So much to do during the school holidays

Christmas is almost here and six weeks of school holidays are on the horizon.

What better way to keep the kids entertained then to head down to Docklands and explore all that’s on offer?

To make things easy, we’ve put together a guide to Christmas and school holiday activities in Docklands.

To start with, you can enjoy the fun and festivities of the Christmas Twilight Markets each Friday before Christmas from 4pm until 9pm along Harbour Esplanade.

The first market was held on November 30 and attracted about 2000 people.

Pick up some last-minute presents, enjoy the carols and say hi to Santa.

There will also be two other carols events in Docklands in the lead up to Christmas.

Planetshakers is holding a Carols at Docklands event at the piazza at NewQuay Central from 5.30pm on December 23. For all the details see the story on page 13.

If you’re looking for somewhere to keep the kids entertained for hours, then head no further than Santa’s Christmas Spectacular at Wonderland Fun Park.

Walk through to the North Pole, visit the enchanted forest with the talking tree, stop by the Christmas village and take a photo with Santa before posting a letter in Santa’s special mailbox.

And don’t miss the Christmas circus show featuring acrobatic elves and an aerial snow angel at the Spiegeltent.

For more opening times and ticket prices see http://www.wonderlandfunpark.com.au

While nearby, why not pop into Harbour Town and enjoy the Christmas festivities on offer?

Elves performing circus tricks, the great Christmas Gizmo and his unicycle and a Christmas clown will all be roving around the centre during the week before Christmas.

Don’t miss Harbour Town’s Christmas Wonderland where you can enjoy story-time with Mrs Claus, design your own toys and write a letter to Santa.

And of course you can meet the jolly man himself. Santa will be available for photos and will also be wandering around the centre in the lead up to Christmas.

For further details see http://www.harbourtownmelbourne.com.au

From Harbour Town it’s just a short walk to the Medibank Icehouse where, on December 16 and 17, you can see the Christmas on Ice show.

The show features a cast of international skating stars, Victorian state champions, Melbourne ice hockey players, synchronised skating teams and an ensemble case of 90 amateur figure skaters.  

The show will include Beatles classics along with all the favourite Christmas carols.

See http://www.icehouse.com.au for show times and ticket prices.

But the fun and festivities don’t stop with Christmas. Docklands is set to come alive on New Year’s Eve with celebrations starting from 7pm at the piazza at NewQuay Central.

The celebrations will include Channel 7 broadcasting live from the site, entertainment on the piazza stage, dress-ups and face painting.

Midnight fireworks will launch from a barge in Victoria Harbour.

With Christmas and New Year’s Eve taken care of, you’ll have time to stop by the Pavilion at Waterfront City for the Chronicles of Narnia exhibition.  

The exhibition opened last month and will be in Docklands until February 2. For all the details see the story on page 21.

To top off the end of the school holidays, don’t miss Cirque Du Soleil performing Ovo in Docklands under the company’s own big top.

The show explores the world of insects and can be seen in Docklands from January 17 until February 3.

For more information see wwwcirquedusoleil.com

With so much happening in Docklands we’re sure you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate the festive season, ring in the new year and enjoy the summer holidays.