It’s December and the Christmas calendar of events and activities across the Fleurieu is filling up fast, with parades, markets, concerts and carols.

From today, Friday 1 December through to New Year’s Eve, Sunday 31 December, there is something for everyone to celebrate.

Friday 1 December

Goolwa - Rock the Coast Christmas Disco for International Day of People with Disability. A free event for all abilities 18+ - Centenary Hall 10am to 2pm.

Cape Jervis Carols by the Sea, with Rapid Bay Primary School 6.30pm at Gumnuts, where the Heysen Trail starts.

Saturday 2 December

Second Valley Christmas market 9am to 2pm at Second Valley Hall.

Sunday 3 December 

McLaren Vale community Christmas parade 6pm to 8pm

Children’s entertainment , a youth market and live music, followed by a pizza party in the piazza with proceeds going to McLaren Vale CFS.

Friday 8 December 

Port Elliot twilight shopping – Eat, shop and be merry from 5pm to 8pm.

Saturday 9 December

Victor Harbor Christmas pageant, Artisan Market and Carols by the Sea.

The parade starts at 5.30pm from Bridge Terrace, travelling along Flinders Parade and The Esplanade and concluding with the arrival of Father Christmas followed by community carols at Warland Reserve.

Friday 15 December

Strathalbyn - Christmas Where the Angas Flows.

Markets from 2pm; children’s activities from 4pm; community pageant at 6pm; and carols on the banks of the River Angas at 7.30pm; followed by fireworks at 9.30pm at Soldiers Memorial Gardens.

To enable Goolwa residents to join in, Alexandrina Council has subsidised SteamRanger services between Goolwa and Strathalbyn, with discounted tickets. Visit the SteamRanger website for details. 

Sunday 17 December

Goolwa Rotary Christmas concert – Goolwa Oval. Gates open 5.30pm.

Carols on the Square at Old Noarlunga from 6pm. Includes a community raffle and purchase of electronic candles. 

Tuesday 19 December

Port Elliot carols in the town square from 6.30pm.

Cancelled by a storm last year, organisers are determined there will be no raining on their parade in 2023. Food, coffee and entertainment from 6pm. 

Wednesday 20 December

Victor Dragons carols on the Encounter Lakes, at Encounter Bay from 6.30pm.

Sunday 31 December

Normanville New Year’s Eve pageant from 7.30pm.Floats travel from Katherine Drive to the Basin at the Normanville foreshore. Food stalls at the foreshore from 4.30pm onwards. Music and celebrations after the pageant, around 8.15pm, with fireworks scheduled for 9.30pm.