Things to do in Murray Bridge: December 13-19, 2024

It's Tailem's turn to host an annual Christmas parade this Saturday on Railway Terrace.

From 4.30pm there will be food galore, music for all ages, market stalls to buy last minute presents and even two face painters for those wanting a change to your look.

Santa will not only be joining the Tailem parade drom 6pm, he'll be making the trip to Murray Bridge Marketplace earlier on Saturday, too.

Grab a photo with the kids or even the pets if they made the nice list.

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Friday 13th 🌤️ 27°

Funeral Service - Patricia Ann Warburton: 2pm at Minge Chapel

Nightmare at the Bend (Day 1): From 4pm at Dragway at the Bend, Dukes Highway, Tailem Bend. If you want to see the fastest most extreme get it down on a Radial tire over the 1/8th mile, then this is it. Witness Australia’s fastest street cars put on show.Bring the family and all your mates to witness history go down at The Bend.

Bowhill Community Christmas: 4.30pm - 9.30pm at Bowhill Community Centre, 88 Weber Road, Bowhill. Celebrating Christmas and Community, the Bowhill Progress Association & Bowhill SA Community raffle are hosting a Christmas dinner. All welcome. Tickets selling quickly, bookings essential. $11.90 per person from www.eventbrite.com.au.

Christmas karaoke: 6-10pm at Murray Bridge Players and Singers, 9 Short Street. Alcohol-free event, all ages welcome. Entry: $5.

Saturday 14th ⛅ 35°

Garage sale: From 8am at the Murraylands Community Men's Shed, Murray Bridge East. Power tools, household goods, antique bedside tables, spanners, sockets, paint, nails, heavy duty welder and various other items, too many to list; look for the white gates.

Nightmare at the Bend (Day 2): From 10am at Dragway at the Bend, Dukes Highway, Tailem Bend. If you want to see the fastest most extreme get it down on a Radial tire over the 1/8th mile, then this is it. Witness Australia’s fastest street cars put on show.Bring the family and all your mates to witness history go down at The Bend.

Hooves and Horns Safari Adventure: 9.30am - 5pm until January 26th at Monarto Safari Park, Monarto. Get ready, explorers! Grab your binoculars and set off on a treasure hunt around the largest safari park outside of Africa these school holidays. Follow the clues carefully to find all five hidden treasures as you travel through herds of giraffe and hooftstock, a pride of growling lions, stomp along to the rhinos and swing past the Chimpanzees. Usual park entrance fees apply. Pre-booking is now required for all non-members - www.monartosafari.com.au

Kids DIY - Clay Ornament: 10am - 12noon AND 1pm - 2pm at Bunnings, Maurice Road, Murray Bridge.  Using clay and your imagination, you can create your very own clay ornament for the festive season. Perfect for kids of all ages - no experience needed. Kids must be accompanied by parent/guardian. Bookings - www.bunnings.com.au

Santa Arrival Day: 10am - 2.00pm at Murray Bridge Marketplace. He'll arrive at the Platypus Shoes Entrance at 10am, making his way to his throne for Santa photos. Photos available from 10.15am, no bookings needed. Our Elves are creating some Christmas magic with free facepainting and fun for the kids and a hunt for Santa’s reindeer with a gift for every child.

Santa Paws Pet Photos: 2.30pm - 4.30pm at Murray Bridge Marketplace Santa Cave (next to EB Games). No family Christmas is complete without a photo of your fur or feathered friend and Santa. Online bookings are essential and sessions book out quickly. There will be no walk-in pet photo sessions available. Pets must be on a lead or in a carrier; any aggressive pet behaviour and you'll be asked to leave. Please bring your own pet waste bag. Sessions start at $20. Bookings - events.humanitix.com

Sip, Paint, Repeat - Christmas Glow: 3pm - 5pm at Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge. Features a 2-hour artist-led painting session, your very own canvas to take home (40cm x 50cm), all art supplies provided (paints, brushes, easels, aprons) and a complimentary welcome drink on arrival. Tickets $65 from - www.paintelaide.com.au

Tailem Bend Christmas Parade & Markets: 4.30pm - 9pm. Festivities start from 4.30pm on Willow Street, Parade from 6pm. Meet & greet Santa in the Town Hall from 4.30pm - 5.45pm and again after the parade. Our talented face painters will be set to go, Tailem Bend CFS will have plenty of cold drinks to sell, Lions Club BBQ, enjoy a coffee, free entertainment for all ages and check out the Market Stalls in the Town Hall.

Mypolonga RSL Christmas Tea: from 6pm at the Mypolonga RSL, 326 Mypolonga Road, Mypolonga. BBQ tea and salad + visit from Father Christmas. All welcome.

Sunday 15th 🌤️ 42°

Sensitive Santa: 9.30am - 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 - no music, spotlights, queues and noise levels will be kept low. Bookings essential for this 10 minute visit - events.humanitix.com

Kids DIY - Clay Ornament: 10am - 12noon AND 1pm - 2pm at Bunnings, Maurice Road, Murray Bridge.  Using clay and your imagination, you can create your very own clay ornament for the festive season. Perfect for kids of all ages - no experience needed. Kids must be accompanied by parent/guardian. Bookings - www.bunnings.com.au

Live music with Luke: 2pm - 5pm at Swanport Hotel, 3166 Jervois Road, Murray Bridge. Enjoy some chilled tunes on a scorcher of a day. If you'd like to book a table call 8532 3666

Monday 16th 🌤️🌦️ 39°

Christmas Creations: 10am - 12noon at Centacare, Sturt Reserve Road, Murray Bridge. Get creative this festive season at Centacare's Christmas creations free family activity. Lots of fun making Christmas decorations. For families with children aged 0 - 12. Bookings essential. Call Lyall on 0437 389 997

Funeral Service - Karl Desmond Beinke: 11am at Minge Chapel

Tuesday 17th 🌤️ 🌬️ 26°

Kite making: 10am - 11.30am at Callington Oval, 20 Callington Road, Callington. Free for families with kids under 12, all materials and expertise provided. Bookings essential. Call Lyall - 0437 389 997

Jingle and Mingle Christmas Party: 12noon - 1.30pm at Sturt Reserve BBQs (near Community Club), Murray Bridge. You're invited to the Equality Life Disability Support Services free community Christmas lunch. Children's activities including facepainting, games, free raffle & prizes. Father Christmas may even be there! All welcome.

Bike Fix Basics: 12noon at at Callington Oval, 20 Callington Road, Callington. Free for families with kids under 12. Bring your own bike, wash & lube the chain and gears and learn other minor maintenance and repair skills. Bookings essential. Call Lyall - 0437 389 997

Funeral service - Graham William Carling: 2pm at Minge Chapel

Wednesday 18th ⛅ 33°

Funeral Service - Malcom H (Jonesy) Jones: 10.30am at Minge Chapel

Kayaking Holiday Adventures: 9am - 11am OR 11.30am - 1pm at Hume Reserve, Murray Bridge. A free activity for families with kids under 12 in sit-on-top kayaks. All gear supplied, please wear closed-in shoes and be sun-smart. Bookings essential. Phone Lyall - 0437 389 997

Christmas Crafts: 10am - 12 noon at Callington Recreation Centre, 20 Callington Road, Callington. Get into the Christmas Spirit these school holidays and join us for some crafty family fun. For children aged 2 - 12 years, must be accompanied by an adult. Bookings essential - www.trybooking.com

Community Christmas Lunch: from 12 noon at The Square Community Centre, 2 South Terrace, Murray Bridge. Come and celebrate the festive season at this free lunch for the community. Bookings essential for catering purposes - 8531 1799

Christmas Bingo - 6.30pm, eyes down 7.00pm at Murray Room, Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge. Capped at 150 people, tables of 10 available. Prizes for best dressed. Books - $20, dabber - $3. Bookings essential - events.humanitix.com

Thursday 19th 🌤️ 38°

Funeral service - Gweneth Ruth Offe: 11am at Murray Bridge Uniting Church

Correction: An earlier version f this story gave an incorrect day for the Tailem parade at one point. 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.