Family-friendly events on the North Shore this December

Bug hunts, free film screenings, wreath making and more: here are all the best kids events on this month.

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Christmas in Nature

A full day of outdoor activities hosted at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden in St Ives. For children aged 6–12. Tickets $80.

When: December 22, 9am–4pm

Where: 420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives

Reel Joy: A Christmas Celebration Event

A special screening at Roseville Cinema of children's Christmas classic Elf, starring Will Ferrell. Free entry, drinks and popcorn provided. RSVP required.

When: December 1, 9am

Where: 112 Pacific Highway, Roseville

Native wreath making workshop

This workshop hosted by Ku-ring-gai council will teach participants young and old how to craft christmas decorations out of local native flora. Ages 12 and up, tickets are $85. 

When: December 14, 2pm

Where: 420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives

Christmas beetle monitoring 

Join Associate Professor Tanya Latty of Sydney University for an evening of coleopterology (the study of beetles) as part of the Christmas Beetle Monitoring Network. At dusk, participants will set up light traps to attract and observe the iridescent critters. Book via council website.

When: December 19, 7:30pm

Where: 420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives

Christmas Concert at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Word of warning - the live music at this concert seems to be largely geared towards kids. Tickets $43 for ages 16 and up, $36 for kids aged four to 15, and free for those aged 3 years and under.

When: December 13, 7–8:30pm

Where: Taronga Zoo Concert Lawns

Lifeline's Giant Book Fair in Hornsby

The Rosewood Centre in Hornsby will be cleared out this December to host over 90,000 secondhand books for Lifeline’s Giant Book Fair. 

Collectibles, CDs, DVDs and video games will also be sold at the fair. 

Get in early for the best finds at cheap prices.

When: December 6–8, 8am–5pm

Where: 9 The Avenue, Hornsby

Lane Cove Bug Hunt

As part of the Water Bug Blitz, a national citizen science program, Lane Cove will be hosting a bug hunt this December. Participants will be looking for all sorts of creepy crawlies along the Lane Cove River, in particular the Christmas beetle, known to be most prevalent in the months of November and December. 

All equipment is provided by the council, entry is free, but booking is required. 

When: December 6, 9–11am

Where: 4 Lloyd Rees Drive, Lane Cove

The Nutcracker at Chatswood Concourse 

Tchaikovsky’s beloved Christmas ballet The Nutcracker will be performed at the Concourse Theatre. All ages welcome. Tickets $75, $65 for concession.

When: December 20–21, 2pm and 6pm

Where: 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood

Christmas carol events for the whole family

Mosman Christmas Lights Party

When: December 14, 7pm

Where: Prince Albert Street, Mosman

Carols in Willoughby Park

When: December 6, 4pm

Where: Willoughby Park

Barney’s Carols in the Courtyard, Roseville

When: December 6, 5pm

Where: 81-83 Macquarie Street, Roseville

Balmoral Carols

When: December 13, 5pm

Where: 63 The Esplanade, Mosman

Carols in the Park, Pymble

When: December 14, 5pm

Where: Bannockburn Oval, Pymble