Christmas Actually – December 14–17
Every Christmas, we switch on the tele to stream our favourite holiday film, Love Actually. The heartwarming stories and cheerful songs just have a way of getting us in the Christmas spirit. Sharing that same merry mood-lifting effect is Christmas Actually, a stage-show spectacular that presents the music of Love Actually live on stage. Taking place at Fortitude Music Hall from Wednesday December 14 to Saturday December 17, the festive showcase will see Queensland’s first couple of song and stage, Naomi Price and Luke Kennedy, acclaimed pop-opera star Irena Lysiuk and show-stopping first lobster Tom Oliver sing their hearts out to some of our favourite festive tunes. The show will feature cracker hits from artists including Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Eva Cassidy, The Beach Boys and The Beatles. And yes, you will be able to sing along to that Mariah Carey banger. To grab your tickets to this festive outing, head to the Ticketmaster website. Whatever you do, just don’t ask for it gift wrapped.

Christmas Putt Putt – November 11 to January 3
Before long the holidays will be in full swing and you know what that means … Christmas Putt Putt makes its long-awaited return to the Victoria Park greens! Aim for a ho, ho, hole in one as you putt through the festive fairways decked out with bells, bows and bright twinkling lights. The best part? The putt putt course is fully licensed, and you can order drinks and snacks as you play via the QR codes located at each hole. You’ll love this course from head to mistle-toe! Book your tickets at the Try Booking website.

The Christmas Boat Parade – Sunday December 18
The Brisbane River will light up brighter than a Christmas tree on Sunday December 18 when a parade of festively decorated boats take to the waters near Northshore Brisbane. The inaugural Christmas Boat Parade is the perfect way to welcome the holiday season, with commercial boats of all shapes and sizes festooned in jolly lighting and decorations as they float and flow to a soundtrack of Christmas classics. While all that is happening on the water, dry land will become an entertainment hub of roving performance artists, live music, photo opportunities with Santa, costume competitions, circus workshops, themed bars, and much more. With activities kicking off from 4:00 pm, revellers can stop in at party hubs at Portside Wharf, Eat Street, Hamilton Reach and Maritime Green at Northshore Brisbane. Those looking for a more relaxed atmos to take in the show can bring a picnic and perch at some of the general seating areas stretching from the Riverwalk near the Northshore Tennis Courts to further upstream at Brett’s Wharf. Eager mariners wanting to truly immerse themselves on the high seas (cough, Brown Snake) can book a spot on one of the parade’s party boats, where the evening is guaranteed to be nothing short of gleeful.

Moonlight Cinema – November 24 to February 19
Picturesque parklands, flavoursome food and fantastic flicks – this is just a taste of what you get at Moonlight Cinema, our favourite alfresco movie-watching experience. This summer, Moonlight Cinema is returning to showcase some of this year’s biggest blockbusters, hottest new releases and certified cult classics in Roma Street Parkland. The starlit cinema is also helping movie lovers get in their Christmas spirit with festive favourites like The Holiday, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Love Actually, Elf, Die Hard and Home Alone. As a BYO food and drink cinema (no BYO booze though, cheeky!), Moonlight Cinema gives you the freedom to create your perfect outdoor cinema experience. Prepare a picnic of charcuterie or feast on your favourite sweet and salty snacks like Maltesers and popcorn – the ultimate combo, in our humble opinion. Unable to assemble the banquet of your dreams? Don’t fret, Moonlight Cinema has a licensed bar and a tantalising selection of hot food and snacks. Head to the Moonlight Cinema website to peep the full program and to buy tickets.

The Enchanted Garden – November 25 to December 21
Forget the half-hearted Christmas lights in the suburbs and head to Roma Street Parkland as that’s where beloved lights display The Enchanted Garden will be returning for an extended run to illuminate the night from November 25 to December 21. The eye-catching trail, which is inspired by the Eastern Water Dragons of Roma Street Parkland, will encompass the four key elements of the parkland – water, trees, rocks and flowers – in a 30-minute journey that’s set to mesmerise the senses. Park venturers can expect to be met with more than 22,000-sqm of custom-made lighting alongside audio, special effects, light sculptures, and newly developed interactive projections and holograms. If walking around the parkland has your tummy grumbling, you’ll be happy to learn that a sizzling selection of food trucks will be on offer from 4:00–9:30 pm daily. Entry is $7 per person and is available every 15 minutes from 6:30 pm (the first dusk sessions are recommended for young children), with last entries at 9:00 pm. For more information and to snag tickets, head to The Enchanted Garden website.

This article was written by Sara Weckerle from The Weekend Edition.