The countdown to a new decade is on, so grab your diary and get ready for the best things to eat, drink and do this December.
This month, there’s a whole bunch of festivals, markets and events you need to know about. From free live music at sunset to unlimited oysters and rosé to epic action-packed fun runs and so much more, you won’t want to miss our guide to The Best Things To Do In December 2019.
Bopp & Tone Turns One with a Pop Up Lillet Spritz Bar & Deli
The CBD restaurant and bar Bopp & Tone is celebrating its 1st birthday with an epic line-up of festivities this month. To kick things off, the venue will be hosting a pop-up Lillet Cocktail Bar on their alfresco wrap around terrace until December 20th, serving up an epic line-up of three limited-edition spritz drinks. From the classic Lillet Spritz (featuring a blend of strawberry, cucumber and mint mixed with the fruity, Bordeaux-born aperitif and topped with tonic) to the Rouge and Soda (made with Lillet Rosé, lemon myrtle and PS Soda Ginger Beer), nab these cocktails for $16 each (or for $14 during the venue’s happy hour, weekdays from 4 to 6pm).
Plus, the venue will also be popping up at Table Sixty Espresso in Wynyard until December 20th for Bopp’s Deli, offering a selection of charcuterie and antipasti boxes just in time for festive gifting and catering season. Choose between two different sizes, the Medium Deli Box ($35, perfect for 2 to 4 people) or the Large Deli Box ($65, perfect for 4 to 8 people), each with a selection of cured meats, olives, cheeses and bread. To order your box online, click here.
Jazz on the Pier at Pier One
Summer is made for long afternoons that stretch into the evening. This summer, Pier One Sydney Harbour is hosting a new live music series to celebrate the start of summer. Kicking off on Sunday, December 1st, Jazz on the Pier will get you swinging with live jazz overlooking Sydney Harbour and Walsh Bay. Every Sunday from 2-5pm all summer long, head to the pier to sip on handcrafted cocktails, enjoy tasty food truck delights and soak in an exciting line-up of jazz musicians. To find out more about this event, click here.
Beerhaüs Summer Sessions
This December, Beerhaüs Barangaroo is celebrating the start of summer with the launch of new menu items, sour beers, cocktails and exclusive deals. Running up until December 31st, Sydneysiders can score four new sour brews from the South Australian craft brewers at Pirate Life, with funky fruity flavours perfect for cooling off on a hot summer evening. Aside from these oh-so-drinkable beers, Beerhaüs is also launching four stein-sized cocktails to share ($25) including a 1 litre thirst-quenching Chambord Rosé Sangria and a Kraken Rum Punch. Plus, the team will also be serving up two new burgers incuding the VegeHaüs ($16) packed with a stack of vegetarian goodness and the TropicHaüs (with pulled pork, grilled pineapple, mixed leaves, ranch dressing and BBQ sauce). The best bit? Swing by during Summer Hour (6-7pm daily) to enjoy sour beers and cocktails ($7.50), stein-sized cocktails ($20) plus an exclusive happy hour pretzel ($6). To find out more about this month-long event, click here.
Icebergs Terrace x Ketel One Botanical
This summer, the Icebergs Terrace has just been transformed into the Icebergs Terrace x Ketel One Botanical, an idyllic oasis with botanical-infused drinks flowing. This new destination has been created as part of the launch of the new Ketel One Botanical, a lower ABV vodka-based drink made for sipping on long hot summer afternoons. With just 30% ABV, the drink comes in three varietals (Peach & Orange Blossom, crisp Cucumber & Mint and the fragrant Grapefruit & Rose), making it the perfect choice for those looking for a lighter way to kick back this summer. The Icebergs Terrace x Ketel One Botanical is open daily from 12:30pm to 8pm until the end of March 2020 and open 12:30pm to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays from April 2020 onwards. To find out more, click here.
Sunset Sessions at Cockatoo Island
Now in its second year, Cockatoo Island’s Sunset Sessions kicks off Saturday, November 23rd and continues all throughout summer until March 28th 2020. Every Saturday evening from 5pm to 8pm, head to the Bileola Lawn on Cockatoo Island to enjoy three hours of home-grown and international talent with a rotating selection of live music acts each week. But, live entertainment is just the start of what’s on offer. Every Sunset Sessions evening will feature a range of sweet and savoury treats for punters to enjoy courtesy of the island’s on-site Marina Cafe & Bar. Expect everything from Connoisseur ice cream to house-made grazing boards, gourmet pies, cracker and dip boxes, chips and nuts to snack your way through during the evening. To find out more about this event, click here.
Unlimited Oyster & Bottomless Rosé Day 2019 (December 1st)
This summer, the Urban Winery Sydney crew is putting on an event celebrating Sydney’s favourite pink drink: rosé. On Sunday, December 1st, the team is bringing back their oh-so-popular event for a second year with the Unlimited Oyster and Bottomless Rosé Day 2019. Head to the beautiful Heritage Lawn at the Urban Winery precinct to enjoy an afternoon in the sun. From 1pm to 4pm guests will be treated to bottomless glasses of A.Retief Rosé along with unlimited trays of fresh oysters to complete the laid-back picnic experience. The Urban Winery Sydney’s Unlimited Oyster & Bottomless Rosé Day 2019 will be taking place on Sunday, December 1st from 1pm to 4pm. Tickets ($65 per person) can be purchased here.
June’s Shoppe 1st Birthday (first week of December)
Looking to brighten up your work week? The team at hole-in-wall coffee shop June’s Shoppe is celebrating its first birthday with a series of epic deals and savings. Swing by the store on Friday, December 6th to score your morning brew for just $2 (ordered through the HeyYou App) from 6am. Plus, throughout the first week of December, the team will be slinging 50% off coffees and on Tuesday, December 3rd will be giving away free sunflowers with 50% off coffee vouchers attached. To find out more, click here.
The Clock Dog Party (December 7th)
Pup parents, this is the pooch-friendly party you need to tag along to this December. On December 7th, Surry Hills’ The Clock is hosting an epic Dog Party in their leafy Courtyard. In collaboration with Young Henrys and Dogs@Play, the party will feature an inflatable pool for your pup to splash around in, plenty of tennis balls to play with plus a FREE doggy salon from 1-4pm to help your fur baby look their best. Capture their fresh look by capturing a snap in front of the event’s doggy media wall, with doggy pack giveaways and prizes for the Best Dressed Doggo to win. Plus, pup parents can enjoy cold beers from the Young Henrys Tinnie Bar to top off the day. To find out more about this event, click here.
QVB Cine-mas Rooftop Cinema (December 5th to 7th)
The CBD’s most iconic Romanesque arcade is set to bring the magic this Christmas with a festive outdoor cinema. For three nights only (December 5th, 6th and 7th) the Queen Victoria Building’s terrace will be transformed into the Cine-mas, the perfect spot to watch Australia’s favourite Christmas movies (as voted by Sydneysiders). Each night there will be two sessions (a family viewing at 6:30pm and an adult session at 9pm), with tickets on sale from November 27th. Watch exclusive screenings of festive favourites Elf, Polar Express and Home Alone at this elegant open-air cinema with a pop-up bar provided by Reign Champagne Parlour & Bar. Tickets to the cinema ($35 per adult) can be complemented by an additional Cine-mas package with two different tiered options available including everything from sweets and bubbles to a 2-course dinner at Esquire Drink + Dine before or after your session time. To find out more about this epic cinema experience, click here.
Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Open Day (December 7th)
Swim season is officially in full swing. To celebrate, the crew at Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool are hosting a day of free events to get Sydneysiders ready to swim. On Saturday, December 7th, the pool will be offering free entry. For those keen to sign up for a season of swimming, you can sign up for a 360 Membership, giving you unlimited access to every City of Sydney pool and fitness centre (with no joining fee and two weeks free membership if you join on the open day). Throughout the open day make sure to stop by the poolside BBQ, nab a smoothie and soak up the sun with free live tunes all day long. To find out more about this Open Day, click here.
Finders Keepers Spring/Summer Market 2019 (December 6th to 8th)
Still racing to get the Christmas shopping done? Make sure to swing by the latest installment of the Finders Keepers Market this December to explore over 200 independent art and design stalls packed with unexpected treasures. Make your way to The Cutaway, Barangaroo Reserve to explore food and beverage stalls and enjoy live music, grab a beer at the Stone & Wood Gather Bars, coffee carts and food trucks to complete your shopping experience. For just a $5 entry fee, spend the day browsing curated goodies on Friday December 6th (12pm to 9pm), Saturday December 7th (10am to 7pm) and Sunday December 8th (10am to 5pm). To find out more about the markets, click here.
Craft Drinks Market (December 8th)
A market dedicated to small, independent brewers, distillers and winemakers? Count us in. Making its debut on December 8th is the Craft Drinks Market, a specialty festival celebrating small, independent makers of beer, wine, gin, cider, and other alcoholic beverages, as well as some non-alcoholic equivalents. With a Christmas theme and entry just $10, head along to sample and purchase bottles from the likes of Manly Spirits, Brix Distillers, Batch Brewing, Otter Craft Distilling, Brookies (Cape Byron Distillery), Treat Dreams (Boozy Chocolate), Ascella Wines, and ALTD Spirits (non-alcoholic producer). To find out more about this market, click here.
5K Foam Fest Sydney (December 14th)
Looking for a fun way to get fit this December? Sign up to the Sydney leg of the 5km Foam Fest, an epic fun run and obstacle course guaranteed to get your blood pumping. On December 14th, Sydneysiders will tackle 22 of some of the most exciting obstacles including the world’s largest inflatable waterslide, slip and slides and mucky mud pits. Plus, you’ll dive into 2.5 million cubic feet of foam pumped out at the event to set the mood for an epic fun-filled day. Ready to have some fun? Tickets to the 5km Foam Fest Sydney can be purchased by clicking here.