No matter whether you're spending time with family or your holiday plans have been scrapped thanks to that pesky volcano in Bali, Perth is the place to be during the Christmas season. With a multitude of incredible events on offer, there’s no reason to go anywhere else. Check out our handy guide to the perfect Perth Christmas staycation.
Saturday 23 December
What better way to spend a Saturday than meandering round the vibrant cultural hub that is Fremantle. Drop in to Fremantle Arts Centre and meander around their current exhibition, In Cahoots. If one exhibition isn't enough (let's face it, it never is), hit up the epic Escape from Pompeii at the WA Maritime Museum. Make a day of it and grab a coffee on Cappuccino Strip or some pizza and beer at Little Creatures.
Sunday 24 December (Christmas Eve)
Make a new Christmas tradition and get the family together at one of the festive outdoor movies showing this Christmas Eve. Try <a href=""https://scoop.com.au/perth-wa/guides/arts-events/western-australia/events/listing/The-Man-Who-Invented-Christmas-Murdoch-Outdoor-Cinema/">The Man Who Invented Christmas at Murdoch Community Cinema, a classic-in-the-making starring Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) as renowned writer Charles Dickens struggling to write his iconic tale, A Christmas Carol. If classic cinema is more your thing, head to the James Street Amphitheatre for a free screening of White Christmas under the city lights.
Monday 25 December (Christmas Day)
Be sure to hit one of Perth’s beautiful beaches or parks for a morning walk before Christmas lunch. But if all those cocktails and arguments with the fam get too much, you can always escape to Perth Cultural Centre and catch It’s A Wonderful Life on the big screen at 7:35pm.
Tuesday 26 December (Boxing Day)
Catch some local sporting action as the Perth Scorchers take on the Melbourne Stars in two games at the WACA. If music is more your thing, get up and out to Breakfest 2017 a one-day music festival at the Belvoir Amphitheatre.
Wednesday 27 December
Make the most of the great outdoors enjoy some beach fun at Splash Island at Sorrento Quay Boardwalk, a pop-up amusement park for kids age 2-12. For more family-friendly water adventures, head out on one of the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation Tall Ship Sails and get a real taste of history as you experience sailing on an 1850’s style barquentine ship.
Thursday 28 December
Christmas can be a pretty hectic time, so hit the beach and relax while summer weather is still here. Scarborough is a top spot for beach fun, and once you've finished chilling on the sand, you can head to the along to the awesome Scarborough Sunset Markets to see the best local produce and crafts. Grab some dinner and drinks from one of the food stalls and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Friday 29 December
Spend the day in the CBD and unleash your artistic side by exploring PICA’s current exhibitions I Don’t Want to Be Here When It Happens and Remedial Works. Grab a coffee at the café and soak up some of that summer Perth sun in the heart of the city's Cultural Centre. If you’re still around in the evening, the Classic Cinema Club is showing an open-air Hitchcock double of Vertigo then Marnie at the James Street Amphitheatre.
Saturday 30 December
Forget Wimbledon, the only summer tennis tournament you need to care about is the Mastercard Hopman Cup 2018, and it’s coming to Perth! Grab tickets for the opening games and see the likes of Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic battle it out on court.
Sunday 31 December (New Year's Eve)
Who needs NYC when you’ve got over 45 incredible New Year events to choose from in Perth? From fireworks on Rotto to Hollywood glamour in Fremantle, you can check them all out in our New Years Eve guide on scoop.com.au. Sign up to our newsletters too for the full lowdown on the top NYE events in Perth, coming to your inbox next Tuesday (19 Dec).