Christmas comes to Cessnock City throughout December!

The Christmas spirit will be on full display in and around the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA) this December, with a bumper program of free family events happening throughout the month. From music to movies, arts and crafts to competitions, magic shows to stories, there’s bound to be something for everyone.

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In lieu of the traditional Carols at the Park event, this year will see a number of pop-up Christmas carol performances happening across the LGA. Local entertainers including Anna Weatherup, Trinity Woodhouse, and more will be performing all your classic and contemporary Christmas favourites. The first of these performance will be held at Bridges Hill Park from 10am on Friday 17 December, followed by Maybury Peace Park Weston from 10am on Saturday 18 December. The pop-ups will then move to Vincent Street Cessnock, outside Council’s Administration Building from 1pm on Monday 20 December and Cessnock Library on Vincent Street from 11am on Wednesday 22 December.

Cessnock Youth Centre and Outreach Service (CYCOS) have a host of activities planned both on and offline. In the digital space there are online Christmas trivia competitions, and a very special Christmas anime drawing workshop with manga artist Matt Lin. For those looking to get crafty this Christmas, CYCOS have a limited number of take home DIY Christmas Ornament Packs available. Kit numbers are strictly limited, contact CYCOS to secure a kit before they’re all gone. The kits will be available for collection from CYCOS or Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries. CYCOS will also be hosting an afternoon of Christmas crafts, fun and games at Turner Park Aberdare from 2pm to 5.30pm on Wednesday 15 December for kids aged 11 years and over. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential, contact CYCOS to register today.

Cessnock Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) will be unleashing a world of magic with two Christmas-themed performances from international award-winning magician Joel Howlett at 10.30am and 1pm on Tuesday 21 December. Family Christmas Film screenings will return to CPAC this year, with screenings of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms at 6.30pm on Wednesday 15 December, The Santa Clause at 6.30pm on Friday 17 December, and 2009’s animated A Christmas Carol at 2pm on Wednesday 22 December. Bookings are essential and can be made through CPAC.

Cessnock City Library will be holding a very special Christmas edition of their always popular Storytime for the little ones from 11am on Tuesday 14 December at CPAC, with special guests Ship ‘O’ Fools and Santa! Bookings are essential and can be made through CPAC.

The full program of free events is available for download on Council’s website at www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/ChristmasinCessnockCity. For more information on CYCOS events or to book contact the team on 0417 262 426 or via their Facebook page www.facebook.com/CessnockYouthCentre. To reserve tickets for events at CPAC, contact the Box Office on 02 4993 4266 or online at www.cessnockperformingartscentre.com.au.