Regrettably, this marks the final Feel-Good Friday for 2023. Reflecting on the year we’ve shared, it’s been quite a journey, hasn’t it? Amidst a world rife with conflict and tension, we’ve united to cherish life’s joyful moments. To culminate on a high, we’re thrilled to present an incredible lineup of activities and events, ensuring you head into the holiday break brimming with festive spirit.
MORE: Feel-Good Friday: 15 December – Half Days and Giveaways
IMAX Melbourne Launches Epic Film Festival
Kicking off on January 12 exclusively at IMAX Melbourne, the inaugural BBIFF (Best Biggest IMAX Film Festival) includes films specifically curated to showcase IMAX Melbourne’s epic surround sound and immersive giant screen. Highlights include Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight Trilogy both presented on Australia’s only IMAX 1570 film prints which have a native resolution of up to 16K, the highest resolution film format available.
IMAX Melbourne’s Oppenheimer re-release is coming off the back of a stellar season, becoming the highest-grossing movie in the cinema’s history with over 66,000 tickets sold and 171 sold-out sessions. IMAX Melbourne has also programmed an epic double-feature Opening Night Gala featuring Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049, plus The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Avatar: The Way of Water 3D, Tron: Legacy 3D, and more.
ALDI Drops New $3.25 Craft Beer Ahead of Festive Break
As we approach the final countdown to Christmas and New Years Eve, ALDI is giving Aussies another reason to celebrate and toast – dropping a new, super affordable craft beer that is perfect for summer and can be cracked open without cracking the festive budget.
Priced at AUD$13 for a four-pack (which works out at just AUD$3.25 a can!), the new “ALD IPA” was brewed in partnership with BrewDog and is hitting shelves in stores which sell alcohol across Australia on Wednesday 20 December.
Debuted last week at ALDI’s first ever pop-up pub in Australia, Special Brews by ALDI, every drop of ALD IPA was produced locally at BrewDog’s brewery in Brisbane and is made with five different hops, providing a fresh, fruity ale which is a perfect summer beverage.
Hottest Pie Hundred
National Pies has launched the Hottest Pie Hundred contest, offering participants the chance to win a delectable prize of 100 National Pies and 100 cans of Tassie beer. Entrants can vote for their favourite pie-themed tune from the specially curated Spotify playlist of 100 catchy tracks created by National Pies.
To participate, individuals can join via National Pies’ Instagram or Facebook pages, following the page, tagging two friends, and receiving a voting link. Unlimited voting is open to Australian residents aged 18 or older until January 19. And mark your calendars for National Pie Day on January 23, 2024, when the winning song and competition victor will be revealed at 10am AEST across all social platforms.
Supercheese Host Mouthwatering Tasting Night
The Gouda gods at Supercheese hosted a tasting night featuring Man of Many’s very own whisky. Embracing the festive spirit, the attendees relished a delightful evening exploring mouth-watering pairings.
If you’re yearning for some cheesy delights this Christmas, explore their assortment of specialty boxes curated for every cheese connoisseur. Additionally, indulge in their collection of hats, t-shirts, and totes guaranteed to make you melt.
Free Christmas Lights for all Local Households and Businesses
Quilpie Shire Council has brought an early Christmas to the outback, spreading holiday joy by gifting hundreds of dazzling Christmas lights to homes and businesses. Known for its warm hospitality, Quilpie now shines as a festive wonderland, illuminating every corner with sparkling lights, even in the remote reaches of the red earth region. The distribution of these lights across residential, rural, and commercial spaces, totalling over 70,000 twinkling globes, not only ignited the festive spirit but also provided much-needed illumination during a recent power outage.
Mayor Stuart Mackenzie OAM expressed delight in the community’s enthusiasm for decorating with the lights, envisioning a new Quilpie tradition. Beyond the lights, the town’s Visitor Information Centre has hosted lively Christmas Markets, offering local crafts and treats, creating a bustling hub for holiday shopping. With a population of around 800, Quilpie, situated 1,000km west of Brisbane, boasts a range of amenities and serves as a popular outback tourist destination, offering an array of activities from dinosaur exploration to opal fossicking and seasonal wildflower spotting, showcasing the area’s rich heritage and natural beauty.
Cop a Pass~Port x Tooheys Limited Edition Jacket
Two iconic NSW-based brands, Pass~port and Tooheys beer, have teamed up to create a bespoke ‘staff-only’ jacket inspired by the iconic Tooheys brewery, taking thirsty punters from shift to pub.
As a “heritage meets workwear” apparel, the reversible jacket has been designed to have a side that follows worksite high-vis safety requirements and, on the other, a stylish but rugged denim ideal for the Pub post-shift.
Tooheys and Pass~Port are offering a very, very small number of the super limited-edition jackets. Fans can head to visit Pass~Port on Instagram at @pass_port and enter the competition to win.
Moonlight Cinema Confirms Summer of Retro Titles
One of Australia’s favourite outdoor cinemas has revealed its highly anticipated January program of movies under the stars, and for the first time ever, a full summer of retro classics.
Audiences can be first to see some of the most highly anticipated movies including Mean Girls (2024), Ferrari starring Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz and Argylle starring Dua Lipa and Henry Cavill. The January program also features a selection of the most talked about movies of the summer including Wonka (starring Hugh Grant and Timothée Chalamet), Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Plus, a huge lineup of retro titles across summer will give guests the chance to see their favourite classics under the stars with titles including She’s The Man and The Princess Diaries. Located in five of the most picturesque parklands and outdoor venues around Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, Moonlight Cinema is the perfect summer evening activity.
Big Duck Energy in Sydney Harbour
On Sunday morning, Gwen, the cutest character from Illumination’s new movie Migration, brought BIG DUCK ENERGY to Sydney Harbour. Starting early at daybreak, Gwen floated from Glebe Island and saw the sun rise over the Harbour Bridge before heading towards Darling Harbour for the film’s premiere – but first, the Pyrmont Bridge had to be opened to let her pass.
Flocks of local celebrities, influencers and general passersby astounded by her size posed for family photos. Gwen is 12 metres tall and weighs 250kgs.
For Sydneysiders who want to get acquainted with Gwen, she will be in Darling Harbour this week ahead of the film’s wide release in cinemas on Boxing Day. Families can even get up close to Gwen on a Pedal Boat, available for hire in Cockle Bay.
Polperro Announce the Christian Kimber Retreat
In an exciting collaboration, Australian menswear designer Christian Kimber has partnered with Victorian winery Polperro, Mornington Peninsula, to launch the spring-summer 23/24 collection. This partnership invites guests to explore the world of Christian Kimber through luxury experiences starting this December. Set amid the lush hills of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Polperro offers a glimpse into Kimber’s inspirations of architecture, agriculture, and winemaking.
Led by Polperro’s founder, Sam Coverdale, the Christian Kimber Retreat package promises an indulgent fusion of experiences across the expansive property. It includes fine dining at Polperro Vineyard, exclusive wine tastings, farm visits, an aperitivo at Many Little, and rejuvenating yoga sessions at The Hut Yoga & Wellness. Guests will reside in luxury accommodations and receive Christian Kimber garments for a stylish immersion.
Bespoke accommodation packages can be requested via [email protected].
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