WITH perfect weather forecast, another great turnout is expected to attend Milawa's Carols in the Park and celebrate the season at twilight on Sunday, December 22.
Last year numbers swelled to around 750, with people from across the region and beyond making the most of the opportunity to come together in the relaxed atmosphere of the John McAleese Park and enjoy the live music and family-friendly entertainment.
Organiser Phil O'Keefe said the event has been growing in popularity each year, attracting families and people of ages from as far away as Melbourne and New South Wales.
He said this year promises to be just as exciting, with another impressive line-up of guest artists set to take to the stage, supported by The Pulsate Academy Dancers and Sing Australia.
Among the headline acts singing new and traditional carols will be Lachlan McIntyre, Alison Comensoli, Antonia Maher, Rebecca Scholte, Jeff Cabalar, Atty Carr, Trevor Hourigan, Charlotte Bongers and Denise O’Keefe.
A special guest will be local rock and roller Rodney Vincent, and kid's favourite, Rudolph.
Candles will be available for sale from 6.15pm along with a range of food including a sausage sizzle, ice cream, and there are great prizes to be won in the raffle.
Santa will also be in his Santa house from 6.30pm for those wanting to get a photo and capture a lasting memory of this special, seasonal event.
All are welcome to enjoy Carols in the Park in Milawa, with access to the park via the hall entrance.
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What's on in brief
Christmas market in Apex Park
THE Ultimate Events Christmas market will be held in Apex Park on Friday, December 20 from 5pm to 8.30pm, with the Rural City of Wangaratta providing some additional activities to enhance event.
There will be a selection of food vendors, live music, Mermaidia Braids (available for purchase), face-painting, an inflatable jumping castle, and a visit from Santa at 7pm, with Santa to stay for an hour to allow time for photos.
All are welcome with the opportunity for the community to give feedback and engage with council officers and councillors about the Council Plan 2025-2029.
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Creatives of Wangaratta Christmas market
THE next Creatives of Wangaratta and surrounds (CoWS) Christmas market will be held at the CWA Hall in Templeton Street (next to King George V Gardens) on Saturday, December 21 from 9am to 1pm.
This is the last market of the year, with 22 artists, makers and small business owners from the North East Region to showcase their wares - just in time for Christmas.
There will also be a visit from Santa, who will be available for family photos throughout the market, and the last sticker rally of the year, with a special prize going to those who've attended every market this year.
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Moyhu Christmas market on Saturday
THE Moyhu Lions Club will hold its next market in the Moyhu Lions Park on Saturday, December 21 from 8am until 12pm.
The market will feature new stall holder Tarra Tender Cuts who are bringing ham, a selection of seafood and meat, plus other stalls with fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil, plants, preserves, handcrafted wares and more, plus a Lions breakfast and coffee.
There will also be a Christmas competition with prizes to be won for the best Christmas-themed outfit (adults and children) with Santa expected to make an appearance.
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Fifteen exhibition at Art Gallery on Ovens
A GROUP exhibition by the 15 resident artists at the Art Gallery on Ovens is open in the laneway off Murphy Street daily from Thursday through until December 23.
See a wide range of artwork showcasing the artists individual styles, including examples of acrylic and oil painting, printmaking, drawing, watercolour, collage, multimedia, sculpture and more.
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Christmas fun at the Wangaratta Club
THE Wangaratta Club will host its first members-only Christmas family fun day on Sunday, December 22 from 4pm to 8pm.
There will be a sausage sizzle, jumping castle and mechanical surf board, plus a special visit from Santa.
For a limited time, the club is offering $5 memberships for those attending on the day.
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Wangaratta community market
THE Wangaratta community market runs every Sunday at Moore Than Swimming, located at 11-13 Mason Street in Wangaratta, from 8am until 1pm.
There are a wide range of stalls to browse with new and used items, plants, fruit and veg and more, with refreshments also on site.
Stalls are available for just $20 each (no bookings required) and car boot sales are welcome for $15, with more information via the market's Facebook page or call Sheree on 0401 665 886.
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Counterparts exhibition at Wangaratta Art Gallery
AN exhibition by friends and textile artists Britt Salt and Hannah Gartside, who met at the Victoria College of Arts in 2023, is being held at Wangaratta Art Gallery.
While differing in their approach, both artists celebrate the medium of textiles and extend the practice through a play with space, movement, intimacy, curiosity and interaction with the body.
Counterparts: Expanded Textile Practices features new work by both artists alongside formative work held in the Wangaratta Art Gallery Collection, and the extension of previous bodies of work.
Large scale textile installations transform the gallery space, and trace the development of each artist’s practice, and they can be seen at the gallery until February 16.
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Explore Material Implications at Wangaratta Art Gallery
AN exhibition called Material Implications which features work by Ballarat based artists Carole Wilson and Tim Craker, who use textile methodologies and materials to create their work, is being held in Gallery 2 at Wangaratta Art Gallery.
Using techniques such as sewing, knitting or the making of nets, the artists use found objects to create curtains, shrouds, geometric arrays, assemblages and installations in both two and three dimensions.
Through recycling, rescue and reuse, each examine the embodied histories of these discarded and oft maligned objects, with the exhibition running until December 22.
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Quilts on display at My Little Patch
A SELECTION of quilts made by local quilter Marg Higgins is on display at My Little Patch for the month of December.
See them in the shop at the rear of 49 Reid Street during opening hours.
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