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Nothing says Christmas on the Gold Coast like being outdoors by the water enjoying all the classic festive traditions…with a side of high-end shopping and dining of course! Ticking all the boxes, Sanctuary Cove is transforming into an Aussie Christmas wonderland, and this local icon sure knows how to leave a fa-la-la-la-lasting impression.
All December long you can enjoy a range of celebratory events and interactive displays, enchanting kids and big kids alike. Strike a pose with the huge Christmas tree or the gigantic Christmas present, and snap ‘elfies to your heart’s content! Take your mini-me and their letter to Santa and watch their face light up as they place it in the North Pole mailbox. Plus, mark the following in your calendar because trust us, these festive activities are the best thing since sliced (ginger) bread!
Christmas Carols
The Sanctuary Cove Carols has now been postponed to Wednesday the 7th of December due to wet weather conditions.
Start your Christmas celebrations off on the right note with the annual Sanctuary Cove Christmas Carols. Join in the merriment and head to the Docks precinct for a night of festive song and dance, set against the gorgeous Cove summer backdrop. While you’re there, enjoy a meal or a sneaky glass of Prossec-ho-ho-ho at one of the nearby waterfront restaurants.
When: From 5pm Wednesday 7th December
Santa Photos
It’s simply not Christmas until you’ve had a photo with the jolly man himself, so get your Santa snap fix at Sanctuary Cove. Always a hit with the littlies, your fur babies are even invited along on Sunday 11th for their very own (north)pole-aroid. Say cheese/woof/meow!
When: 11am – 3pm Thursday 8th – Friday 9th December, and 10am – 3pm Saturday 10th – Sunday 11th December
Christmas Celebrations
Enjoy live entertainment and carollers roaming the Sanctuary Cove streets spreading festive joy to one and all! Revel in the magic as you stroll around and shop for all your Christmas presents – sans the chaos of the big shopping centres. We feel (Blit)zen just thinking about it!
When: 10am – 1pm, Thursday 8th – Sunday 11th December
Win Prizes Instantly Whilst Shopping
Shop an array of bespoke, locally made homewares, clothing, and gifts which scream “wrap me!”, and you could win in the $12,500 prize giveaway. With every $50 purchase, receive a ‘Scratch & Win’ card for a chance to score one of 300 prizes, including an overnight getaway at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort*. Merry Christmas to me!
When: From Tuesday 22nd November
It’s time to take the reins and book that end-of-year celebration, family get-together, long lunch with friends, and indulgent self-care day…just in a (Saint) nick of time to soak up the festive buzz, and that iconic Sanctuary Cove summertime ambiance.
More details here.
Where: 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
When: 22nd November – 31st December
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY SANCTUARY COVE
*Terms and conditions apply
It’s that time again Gold Coasters (unsure how but what can you do). Christmas is here or it may as well be, since there are decorations everywhere and you may now pop down to see the big guy for a snap.
That’s right, it’s time to book in your Santa portraits pals and here’s the lineup of where you can do exactly that around the Coast. Hip, hip hooray, after a couple of years of socially distanced snaps, sitting on a stool a little way away from the big man, we’re back to sharing a big chair, the way we all remember it.
Pacific Fair
Visit the brand spankin’ new Santa’s Golden Palace filled with golden treasures for all to enjoy from now until Saturday 24th December. Santa and his elves have been working hard on brand new set this year so you can take a memorable Santa photo. Pacific Fair hosts Santa photos for everyone including pet photos for pictures with your fur babies, and Sensitive Santa, an experience with dimmed lights and no crowds. Plus, every child that visits Santa will receive a special surprise! Book here.
Where: Santa’s Golden Palace, Ground Floor outside Myer, Broadbeach
Stockland Burleigh Heads
Get your portraits taken at Stocklands Burleigh Heads from Saturday 3rd December until Christmas Eve. There’ll be times for Paws & Claus, Sensory Santa and even traditional Santa photos. You can book online here.
Where: Santa’s Beach Shack, outside Aldi, West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads
Australia Fair
Capture a magical photo moment with Santa every day from Thursday 1st December until Christmas Eve. As a special festive reward, they are offering a *FREE Santa photo when you spend $20 or more at Australia Fair or Metro! Terms and Conditions apply. Plus, every child who visits Santa will receive a free gift! No bookings required.
Where: 42 Marine Parade, Southport
Sanctuary Cove
Mark the annual Christmas tradition with a photo with Santa at Sanctuary Cove. Meet Father Christmas with your little ones (and fur babies too) inside Santa’s igloo and capture the moment to remember for years to come. The Santa photo booth will be open from 10am-3pm on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th December, then 11am-3pm on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December. Pet sessions are available on Sunday from 10am-3pm. No bookings required, but find more information on Santa photos and Sanctuary Cove’s other Christmas activities here.
Where: Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove
Tweed Mall
Visit Santa at Tweed Mall this Christmas and every child will receive a free gift from Santa. Times are 10am-2pm (NSW time) Sunday 4th December to Friday 16th December, then 10am-4pm (NSW time) from Saturday 17th December to Christmas Eve. Pet photos are available on Tuesday 13th and Thrusday 15th December from 3pm-8pm. Sundays are when you can experience ‘Surfy Santa’! For the first time Surfy Santa Photos will be on offer, FREE for the first 30 customers each Sunday. More details here.
Where: Centre Court near Target, Tweed Mall, Cnr Wharf and Bay Streets, Tweed Heads
Gold Coast Santa Beach Photos
Gold Coast Santa Photo Sessions are 5-10 minutes per shoot with Santa, your family and your pets! You will receive 4 high resolution digital images per session. Please read the full terms and conditions before booking. Available on various November dates on Miami Beach. These photo shoots are super popular, with over 75% of spots are already filled. You can book your Santa Beach photo here.
Robina Town Centre
Meet Santa in his magical Enchanted Forest from now until Christmas Eve. There’s also an option for a Sensitive Santa experience in a low-stress, sensory-friendly environment that can be enjoyed by all, without the crowds, queues and noise (from Saturday 12th November) or Pet Photos at The Promenade (Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 5pm-8pm until the 4th December). Visit Santa during November to will receive a BONUS 6”x 8” photo with any package purchase over $49.95! Book here.
Also don’t forget the Awkward Christmas Portraits! Grab your best Christmas sweater, 90s scrunchie or leave it to the team who have a bunch of props on hand. It’ll be the most cringe worthy portrait of the season!
Where: Outside Myer and Kookai, Robina Town Centre, Robina
Paradise Country
Donning his Christmas overalls, boots and hat, Santa will be rockin’ into Paradise Country with his farmyard friends and making spirits bright with daily meet and greets. Get into the Christmas spirit with a jolly visit from 12 – 24 Dec before Santa heads back to the North Pole! Bookings essential.
More details here.
Where: Paradise Country, Production Dr, Oxenford QLD 4210
Dreamworld
Santa has made Dreamworld his Ho-Ho-Home!
Make Christmas memories with $12.95 Santa Photos available at The General Store near Steel Taipan 11am – 1pm every day until Christmas Eve – There’s no need to book!
*Price does not include entry into Dreamworld.
Where: Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera
Hold on to your (Santa) hats folks because as always, City of Gold Coast has a stellar line-up of carols and festive activities to make the whole family, well, light up like a Christmas tree!
Here’s the lowdown on what’s in store and where to go. Oh and how Rude-olph of us not to mention that everything is free, so there’s plenty of incentive to embrace your inner Christmas loving ‘elf.
Mayor’s Carols presented by Village Roadshow Theme Parks
Even if you’re not exactly Delta or Farnsy, we all love belting out a classic festive ditty and the Mayor’s Carols are the perfect opportunity to flex those vocal chords! Bringing Christmas cheer a-plenty to Broadwater Parklands on Saturday 3rd December from 5pm, this year’s all-Aussie line-up will knock your antlers off! We’re talking amazing artists, like headliner Anthony Callea and special guest Tim Campbell, performing tree-mendous renditions of all your favourites. The Warner Bros. Movie World’s Looney Tunes Christmas Show is back, as well as performances from Queenslander Faith Sosene, Frankie and the Holiday Seasons, the Brisbane City Gospel Choir and of course, an appearance from the jolly man himself.
The custard on the plum pudding is an awe-inspiring fireworks finale, and it’s flare to say that this will light up our night!
Broadbeach Christmas
This Saturday 10th until Sunday 18th of December, you’re invited to experience Broadbeach as you’ve never seen it before! Step inside the Broadbeach Mall, next to The Oasis Shopping Centre, and you’ll find the spectacular Gingerbread Village. Treat yo’elf to free daily activities like bon-bon making, gingerbread decorating, and story time. A perfect school holiday stocking calendar filler, you’d be (Christmas) crackers to miss it!
Coolangatta Carols
Coolangatta’s Queen Elizabeth Park will come alive with the spirit of Christmas on Sunday 11 December 2022, with the free Coolangatta Christmas Carols.
Presented by Division 14 Cr Gail O’Neill, attendees will be able to sing along to their favourite carols, enjoy spectacular festive performances, and settle in for a magical night under the Southern Gold Coast stars. Santa will be making an appearance by plane with plenty of entertainment for everyone to enjoy.
The Coolangatta Christmas Markets and food trucks will be open from 4pm (Qld time), with the stage show starting at 5.30pm, and the event finishing with a fantastic festive fireworks display.
Youn can find more information here.
Coomera Carols
Who’s excited for the most magical time of the year? On Saturday 17 December be prepared to sing your heart out at the Carols in Coomera! Kicking off at 4.30pm, bring the whole family along to the Coomera Sports Park to enjoy all the Christmas classics, as well as a festive kids show for the little elves in your life.
Devour your favourites from the delicious food trucks and let’s not forget the big man himself, Santa, who is extra excited for the short trip: from the North Pole to the Northern Gold Coast!
This FREE, family friendly event is presented by City of Gold Coast.
Getting there: Jump on jp.translink.com.au to plan your journey on public transport or make your journey active and walk, ride, scoot or skate to the event. There’ll be free limited parking at Coomera Indoor Sports Centre carpark, 35 Beattie Road, Coomera.
For more information search Carols in Coomera on Facebook or visit here.
Surfers Paradise Beach Carols
Carols on the Beach returns to the sands of Surfers Paradise on Sunday 18th December, set to make it rein-deer with all things festive and fun! Starting at 6pm, there’s a singalong with all the Christmas carol faves, led by a stellar line-up of local talent. Kids, keep your eyes peeled for a special appearance by a very popular man, who wears red and rocks a long white beard. You may have heard of him….wink wink. Then at 8pm, get ready for the night to go out with a bang, quite literally, when an epic fireworks display lights up the sky!
And there you have it, the 2022 round-up of our beautiful destination’s free Christmas carol activities. Whichever one (or ones!) you choose, you’ll feel the festive spirit from your head to your mistle-toe.
Keep your eyes peeled for all the deets here.
When: Various activations Saturday 3rd – Sunday 18th December 2022
Where: Various Gold Coast locations
STORY SPONSORED BY CITY OF GOLD COAST
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Oh how we love playing dress ups and enjoying the finer things in life. The only thing more exciting than tea and scones at Buckingham Palace is tea and scones (and so much more varie-tea) at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort’s mesmerising High Tea Immersion. Run ‘oolong’ on a Saturday and/or Sunday from 1pm – 4pm for this superior experience, which transforms high tea into a new immersive journey. How you ask? Make yourself a cuppa (obvs), get comfy and read on…
For the tea enthusiasts who appreciate a spot of name dropping, this will send your senses into overdrive. The exceptional menu, which we’ll unpack shortly, has been expertly crafted alongside the fine teamakers of Tea Forté. In case you’re not up to speed with tea hierarchy, these handcrafted luxury blends are the Margot Robbie of teas. Brew-tea-ful, award-winning, at the top of their game, and loved the world-over. And, to add a little more spesh factor, the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort is the first hotel in our sunburnt country to feature Tea Forté and cue the applause, coz this is quite the coup.
Bringing new innovative interpretations of their globally renowned tea flavours, Resort Executive Chef Hamish Watt and his team have been working overtime to create a High Tea menu to leaf you might-tea satisfied. Curated to guide each guest on an opulent culinary journey from arrival, imagine the VIP vibes when you’re greeted with a Tea Forté infused towel and a palate-cleansing iced tea piccolo. And, for an even more swish factor, opt for a choice of Champagnes and Wines or the signature ‘Pear-tea-ni’ Cocktail (SOLD!), infused with Tea Forté’s White Ginger Pear blend. Pretty sure this is our love language.
Served in the Cove Café, enjoy three tiers of sweet and savoury delights, each boasting unique flavour profiles of a contemporary artisanal brew and designed to pair perfectly with your beverage choice. Savoury lovers will go weak at the knees for the Spanner Crab with saffron mayonnaise and tobiko, Goats Labneh with oyster mushroom and melon radish, Slow-cooked 12-hour Toowoomba Beef Brisket Doughnut, and Smoked Tasmanian Salmon Mousse with fennel and cucumber. Sweet-a-holics will revel in the Salted Caramel Choux with orchid vanilla tea cream and caramel sauce, Coffee Chocolate Opera Cake with hazelnut cream and milk chocolate tuile, Berry Tart with ruby chocolate ganache and pistachio cream and last but not least, the Coconut and White Ginger Pear Tea Mousse with almond cream, apricot and white chocolate. Yep, we’ve got a toothache just thinking about it but #SoWorthIt.
There is an equally delightful spread for the vegan, nut-free, gluten-free and dairy-free folk, with the likes of Roast Pumpkin, Caraway Seed and Tomato Blini, Grilled Corn with beetroot escabeche and cucumber, Dark Chocolate Mousse with avocado and fresh raspberries, and Cinnamon-Spiced Banana Cake with lime and apricot cream. YUM!
And of course, a high tea just isn’t a high tea without Scones. We’re talking Classic Scones and Cranberry Scones and just give us ALL THE SCONES! Pair them with your choice of Tea Forté teas including English Breakfast, Orchid Vanilla, African Solstice, Chamomile Citron Green Mango Peach and White Ginger Pear, all presented with iconic Tea Forté flair.
So, stop pro-caffeine-ating and check out this high-roller High Tea Immersion before it’s scone….
For bookings, click here or phone (07) 5530 1234. The High Tea Immersion is $57 per person (without champagne), but you can upgrade to Bottomless Rosé (2 Hours) for $13 per person or upgrade to a Glass of Champagne for $17 per person!
Where: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Sanctuary Cove, Manor Circle, Hope Island
When: 1pm – 4pm Saturdays & Sundays
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY INTERCONTINENTAL SANCTUARY COVE RESORT
