Things to do in Murray Bridge: December 20, 2024-January 9, 2025

It's almost time to say goodbye to another year.

No, we don't know where it went either.

There's plenty to keep us busy over the break and lots of people will be pleased to see some actual fireworks back in Murray Bridge.

The return of the council's New Year's Eve celebration, taking place from 6pm at Sturt Reserve, will be welcomed by many.

Food trucks, live music and the bridge lighting will all happen before the 9pm light show.

It will be a magical night for families and friends to celebrate and and for the community to come together to farewell 2024.

If you want to stay up a bit later for more fireworks, head to Mannum's Mary Ann Reserve as they go off with a bang at 11.59pm.

If you'd prefer something a little quieter or more contemplative, Murray Bridge Regional Gallery will be open between Christmas and New Year with exhibitions featuring beautiful works by local makers.

It's a great place to take visitors, too.

This weekly feature is brought to you by Spry Holdings – supporting locals is our priority.

Friday, December 20 🌬️ 31°

Santa at Bunnings: 2-2.20pm and 2.40-3pm at Bunnings Murray Bridge. Bring the family along to take a free photo with Santa! Please note this is a festive set-up to take your own photos with Santa – there will not be a professional photographer or photo printing on site. This session is not for pets. Bookings essential: www.bunnings.com.au.

Paws with Claus: 2.30-4.30pm at Murray Bridge Marketplace. Bring your furry friends along for a Santa photo with the whole family. Owners must bring waste disposal bags for their pet's use if required. If your pet exhibits aggressive behaviour, we will ask you to leave the centre. Pets must be on lead or in a cage at all times. Sessions start from $20. Bookings essential: events.humanitix.com.

Santa at Bunnings for Pets: 4-4.20pm and 4.40-5pm at Bunnings Murray Bridge. Bring your beloved pet along to join your family and take a free photo with Santa. Owners must follow the store's pet policy and remain in control of their pets at all times. There will be a pet bed for your dog to sit next to Santa. Santa may not be comfortable patting your pet. This session is specifically for pets to be involved in Santa photos. Bookings essential: www.bunnings.com.au.

Saturday, December 21 🌬️ 26°

Off-street drags: From 9am at the Dragway at the Bend, Tailem Bend. Come and see some of SA's quickest and fastest street registered cars and bikes. All makes and models, modern and classic. Tickets $12, kids 15 and under, free from www.outix.co.

Kids DIY – Festive Treat tray: 10am-12pm and 1-2pm at Bunnings Murray Bridge. Join us for this fun kids DIY workshop. Using a wooden placemat, coloured markers and paint, you can create a festive treat tray for Santa. Perfect for kids of all ages – no experience needed. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times. Bookings essential: www.bunnings.com.au.

School's out, pool's in: From 11am at Murray Bridge Swimming Centre. Dive into the fun with inflatable donuts and toys, groove to the music, savour a sizzling sausage from the barbecue and soak up the sunny vibes for an unforgettable day out. Plus, don’t miss your chance to win exciting raffle prizes.

Horse racing: From 11am at Murray Bridge Racing Club. GA tickets start from $22 at www.moshtix.com.au.

Paws with Claus: 2.30-4.30pm at Murray Bridge Marketplace. Bring your furry friends along for a Santa photo with the whole family. Owners must bring waste disposal bags for their pet's use if required. If your pet exhibits aggressive behaviour, we will ask you to leave the centre. Pets must be on lead or in a cage at all times. Sessions start from $20. Bookings essential: events.humanitix.com.

Festival '24: 5-10pm at Lifehouse Church, Murray Bridge. Celebrate Christmas with this annual Christmas festival event. There will be dramas, carols, food stalls, games, a jumping castle, a snow tent, activities and so much more. More information: festival.life.house.

Roll Racing: Gates from 5pm, racing from 6.30pm at the Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend. Open to all types of vehicles from domestics, imports and super cars all battling it out under lights to see who really has a fast car. Tickets: $20 from www.rollracing.com.au or at the gate.

Mypolonga Cricket Club Christmas dinner: 6pm at the Mypolonga Combined Sports Club. Light tea options available including steaks, schnitzels, salad bar and dessert. All welcome.

Sunday, December 22 🌬️ 27°

Sensitive Santa visit: 9.30-10.30am at Murray Bridge Marketplace. Sensitive Santa sessions are free and give families with special needs children the opportunity to visit Santa in a low-stress environment, before our general trading commences. These 10-minute visits are free of charge with a complimentary 5x7 photo. All children visiting Santa will receive a small gift to take home. Bookings essential: events.humanitix.com.

Kids DIY – Festive Treat tray: 10am-12pm and 1-2pm at Bunnings Murray Bridge. Join us for this fun kids DIY workshop. Using a wooden placemat, coloured markers and paint, you can create a festive treat tray for Santa. Perfect for kids of all ages – no experience needed. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times. Bookings essential: www.bunnings.com.au.

Heartland: 11am-4pm at the Imperial Football Club, Murray Bridge. Murray Bridge Country Music Club members $10, visitors $12. Lunch available, trading table. Bookings not required. More information: call Christine on 0428 298 894.

Wynarka Christmas tree and community gathering: 5-7pm at Wynarka Football Club. Gather up the kids and come along and celebrate Christmas with all the locals at the Wynarka Christmas tree! Please bring a picnic to share with your family and BYO drinks. Father Christmas will be in attendance.

Monday, December 23 🌬️ 24°

Kayaking holiday fun: 9-11am and 11.30am-1pm at Avoca Dell wetlands, Murray Bridge. Free activity with sit-on-top kayaks. All gear supplied. Please wear closed-in shoes and be sun smart. Free for families with kids under 12. Bookings essential: Call Lyall on 0437 389 997.

Funeral service for Dino Victor Cazzolato: 10.30am at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Murray Bridge.

Monteith Hall annual Christmas dinner: 6pm at Monteith Hall. Barbecue meats and salads for dinner, raffle with amazing prizes and a very special guest. Cost: $20 adults, $10 children.

Christmas Eve 🌞 29°

Christmas Eve celebration: 6pm at Murray Bridge Hotel. Celebrate the season at the Murray Bridge Hotel with DJ Kirby and Christmas-themed fun. All welcome.

Christmas Day 🌞 38°

Christmas lunch: 12pm for 12.30 at Murray Bridge Uniting Church. If you are on your own and would like to celebrate with others, come and find the heart of Christmas in community. Presented by the combined Christian churches. More information: 8532 5150 or 8531 1699.

Boxing Day 🌦️ 35°

Sprintcar Speedweek, round one: Gates 4pm, racing 6pm at Murray Bridge Speedway. Head along for the best racing action in town featuring sprintcars and modlites. Absolutely no dogs on site. Adults $42.30, students $27, kids 12 and under free at tickets.speedwaytickets.com.au.

Friday, December 27 🌧️ 27°

Funeral service for Ruth Laurel Frazer: 10am at Murray Bridge Uniting Church.

Adult DIY – garden corner: 10-11am at Bunnings Murray Bridge. A workshop for all things gardening, indoor plants and more. Have fun learning from our expert horticulturalists. They'll be on hand to give you some great advice from choosing the right soil through to how to keep your plants healthy all year round. Suitable for ages 16-plus. Bookings essential: www.bunnings.com.au.

Sturt 100: 5pm-midnight at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Unofficial cycling race by Murraylands Multisports; riders will lap the reserve until they hit 100 or turn into pumpkins at midnight.

Saturday, December 28 🌦️ 25°

Know of anything happening today? Email peri@murraybridge.news.

Sunday, December 29

Cars and Coffee: 8.30am at Arnold Park, Mannum. Family friendly, all vehicles and bikes welcome. Last Sunday of the month. More information: Call Peter on 0427 818 030.

Monday, December 30

Funeral service for Richard 'John' Cowland: 10.30am at the Minge Chapel, Murray Bridge.

New Year's Eve

Murray Bridge NYE celebration and fireworks: From 6pm at Wharf Hill and Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. Featuring a magical night for families and friends to celebrate the start of the new year and enjoy a spectacular show of fireworks over the river. Food trucks and music from 6pm; bridge lighting from 7pm and fireworks from 9pm.

Pretoria Hotel NYE: Food available from 5.30pm, live music by Midnight Radio from 9.30pm, fireworks from 11.59pm (weather permitting). Spend your evening riverside at the Pretoria for a New Year’s Eve party you won’t forget. Bookings essential: 8569 1109.

Mannum NYE celebration and fireworks: 11.30pm-12.30am at Mary Ann Reserve, Mannum. Fireworks begin at 11.50pm and conclude at 12.19am. Join us to ring in the New Year with a bang – it’s a celebration you won’t want to miss.

New Year's Day

Horse racing: Gates from 11am at Murray Bridge Racing Club. GA tickets start from $22 at www.moshtix.com.au.

Thursday, January 2

Know of anything happening today? Email peri@murraybridge.news.

Friday, January 3

Know of anything happening today? Email peri@murraybridge.news.

Saturday, January 4

Know of anything happening today? Email peri@murraybridge.news.

Sunday, January 5

Cars and Coffee Murray Bridge: 8.30-10.30am at the Wharf Precinct car park, Murray Bridge. Family friendly event for car enthusiasts of all ages.
Coffee and food van on site. Regularly attracts around 200 cars, plenty of spectator parking. January event will feature American-style boots and utes. All welcome. More information: 0415 790 260.

Mannum Markets: 9am-2pm at Arnold Park. A fun-filled day of shopping for unique gifts, enjoying delicious local goodies, and a great cup of coffee. Whether you're a local or just visiting, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss out on the community spirit and good vibes on the first Sunday of the month. More information: 8569 1303.

Monday, January 6

Know of anything happening today? Email peri@murraybridge.news.

Tuesday, January 7

Toonworld model making: 9.45am and 1pm at Murray Bridge Library. Michelangelo’s David wasn’t built in a day, but with Toonworld’s new hands-on model-making workshop, children can quickly create dinosaurs and mythical creatures that will captivate them for hours. For ages 5-8.

Coffee with a Cop: 10.30am at Murray Bridge Marketplace. Enjoy a free tea, coffee or hot chocolate with officers from SA Police's Murray Bridge station and water operations unit.

January 8

Embrace Kids: 1-4pm at Tailem Bend Town Hall. Free community screening of a film which inspires youth to accept who they are by taking positive steps around body image. Book: www.trybooking.com/CXYCJ.

Our place in the galaxy: 3-4.30pm at Murray Bridge Library. Learn all about the solar system and the Milky Way, for children aged 5-12. Book: 8539 1175.

Thursday, January 9

Know of anything happening today? Email peri@murraybridge.news.

Let Murray Bridge News know about an upcoming event or express an interest in sponsoring this feature by emailing jane@murraybridge.news. Events may be listed at Murray Bridge News’ discretion.