Christmas Magic on Glenferrie
When: 10 December 2021
Where: Beswicke Square
Boroondara’s hallmark Christmas event, Christmas Magic on Glenferrie, returns to the heart of Hawthorn in December, with free activities for the whole family. Join us at Beswicke Square next to the Hawthorn Arts for live music, neon art installations by Carla O’Brien, the lighting of the Christmas tree, exhibitions in Town Hall Gallery, along with pizza and gelato.
Visit our Christmas in Boroondara page to find out more.
The Joy of Christmas
When: 3 December 2021
Where: Hawthorn Arts Centre
Join us for an evening of inspiration and music with The Joy of Christmas, featuring David Hobson and fellow Boroondara local Karen Van Spall showcasing Christmas favourites.
Firebird Trio - A Paris Salon
When: 9 December 2021
Where: Hawthorn Arts Centre
Firebird Trio return to Hawthorn Arts Centre with a distinctly French flavour presenting a program of joyous French chamber music. Featuring works by Ravel, Debussy and Satie, the evening of beautiful music will be complemented by the magnificent Second Empire-style Main Hall, filled with Paris-style cafe tables.
Inventi Sunday Classics - Christmas edition
When: 5 December 2021
Where: Hawthorn Arts Centre
Inventi Ensemble ring in the festive season with a suite of classical Christmas favourites, including excerpts from Sibelius’ Karelia Suite, alongside more familiar Christmas carols.
Street Sounds
When: Until late February
Where: various locations
Our local shopping precincts have come alive with the return of Street Sounds, creating a vibrant backdrop as you shop, dine and explore. Enjoy free public programming including live music and street performances. The line-up has something for everyone, including children’s entertainment, and will continue until the end of February.
Visit our Street Sounds page to find out more.
Dressing up for the festive season
Festive decorations have been installed across Boroondara’s 53 shopping strips, including wreaths adorned with baubles and bows, as well as messages of love, peace, hope and joy. Look out for light displays at Camberwell Town Hall, Hawthorn Town Hall and Kew Courthouse, and giant Christmas trees outside Camberwell Library and in Beswicke Square.
Christmas Carols
Each year, Council provides funding and support to community groups to help bring Christmas carols to life across Boroondara. This year, you can enjoy carols across several weekends and locations.
Visit our Christmas in Boroondara page for more information.
Boroondara’s Gift Giving Program
If you’d like to take part in our Christmas Gift Giving Program, visit one of Boroondara’s six libraries, collect and complete a gift tag from the Christmas tree, and leave your gift at the library service desk or with library staff. All donated gifts will be given to vulnerable children in our municipality through the Craig Family Centre.
Visit our Gift Giving Program page to find out more.
Last Days of Summer
When: 20 January 2021
Where: Hawthorn Arts Centre
Council is celebrating the final days of the summer holidays with a free fun-filled day for the family. There will be hands-on games and activities, including photography workshops and chalk-art activities, NGV Kids on Tour activities and Kids’ Art Tours in the Town Hall Gallery, Mario Kart and table tennis tournaments, an interactive scavenger hunt and roving performances with Calligraphy Circus.
Bookings will open on 10 January and registrations are essential.
For more information about this and other school holidays programs at Kew Traffic School, the Youth Hub and our leisure centres and pools, visit our School holiday activities page.
Summer in the Park
When: Throughout February and March
Where: various locations
Celebrate the return of the arts in Boroondara with this year’s COVID-safe Summer in the Park series filling our stunning green spaces with music, cinema, theatre and circus. Headline events include Cinema in the Park at Riverside Park in Camberwell, Jazz in the Park at St James Park in Hawthorn, Family Fun in the Park and Opera in the Park at Canterbury Gardens in Canterbury, and Theatre in the Park (theatre events are free but ticketed) at Summerhill Park in Ashburton. Families can also enjoy Micro Circus in the Park in each ward across Boroondara, so kids can watch circus performers as they play in the summer sunshine.
For more information and to sign up for notifications about ticket bookings for Theatre in the Park, visit our Summer in the Park page.
APOMAWISH
When: Until 19 February
Where: Hawthorn Arts Centre
APOMAWISH is a collaborative art project designed by artist Rachel Burke and brought to life by the community through their creation of hundreds of pompoms paired with heartfelt and sincere wishes. All wishes, both on display and the silent ones, are a reflection of the community’s desire for a future full of happiness, light and joy.
APOMAWISH is on display at Hawthorn Arts Centre until 19 February. Come and wander through the installation and contribute a pompom and a wish of your own, to be displayed and celebrated along with the many others for all to enjoy. This project formed part of our 2021 Craft Contemporary program, proudly hosted by Boroondara Arts.
Visit our Craft Contemporary page to find out more.
Exhibitions
When: Various dates
Location: Town Hall Gallery and Hawthorn Arts Centre
Our exhibition spaces are welcoming back art lovers and there is a wealth of beautiful work to enjoy. Visit before 11 December to see current exhibitions Out Back by Lyn Guy, Working Under the Shadow of Happiness, and Shelter in Place.
Explore our enduring love affair with summer from 14 December with the exhibition Local Summer, featuring selected works from the Town Hall Gallery Collection that celebrate Australian sunshine and carefree days. Check out community exhibition Portraiture in Black and White from 18 January, or our major group exhibition Material Reverie from 20 January, exploring the rich variety of materials used by contemporary Australian artists.
Visit our Exhibitions and visual arts page to learn what exhibitions are on now.