3 things we’re looking forward to most at this weekend’s Christmas in July
More than 100 stallholders, dance troupes, circus acts and the Big Red Man himself will converge on Queanbeyan Showground this weekend for the long-awaited return of Christmas in July.
Previously drawing more than 10,000 locals and visitors through the showground gates, the event returns with a bang, making up for lost merriment after three long years of Christmas-free winters (thanks COVID!)
We’ve come up with the top three things we can’t wait to get merry about this weekend.
The genius Caroloke competition.
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Warm up your Mariah Carey vocals for some Christmas Carol Karaoke! Utter genius. Pick your favourite Christmas banger to belt out, from Silent Night to Jingle Bell Rock, and you’re on your way to being Queanbeyan’s Caroloke King or Queen.
This event is open to all ages from children to adults and can be a solo, duet or group performance. Dust off those tambourines and get the children in Von Trapp family formation for this epic event. Sign up online by this Friday 8 July to secure your spot on stage. Prizes from local businesses will be awarded to the most rockin’ musical performances.
Possibly the best line-up of stalls the event’s ever had.
The variety of vendors on the day is huge, and we’ve picked out some of our favourites:
Hola Oblea is a Colombian dessert stand selling round crispy wafers covered in Colombian caramel sauce and a variety of fillings such as fruit jams, whipped cream or grated cheese. We can’t decide if we want to sample pretzel, marshmallow or brownie toppings .. probably all three!
Our second pick is the Funky Frog Boutique, who’ll be selling gorgeous handmade children’s clothes for babies and beyond. We’re obsessed with their coats made from recycled pure wool blankets from the 1950s and your children will love the range of materials available from Bluey, Disney and a whole range of familiar characters.
Our final pick is the Antique Duchess. This mother and her daughters are proud Butchulla and Gubbi Gubbi women. They hand-make beautiful Aboriginal jewellery as an artistic interpretation of their connection to Country, from glittery statement earrings to natural gumnut Christmas tree decorations, we’ll definitely be checking them out on the day!
A way for everyone to enjoy the event: sensory hour.
From 9am until 10am the event will be exclusively a “Sensory Hour” and will keep the loud music and hustle and bustle of large crowds to a minimum. The quiet time aims to provide an opportunity for the whole community to attend and enjoy the event.
Clockwork Circus is performing during Sensory Hour for those with differing sensory needs. Clockwork Circus is a troupe of steampunk circus performers from Canberra, specialising in stilt-walking, juggling, acrobatics, unicycle and hooping.
“It’s so important to make our events inclusive so that everyone can enjoy being out and about in our community,” QPRC Mayor Kenrick Winchester said.
What: Christmas in July
Where: Queanbeyan Showground
When: 10am-3pm
Cost: Free
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About the Author: Holly Winchester
Part Jennifer Coolidge, part Jennifer Garner (gaudy and geeky), Holly idolises Dolly Parton and Princess Di and loves NRL. When she's not creating killer content, you’ll find Holly at the Maccas drive thru getting her chai latte fix or buying 1990s memorabilia for the walls of her Googong home. Specialist subject: the Woolies carpark.
