SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17
ART Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age (until February 18) draws together 17th-century pieces borrowed from the Rijksmuseum, the national collection of the Netherlands. 10am-5pm, Art Gallery NSW, Art Gallery Road, the Domain, city, $24, artgallery.nsw.gov.au
FAMILY Enjoy frozen festivities at Christmas Wonderland Sydney Showground (until December 24) with visitors invited to go for a spin on the ice rink or play around in Santa's snow pit. Little ones can also create their own decoration for the tree, listen to stories from a fairy or go on the carnival rides. 10am-2pm and 3pm-7pm, Sydney Showground, Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park, $39.95/$35, ticketmaster.com.au
EXHIBITION The Australian Red Cross exhibit Culture Under Attack (until March 31) shows the work of photojournalists exploring the wartime destruction of buildings and artefacts, plus the custodians valiantly trying to preserve these important heritage objects. 11am-4pm, Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, city, free, sydneycustomshouse.com.au
MUSIC Hear hundreds of singers joyously belting out Handel's Messiah alongside an orchestra and the Sydney Town Hall grand organ at the annual fundraising performance from Radio Community Chest's combined church choirs. 3pm, Sydney Town Hall, 483 George Street, city, $43-$55, handelsmessiah.org.au
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18
FAMILY Creative youngsters can invigorate their imagination in Santa's Studio (until December 19) as they craft their own nature-inspired gifts. 10am-noon and 1-3pm, the Wild Play Discovery Centre, Dickens Drive, Centennial Park, $30-$60, centennialparklands.com.au
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19
STAGE Prepare to gasp at the summer spectacle of The Unbelievables (until December 29), as an eclectic cast of ventriloquists, sword swallowers, magicians, aerial performers and knife throwers show off their dazzling skills. 7pm, Sydney Opera House, $64.90-$114.90, sydneyoperahouse.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20
FILM The inner west edition of American Express Openair Cinemas gets into the Christmas spirit with a screening of Elf (rated PG), the 2003 comedy starring Will Ferrell as a Christmas helper who discovers he is human. 6pm, Cadigal Green, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, $20, openaircinemas.com.au
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21
MUSIC Local baritone saxophonist Steve Fitzmaurice leads the tribute to jazz great Charles Mingus at Mingus Amongst Us, as he and fellow musicians reinterpret Mingus' compositions. 8pm, Django Bar, 19 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, $20, camelotlounge.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22
STAGE Sport for Jove theatre company holds its annual outdoor Shakespeare in the Park (until December 30) festival, with Lizzie Schebesta directing the dark comedy Measure for Measure. 7.30pm, Bella Vista Farm Park, corner Norwest Boulevard and Elizabeth MacArthur Drive, Bella Vista, $38, sportforjove.com.au
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23
MARKETS Grab a few last-minute goodies at the Carriageworks Christmas Farmers Market with stall holders selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, as well as hams, seafood, cheeses, baked goods and plants. 8am-1pm, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Redfern, free, carriageworks.com.au