What's on this summer: December 18, 2020-January 14, 2021
Your complete guide to Christmas celebrations, New Year's Eve, the Murray River Splash festival and much more.
New Year’s Eve will again be a major event in Murray Bridge as 2020 comes to a close.
The city’s council will put on a fireworks display, live music and kids’ activities, while food trucks, Murray Bridge Club and Riverscape Food and Wine will fill people’s stomachs.
A Kidzone will offer a preview of the Murray River Splash festival which will continue throughout January, with a rock climbing wall, giant hamster balls, laser tag, inflatable water slide, mini golf, bouncy castle, bungy trampoline and roving performers.
Acoustic musician Hannah Smith, pop rock band Chasing Lights and members of new group Cabaret Collective – locals all – will provide a soundtrack to the evening.
Like at last year’s inaugural event, fireworks will be launched off the old road bridge at 9.45pm.
Mayor Brenton Lewis said locals deserved a night to relax and reconnect after a difficult year.
“We look forward to local families making the most of the activities on the foreshore and enjoying the spectacular fireworks display,” he said.
“Fireworks from the bridge last year were amazing and well received by the community, so this year we have a little something extra we know residents will love.”
Anyone who wants to attend the event will need to register online ahead of time at  www.eventbrite.com.au.
A QR code check-in point will be available on the gate, sanitiser stations will be provided, COVID marshals will be on patrol and family groups will be asked to stay together to reduce risk in the event of any coronavirus outbreak.
Attendees should also note that Sturt Reserve will remain a dry zone throughout the event.
The Murray River Splash festival will then continue on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout January, at least when the weather forecast is for less than 38 degrees – see below.
Friday, December 18
Interactive Santa experience: 12pm-2pm December 18-19 at Murray Bridge Marketplace. Visit a Christmas grotto for a live one-on-one video chat with Santa and a small gift. Bookings essential: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Lifehouse Christmas Festival: 6.30-8.30pm at Lifehouse Church, Murray Bridge. Drama and carols followed by a street party with food, lawn games, bouncy castle and wonderland. Registration a must: $5 at lhi.churchcenter.com.
Saturday, December 19
Lifehouse Christmas Festival: 12-2pm and 6.30-8.30pm at Lifehouse Church, Murray Bridge. Drama and carols followed by a street party with food, lawn games, bouncy castle and wonderland. Registration a must: $5 at lhi.churchcenter.com.
Family fun Christmas: 5-8pm at Karoonda. Family fun, see the arrival of COVID-safe Father Christmas, barbecue, soft drinks. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Christmas by Cabaret: 7-10.30pm at Green Wall Studio, 24 Joseph Street, Murray Bridge. Enjoy your favourite Christmas classics with local performers, doors open 6.15pm, licensed event, Christmas slushies, Heavenly Hotdogs catering, prizes for best face mask.
Sunday, December 20
Mick Kidd and Timmy: 2-6pm at the Wellington Hotel. Live music.
Christmas Eve
Christmas celebration: 5.30 for 6pm at Callington Recreation Park. Nativity presentation with carols, children welcome to come dressed as angels or shepherds and join in, presented by Callington and Salem Lutheran Churches.
Christmas Day
Combined Christian churches Christmas lunch: CANCELLED.
Boxing Day
Demolition derby: From 6pm at Murray Bridge Speedway. Also modlites, wingless sprints, late models and junior sedans. Tickets: $27/17/6.50 at tickets.speedwaytickets.com.au.
Stray Dogs: 7-11pm at the Wellington Hotel. Live music.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve celebrations: 5-10pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Food trucks; live music by Cabaret Collective members, Chasing Lights and Hannah Smith; Kidzone featuring rock climbing wall, giant hamster balls, laser tag, inflatable water slide, mini golf, bouncy castle, bungy trampoline and roving performers; fireworks display off the old road bridge at 9.45pm. Registration required: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Cry Wolf: 8pm-12am at the Wellington Hotel. Live music.
New Year’s Day
Water Wars: 10am-4pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Let the kids run riot armed with water pistols, water bombs, slip-n-slides, games and water sport challenges. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Bubble Entertainer: 11am-3pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. See the giant bubble maker and join in the fun. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
New Year’s Day races: 11.30am-5pm at Murray Bridge Racing Club. Admission: From $21.93 at moshtix.com.au.
Saturday, January 2
Water Wars: 10am-4pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Let the kids run riot armed with water pistols, water bombs, slip-n-slides, games and water sport challenges. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Bubble Entertainer: 11am-3pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. See the giant bubble maker and join in the fun. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Sprintcars SA Speedweek night four: At Murray Bridge Speedway. Details TBA. Tickets: www.speedwaytickets.com.au.
Sunday, January 3
Mannum Riverside Markets: 9am-2.30pm at Arnold Park. Stalls, local produce, food and drinks by the river.
Water Wars: 10am-4pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Let the kids run riot armed with water pistols, water bombs, slip-n-slides, games and water sport challenges. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Bubble Entertainer: 11am-3pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. See the giant bubble maker and join in the fun. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Mamma Mia information night: 7pm at Murray Bridge Players and Singers, 9 Short Street. For the upcoming local production of the ABBA-themed musical, directed by Robyn Bates, performances in May 2021. More information to come: www.facebook.com/MBPSInc.
Tuesday, January 5
Learn to code with Lego Boost: FULL.
Thursday, January 7
Eco Maze: 10am-3.30pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. A guided environmental education experience about the importance of ecosystems and interaction with nature in three inflated domes. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Circus School: 10am-4pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Learn juggling, using a diabolo poi, staff twirling, tightrope, rola bola, skipping, stick balance, hand-held stilts and creating a human pyramid. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
The Well: A Story Well Told: 10.30am-1.45pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Discover how SA Water keep our sewers healthy and our waterways clean and make poo slime. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Friday, January 8
Nylon Zoo: 10am-2.45pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Fly like a bird, flutter by like a butterfly, swoop like a bat, hop like a frogtwirl in a rainbow cape, bobble like a mushroom or chill like a koala in handmade costumes. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
The Well: A Story Well Told: 10.30am-1.45pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Discover how SA Water keep our sewers healthy and our waterways clean and make poo slime. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Lego animation creation: 1-4pm at Murray Bridge Library. With Gooroo Animation, recommended for ages 6-12, limited spaces. Book: Call 8539 1175 or visit onecard.network.
Saturday, January 9
Come and Try Dragon Boat: 10am-12.45pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. A fantastic team sport for all abilities and fitness levels. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Summer holiday races: 10.30am-5pm at Murray Bridge Racing Club. Admission: From $21.93 at moshtix.com.au.
Sunday, January 10
Come and Try Kayaking: 10am-4pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Fun paddling session with a Paddle SA instructor, suitable for people of all ages and paddling ability, equipment provided. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Kite-making workshops: 10.30am and 12.30pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Build your own kite. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Monday, January 11
Creative kids craft with Josie: 3-4pm at Murray Bridge Library. Recommended for ages 5-12, limited spaces. Book: Call 8539 1175 or visit onecard.network.
Thursday, January 14
Clown workshops: 10am-1pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Arts in the park: 10am-3.30pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Wire figure and fish hat workshops with Tony Hannan. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Laser tag: 10am-3.40pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Teams of children are pitted against each other in a battle of wits, reflexes and accuracy. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Giant hamster ball: 10am-3.45pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Children can walk, crawl or run inside the giant hamster ball, travelling 15 metres up, then back. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Bubble City: 10am-4pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. A safe crawl/walk/explore experience for young children in three pods with swirling streamers and balloons. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
The Well: A Story Well Told: 10.30am-1.45pm at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Discover how SA Water keep our sewers healthy and our waterways clean and make poo slime. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Our river and environment: 11-11.45am at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Learn about how the river, trees, plants and bugs work together to make an ecosystem, with activity sheets, colouring-in and a plant to take home. Register: www.eventbrite.com.au.
Have we missed anything?
Let Murray Bridge News know about an upcoming event by emailing murraybridgenews@gmail.com.
Events will typically be listed if they are free to attend, raising funds for a charitable cause, occupying a public place, or if the organisers have advertised with Murray Bridge News.
For-profit events may be listed at Murray Bridge News’ discretion.
Event listings are sourced from local councils, Facebook, Ticketbooth, tourist attractions’ websites and other sources.
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