Hey Reader
Last week, I made the classic mistake of booking three activities in one weekend. By 2pm on Saturday everyone was cranky, someone was crying (might have been me), and we ended up at McDonald's because I hadn't planned properly.
So here are some quick do's and don'ts for actually enjoying your weekends:
Do pick one main activity per day with buffer time for meltdowns and ice cream breaks. Don't try to cram multiple events into one day.
Do check opening hours and book ahead—November weekends get busy. Don't assume you can just rock up without checking first.
Do have a backup indoor plan because November weather is unpredictable. Don't put all your eggs in one weather-dependent basket.
Speaking of planning ahead, this week's edition is packed with Christmas events, holiday markets, and the best advent calendars to help you get organised early for the festive season.
Hope this helps! Hit reply if you need any suggestions.
Joyce xx
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- Basketball Shooting Clinic (Saturday 8 November) Former Basketball Australia Coach brings a three-hour shooting clinic to the Bellarine, teaching kids 13 and under everything from set shots to finishing techniques.
- Crafters & Creators Market (Saturday 8 November) Browse handmade toys, jewellery, Christmas decorations and more at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie's first artisan market set in their stunning gardens.
- Archibald Prize 2025 (Daily until Sunday 9 November) Final weekend to view Australia's most prestigious portrait prize at Geelong Gallery before it closes.
- Who's Who Portrait Exhibition (Daily until Sunday 9 November) Last chance to see local students' portraits celebrating regional identities at Geelong Gallery, inspired by Geelong-born Jules Francois Archibald.
- Run4Geelong (Sunday 9 November) Run, jog or walk along Geelong's waterfront to support Barwon Health, with distances for all abilities plus a 1km Kids Dash for under 12s.
- Junior Chocolatier Class (Sunday 9 November) Kids aged 6-12 can create their own chocolate treats in this 45-minute hands-on class.
- Keele Laager 2025 (Friday 14 November - Sunday 16 November) An Estonian cultural camp at Anglesea with beach walks, bonfires, crafts and songs—all families welcome regardless of language skills, and kids attend free.
- Mother Goose Baby Song and Rhyme (Tuesdays during school term) Free drop-in sessions in Torquay for parents and bubs under 12 months, featuring songs, rhymes and stories to strengthen bonding and early language skills.
- After Walter Hopps (Mondays - Saturdays) An experimental open-call exhibition at Platform Arts where the community has filled the gallery floor to ceiling with their creative works.
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Grab your picnic rug and head to Johnstone Park for Geelong's beloved free carols night.
Pack a picnic or grab something tasty from the food trucks, then settle in for an evening of festive tunes and community spirit in the heart of the city. It's been going strong for 62 years for good reason—this is the Christmas tradition that brings everyone together.
📍 Johnstone Park, Geelong
📅 Tuesday 23 December
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Forget boring chocolate squares—today's advent calendars are next level.
From toy-filled surprises for the kids to wine and cheese options for the grown-ups, we've rounded up 31 of the best advent calendars to make your December countdown as exciting as Christmas morning itself. Find the perfect calendar for every family member (yes, even the dog).
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PARTNER CONTENT
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations in Geelong. Best of all, they're only 60 minutes - so perfect for kids!
From Coldplay, Fleetwood Mac, Queen and Bridgerton - there's a concert that's bound to delight.
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Knock out all your Christmas shopping in one swoop at Geelong's biggest indoor market of the year.
With 90+ stalls of handcrafted jewellery, kids' clothing, homewares and gourmet goodies, you'll find presents for everyone—and there's coffee, bubbles and food trucks to keep you fuelled. Free entry, free parking, and rain or shine you're sorted.
📍 Deakin Waterfront Campus, Geelong
📅 Saturday 14 December
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Direct from Off-Broadway comes a holiday spectacular packed with electrifying Irish dance, traditional music, and plenty of Christmas spirit.
Featuring World Irish dance champions and performers from the biggest shows in Irish entertainment, this is one festive night out that delivers on every level—humour, heart, and seriously impressive talent.
📍 The Play House, Geelong Arts Centre
📅 Thursday 18 December
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