By Cristina Natoli
MUSIC
CAROLS
St Paul's Cathedral's choir and congregation will sing hymns and carols in a 90-minute service.Credit: iStock
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
Spend Christmas Eve under the stars at Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight. Pack a picnic blanket or opt for a seat in front of the stage as carols veterans Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino and Denis Walter perform. All ticket proceeds are donated to vision-impaired children and their families.
Proceeds from Carols by Candlelight at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl will go to vision-impaired children and their families.Credit: Penny Bradfield
Today, 8pm, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Kings Domain Gardens, 21 Linlithgow Avenue, city, $40-$255, 136 100, ticketmaster.com.au
CHRISTMAS CAROLS SERVICE
Take part in a Christmas tradition and listen to the nativity story on the site of Melbourne's first public Christian service. Beginning with Once in Royal David's City and closing with Come all ye Faithful, St Paul's choir and congregation will sing hymns and carols to celebrate the birth of Jesus in a 90-minute service.
Today, 6pm-7.30pm, St Paul's Cathedral, corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets, city, free entry, 9653 4333, cathedral.org.au
Grammy Award-winning guitarist and singer Frank Gambale brings his new vocal group Soulmine to Bird's Basement.
JAZZ FUSION
Grammy Award-winning guitarist and singer Frank Gambale and his new vocal group Soulmine wrap up 2016 with some Australian shows. Once a graduate and teacher of Hollywood's Guitar Institute of Technology, Gambale now has more than 20 albums under his belt and is credited as the creator of the "sweep picking" guitar technique.
High tea: Three-tiers of bite-sized sweet and savoury treats in the lobby lounge of The Westin Melbourne. Credit: Eugene Hyland
December 27-30, various times, Bird's Basement, 11 Singers Lane, city, $35-$55, 1300 225 299, birdsbasement.com
ALT-COUNTRY
Seasons greetings: Christmas-inspired gelato flavours at Tutto Bene.Credit: Jesse Spezza
Aussie six-piece Cash Savage and the Last Drinks conclude their year of touring by headlining as part of the NGV's Friday Nights series. Enjoy after-hours access to the David Hockney: Current and Viktor & Rolf: Fashion Artists exhibitions, in addition to food, drinks and DJ Woody McDonald on the decks.
December 30, 6pm-10pm, NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, city, $12-$35, 8662 1555, ngv.vic.gov.au
The Melbourne season of the Broadway musical Kinky Boots continues at Her Majesty's Theatre until the end of January.Credit: Matthew Murphy
LIVE
THEATRE
Philippe Parreno's The Crowd. The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is hosting an exhibition of the acclaimed French artist and filmmaker's work.
Elizabeth Brennan makes her Australian Shakespeare Company debut, starring in the lead role of Viola in the al fresco season of Twelfth Night. Director Glenn Elston has given the play a contemporary edge by throwing in some pop culture references with the Bard's characters and storyline.
Until March 4, Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, $25-$40, 8676 7511, shakespeareaustralia.com.au
Cash Savage and the Last Drinks headline the NGV's Friday Nights series.
MUSICAL
Kinky Boots, the Broadway musical based on the true story of a man's endeavour to save his family's shoe business, extends its Melbourne season. Pop star Cyndi Lauper wrote the music and lyrics for the award-winning production and her hit numbers include Take What You Got and Land of Lola. Season concludes January 29, 2017.
Beyond the Valley festival: More than 50 Australian and international artists perform across four days.
Today, 2pm, Her Majesty's Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, city, $65-$170, 1300 795 012, ticketek.com.au
FOOD
Contemporary edge: The Australian Shakespeare Company present an al-fresco Twelfth Night in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
HIGH TEA
Indulge with a Christmas-themed high tea, featuring three-tiers of bite-sized sweet and savoury treats, in the lobby lounge of the Westin. The menu includes cranberry, ginger and vanilla scones, gourmet sandwiches and decadent desserts, such as almond and white peach praline with crispy feuilletine and whipped ganache. The beverage selection varies depending on the choice of package, from unlimited tea and coffee to prosecco and champagne. Bookings essential. Available until December 31.
Today and tomorrow, 11am-4pm, The Westin Melbourne, 205 Collins Street, city, $30-$74, 9635 2222, westinmelbourne.com
GELATO
Buon Natale! Italian eatery Tutto Bene has introduced a selection of Christmas-inspired gelato flavours to their gelateria for a limited time only. The special editions, made in-house by head chef Nathan Scarfo, include candy cane, pavlova, gingerbread, tiramisu and cassata, topped off with festive garnishes. The new range joins an award-winning, traditionally crafted gelato selection, featuring refreshing summer flavours such as blood orange and limoncello. Ends December 26.
Today, 10.30am-10pm, Tutto Bene, M28/3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank, $5 per scoop, 9696 3334, tuttobene.com.au
PICNIC
Take advantage of free public transport tomorrow and head to the Queen Victoria Gardens for a large-scale picnic. The Melbourne Social Club will host its 11th Christmas Day picnic lunch, expecting more than 100 attendees, if last year is any indication. Pack food and drink, wear a name tag and spend the festive occasion meeting and dining with new members of the community. Club member Ian will welcome visitors on arrival. Bookings close at midnight.
Tomorrow, noon-3pm, Queen Victoria Gardens, St Kilda Road, opposite NGV International, city, free, melbournesocial.com.au
LUNCH
The Hotel Windsor's executive chef Joel Alderson presents the venue's signature plum pudding among a yuletide buffet spread. The three-hour Christmas lunch will have an extensive seafood selection, from mixed sushi to pickled octopus, king prawns and cured ocean trout. The carvery features baked ham and roast turkey breast with all the trimmings, and mains include braised leg of lamb and vegetarian options, such as pumpkin and goat's cheese ravioli.
Tomorrow, noon-3pm, The Hotel Windsor, 111 Spring Street, city, $125- $299, 9633 6004, thehotelwindsor.com.au/christmas
ELSEWHERE
MARKET
Bring your own basket or bag to the Slow Food Farmers' Market, a plastic-bag-free event, and stock up on fresh produce for a Christmas feast. For traditional festive fare, purchase free-range whole turkeys, schnitzels, rolls and other goods from Leadoux Turkey. Westernport Mussels and Wakame will have locally caught seafood and seaweed at their stall, and Di's Rhubarb and Tivoli Road Bakery have desserts covered, with fruit cakes and Christmas puddings.
Today, 8am-1pm, Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Road, Abbotsford, gold coin entry, vfma.org.au
FESTIVAL
Ring in the new year at the third annual Beyond the Valley music festival. More than 50 Australian and international artists will perform across four days, including Ladyhawke and Claptone. Take part in morning yoga classes and enjoy a hammock park, shopping stalls, bars and a 24-hour food service. Accommodations vary from general camping to Lux Camp, and festivalgoers will have access to a range of free facilities.
December 28-January 1, various times, Lardner Park, 155 Burnt Store Road, Warragul, $150-$420, beyondthevalley.com.au
FAMILY
CREEK PLAY
Pack your bathers and keep cool among native wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary's Creek Play. Free for kids aged 16 and younger during the summer school holidays, the sanctuary invites families to spend a day by the banks of Badger Creek, to enjoy a picnic, swim, and admire the animals. Visitors can have a bush experience by catching a glimpse of frolicking platypuses, blue kangaroos hopping around and koalas nestled in the treetops. Runs until January 31.
Today and tomorrow, 9am-5pm, Healesville Sanctuary, Badger Creek Road, Healesville, free-$32.50, 5957 2800, zoo.org.au/healesville
ICE SKATING
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Put on your skates and relish ice-skating across two Olympic-sized ice rinks. DJs provide the soundtrack and, on weekends between 11am-3pm, Santa Claus joins skaters on the ice. Free lessons are available for beginners and intermediate skaters who want to improve their skills. At various times, children can also enjoy free face painting, a craft zone, snow play areas and activities. Ends December 31.
Today, 9am-11pm, Obrien Group Arena, 105 Pearl River Road, Docklands, $14-$27, 1300 756 699, obriengrouparena.com.au
ART
KOORIE ART SHOW
Admire and purchase art from the annual Koorie Art Show, a collection of works created by Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Displayed in the gallery of the Koorie Heritage Trust, the initiative is a platform for emerging and established artists to receive recognition and become eligible to win a number of awards, such as the $5000 Creative Victoria Award for Excellence in Any Media. Open until February 26, 2017.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm, Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery, Yarra Building, Federation Square, Flinders Street, city, free entry, 8662 6300, koorieheritagetrust.com
SOVEREIGNTY
The recent and historical works of more than 30 Indigenous artists have been combined to present Sovereignty, a series which focuses on the sovereignty of the First Nations people of south-east Australia. Narratives in each piece cover the cultural, traditional and linguistic similarities and diversities of various communities. Hip hop, film and digital story telling also feature among traditional painting and carving techniques. Ends March 26.
Today, 11am-5pm, Australian Centre For Contemporary Art, 111 Sturt Street, Southbank, free entry, 9697 9999, accaonline.org.au
EXHIBITION
Thenabouts, the first Australian solo exhibition of acclaimed French artist and filmmaker Philippe Parreno, continues at ACMI. A gallery technician controls the cinematic journey of the exhibit, which is a retrospective of Parreno's filmic works. Stills and moving images from his movies, including 2015's The Crowd, are teamed with original music scores and special effects to create an unparalleled viewing experience. Parreno recently presented a major display at London's Tate Modern. Ends March 13.
Today, 10am-5pm, Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Flinders Street, city, free, 8663 2200, acmi.net.au