The Summer Planner - December 23

Puppeteria

Tear the kids away from the screen and get them to a good old-fashioned source of entertainment this summer: a live puppet show. The family-run Jeral Puppets have been in business since 1966, much to the delight of children across Sydney. They boast a cast of over 1080 puppets and 123 different storylines, all presented at their two Puppeteria Theatres in Randwick and Castle Cove. Animals, fairytale characters and Christmas icons alike make appearances in the Puppeteria holiday shows throughout December and January. Catch Santa's Christmas Holiday on December 23 and 24, and a huge variety of tales including Pinocchio, Puss in Boots and The Gingerbread Man in January and beyond. Most shows recommended for nine years and under. Various dates and times through December-January, 48A Carrington Road, Randwick and 12H Denawen Avenue, Castle Cove, adult $14, child $11, 9371 7328, puppeteria.com.

Christmas lights adventure

Bundle in and buckle up for a leisurely drive around Sydney's best residential Christmas light displays before Santa arrives on Christmas Eve. Sydney is home to a litany of stunning light shows, featuring bulbs and ropes of all colours, Santas of the plastic, wooden and robotic varieties, elves, reindeer and sleighs, nativity scenes, creepy gnomes and even makeshift snow. Sydney Road in Hornsby Heights, Borgnis Street in Davidson and Second Street in Ashbury are well-known for their yearly displays. Several suburbs, including Lane Cove and Parramatta, also run Christmas light display competitions, so take a gander at those suburbs and try to pick the winner. Pack snacks for the kids and invest in a cheap carols CD for this family event that won't break the bank. The slightly crazed Christmas aficionados behind the displays often raise money for various charities, too, so look out for donation boxes. Go after 8pm and stick to the suburbs to avoid traffic. Until the Twelfth Night (if you're a traditionalist), 8pm-when the kids fall asleep, free.

Wet'n'Wild in the West

Need an escape from the summer heat but don't want to trek to the beach? Hit the slides at Wet'n'Wild, the huge Prospect water park now open for its second season. The enormous array of slides, rides and water activities will keep kids and adults alike entertained for hours. Young thrill-seekers will love the big rides at Wet'n'Wild, including 360Rush, Bombora, Riptide and the raging Tantrum. For those who like a little less adrenalin in their lives, Nickelodeon Beach is the place to be - it's a special part of the park for younger children, with a big range of kid-friendly slides and pools. Featuring plenty of Nickelodeon characters like Spongebob, Dora and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Nickelodeon Beach even includes a shaded water pool for the tiny tots. Neither food nor eskies can be brought into Wet'n'Wild, and don't forget the sunscreen. Parking available on site and a shuttle bus to the park runs from Parramatta, Seven Hills and Blacktown stations. Open daily through Dec-Jan, hours vary (closed Christmas Day), Wet'n'Wild Sydney, 427 Reservoir Road, Prospect, single-day admission $49.99-$79.99, 13 33 86, wetnwildsydney.com.au.

SYDNEY

Santa Fest at Darling Harbour

Head to Darling Harbour for CBD Christmas festivities as it plays host to Santa Fest 2014. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to converge on the harbour, taking part in an extensive program of family-friendly activities. The harbour contains numerous giant inflatable Santas - as jolly as they are ominous - and visitors can hire Santa Paddle Boats from the Darling Harbour Marina. The merry spirit of the season will be all around, as decorations, street performers and carollers complete an idyllic city Christmas scene. Wander across Pyrmont Bridge and soak in the sights on the Darling Harbour boardwalk, enjoying the Christmas cheer. Plus, Christmas Eve visitors should prepare to be dazzled by a fireworks display, set to explode above Cockle Bay at 9pm. Catch the light rail to Darling Harbour from Central or take a bus up George Street and walk. Until Christmas Eve, Darling Harbour, Sydney, most activities free, 9240 8500, darlingharbour.com.

Christmas cheer in Martin Place

If you've already checked out Darling Harbour and are keen for festivities elsewhere in the CBD, head to Martin Place, where Christmas cheer meets interactive technology. The giant Christmas tree in this busy thoroughfare is at the behest of the public - visitors can control the colours of the LED light displays via the use of a fun touch pad kiosk. Visitors can also text 0427 840 851 or use the hashtag #sydxmastree on Twitter or Instagram to send a unique personal message looping around the tree. Once you've had a good play, stroll on down the promenade to enjoy the Street Light Disco, where shimmering banners with coloured lights make like disco balls, throwing a beautiful light sparkle onto the city. Catch a train to Martin Place and emerge onto the promenade, or any bus heading to Circular Quay and disembark at Martin Place on George Street. Until Christmas Day, evenings, Martin Place, Sydney, free, sydneychristmas.com.au.

Beautiful Whale

Get up close and personal with whales in this stunning exhibition by experienced whale photographer Bryant Austin. Featuring 11 life-sized images measuring up to two by nine metres, visitors can see dwarf minke whales from the Great Barrier Reef, sperm whales from the Eastern Caribbean and humpback whales from the South Pacific. Each photograph is taken from an intimate distance and shows a rare connection with the enormous and majestic animals. To take the photographs, Austin spends months at a time with pods of whales, armed only with a camera and a snorkel, waiting for a whale to come close enough for the perfect picture. His portrayal of these majestic sea creatures is not only beautiful, but carries a message of conversation, intended to promote thought on the ways in which human activity can adversely affect animals. Open daily until February 1, 9.30am-5pm December (closed Christmas Day), 9.30am-6pm January, The Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney, adult $15, child and concession $10, 9298 3777, anmm.gov.au.

A Christmas Carol

Relive the stories of Christmas past at the Belvoir Theatre, as director Anne-Louise Sparks and her talented cast present an adaptation of this Charles Dickens classic. Audiences will meet Ebenezer Scrooge, the most notorious miser of all, and follow his eye-opening journey to understand the spirit of Christmas. Whether you know the tale off by heart or are viewing it for the first time, the messages contained in Dickens' Christmas novel remain relevant today. This production encourages audiences to let go of the things they hold on to and find joy in generosity and the people around us. Suitable for children aged eight and older. Catch a train or bus to Central and walk five minutes to the Belvoir Theatre. December 23, 6.30pm and December 24, 8pm, The Belvoir Theatre, 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills, adult $68, seniors $58, concession $48, 9699 3444, belvoir.com.au.

Christmas Markets

Want to do some last-minute Christmas shopping away from the sweaty confines of a frantic shopping mall? Get going to the annual Village Christmas Markets at The Entertainment Quarter. The last market will be held on Christmas Eve, where visitors can pick up everything they need for their Christmas lunch or dinner. On offer will be gift hampers, fresh seasonal produce, turkeys and other essentials for indulgent Christmas feast. Those with a sweet tooth can also pick up Christmas desserts from the markets, with a variety of cakes, puddings, handmade chocolates and other delectable treats on offer. Best of all, those who crave efficiency in their holiday planning can even pre-order their produce and collect it on the day. Several buses regularly run from various city locations to The Entertainment Quarter - visit the "Getting here" page on their website for details. December 24, early-3pm, The Entertainment Quarter, Lang Road, Moore Park, free, 8117 6700, eqmoorepark.com.au.

OUT OF TOWN

Steel City Sound - Wollongong

Calling all Australian live music aficionados - head to Wollongong Art Gallery for the musical exhibition of the summer. Steel City Sound, now on show, puts memorabilia, art, photography, videos and music on display to commemorate 50 years of Wollongong's rock'n'roll scene. A celebration of Wollongong's live music heritage, this popular exhibition attracted over 1000 people to the opening event. Featuring work by artists Tony Ameneiro, Lenny Curley, Tom Dion, Jodie Downie and more, the exhibition also boasts displays curated by the Illawarra Folk Club, Tumbleweed and Zondrae King. In the Mann-Tatlow Gallery, visitors can find Wollongong's own music Hall of Fame. Spend some time in this historical exhibit and relive the musical decades that influenced Wollongong musicians over the years - the freewheeling '60s, the punk and grunge of the '80s and the advent of dance and hip-hop in the 21st century. Until March 15, Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-4pm, Wollongong Art Gallery, corner of Kembla and Burelli streets, Wollongong, 4227 8500, wollongongartgallery.com.au.

Ted Ryder Cup Day - Wagga Wagga

The Ted Ryder Cup Day is perfect for a pre-Christmas get-together with family, friends or colleagues. Put on by the Murrumbidgee Turf Club, this exciting event allows people to dress up, enjoy a drink and relax in front of eight local horse races. For the hardcore racegoers, the 1600 metre, $25,000 Ted Ryder Cup is shaping up to be a strong field, with horses Art Thou Ready, Devised, Yet To Be Convinced and Grand Allowance all nominated. There's a strong contingent of local horses contesting the race against opposition from Canberra, Albury and Wodonga. Marquee and garden party packages are available. Children under 18 permitted only in the company of a responsible adult. December 23, gates open at noon, Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Travers Street, Wagga Wagga, $8, 6921 2151, mtcwagga.com.au.

In The Flesh - Canberra

Humanness is the central theme of this confronting exhibition, which considers what it means to be an intelligent human mind within a fleshy human body. In the flesh forces visitors to think about the juxtaposition between mind and body, and how a disconnect exists between these two essential elements of our very being. Featuring several Australian contemporary artists including Jan Nelson, Natasha Bieniek, Patricia Piccinini, Juan Ford and more, In the flesh deals with concepts such as intimacy, empathy, transience and mortality. The exhibition has several interactive elements, including a sound tour with stories from people who work in professions where they confront their humanness on a daily basis. There is also an organic, fleshy space where visitors can feel items shaped like body parts in the "blind-touch" boxes. It's a family-friendly affair, with a booklet available designed to guide children through the exhibition. Until March 9, Mon-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Christmas Day, The National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Canberra, adult $10, concession $8, 6102 7000, portrait.gov.au.