday of each month in a family-friendly concert powered by donations.
10. ARCHAEOLOGY FAMILY FUN WEEK
When: Monday, January 9, to Friday, January 20 (excluding weekends)
Where: The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology, 1-63 The Abbey Place, Caboolture
Info: www.abbeymuseum.com.au
THE Abbey Museum's school holiday archaeology program is packed full of fun-based learning crafts, activities and workshop, inspired by its collection of Asian antiquities. Activities include: making a Chinese mask, lantern or dragon, Chinese ribbon dancing, clay modelling, Chinese design colouring, archery and even a workshop that lets kids become an archaeologist for the day
