The artistic director of Birmingham Royal Ballet has created a gold-standard production of this beloved party piece, remaining faithful to the feel of the 19th-century original. Tchaikovsky’s last great score for ballet, with its lively motifs and bewitching melodies, draws us into the story of Clara, a young ballet student celebrating with her family on Christmas Eve.

WHAT: Ballet
WHEN: Monday 16 December, 7:30pm
WHERE: Sydney Opera House
HOW MUCH: Not specified, more details here

Liverpool Art Society and Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre are proud to present the 22nd Annual Liverpool Art Society Exhibition. The annual Liverpool Art Society exhibition, presented at Casula Powerhouse since 1998, promotes and celebrates the creative talent of our region. This year the exhibition will feature an array of artworks from painting, ceramics, sculpture and photography from Liverpool Art Society members of all ages.

WHAT: Exhibition
WHEN: Monday 16 December, 9am-5pm
WHERE: Casula Powerhouse
HOW MUCH: Free, more details here

Sarah Contos’ new body of work brings together ideas concerned with object ontology, metamorphosis/transformation, existential inquiries, 1930’s monster movies and feelings of a wonderful ‘come down’ after a big night to create an incredible installation spanning the entire gallery.

WHAT: Exhibition
WHEN: Tuesday 17 December, 10am-6pm
WHERE: Roslyn Oxley9
HOW MUCH: Free, more details here

Who is Douglas? A very specific dog, and he’s inspired Hannah Gadsby to once again put pen to paper and turn out a show you couldn’t possibly expect. Hannah found her voice with ‘Nanette’ and with ‘Douglas’ she plans to use it.

WHAT: Comedy
WHEN: Tuesday 17 December, 8-10pm
WHERE: Sydney Opera House
HOW MUCH: $84.90 + $8.50 bf, get tickets here

Featuring Alice Wormald, Denise Green, Ed Bats, Evan Woodruffe, John Aslanidis, Louise Tuckwell, Lynne Eastaway, Michelle Hanlin, and Simon Blau.

WHAT: Exhibition Opening
WHEN: Wednesday 18 December, 6-8pm
WHERE: Gallery 9
HOW MUCH: Free, more details here

Marianne (Noémie Merlant), a young painter in 18th-century France, has been commissioned to do the wedding portrait of Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), a reluctant soon-to-be bride who refuses to sit for her portrait – and must be studied in secret. Intimacy and attraction swiftly develop between the two women, even as circumstance conspires to drive them apart.

WHAT: Film Screening
WHEN: Wednesday 18 December, 6:30-9:30pm
WHERE: Dendy Circular Quay
HOW MUCH: $14-$18, get tickets here

Come and practice life drawing in an informal setting with fellow art lovers in the beautiful Peach Black Gallery, lead by visual artist Matteo Bernasconi.

WHAT: Life Drawing
WHEN: Thursday 19 December, 6-8pm
WHERE: Peach Black
HOW MUCH: Free, more details here

Matisse & Picasso is the story of friendship and rivalry between two of Europe’s greatest twentieth-century artists. Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso met in 1906 and followed each other’s artistic achievements for more than 50 years.

WHAT: Exhibition
WHEN: Thursday 19 December, 10am-5pm
WHERE: National Gallery of Australia
HOW MUCH: $25-$28, get tickets here

The Newsagency I will be joined by some old and new friends to celebrate the end of the year, play some music and tell you bad jokes.

WHAT: Comedy
WHEN: Friday 20 December, 7-11pm
WHERE: 74-76 Pyrmont Bridge Road, Annandale
HOW MUCH: $32.50, get tickets here

Children will have lots of fun learning the basics of Ceramic painting while designing & painting a fruit bowl. Once painted the Ceramic bowl will be glazed & fired in our kiln to make it functional & usable. Ready for pickup one week later.

WHAT: Workshop
WHEN: Friday 20 December,
WHERE: Plaster Master Fun
HOW MUCH: Free, more details here

Join the growing climate justice movement as we walk together across the Harbour Bridge to deliver the PM a message that we demand action on bushfires, choking smoke and the climate change that is driving both.

WHAT: Protest
WHEN: Saturday 21 December, 11am-1pm
WHERE: First Fleet Park
HOW MUCH: Free, more details here

Carriageworks Christmas Market is a unique opportunity to buy fresh seasonal produce and gifts just four days before Christmas. Featuring fresh turkey, hams and seafood, delicious cherries, fresh fruit and cheeses from the region’s best producers, plum puddings and artisan food, and gift stalls from local artists, designers and makers.

WHAT: Market
WHEN: Saturday 21 December, 8am-2pm
WHERE: Carriageworks
HOW MUCH: Free, more details here

In collaboration with Bodega 1904, our weekly Growers Markets feature a selection of seasonal fruit and veg from a variety of our favourite growers, sustainable products from community providores and a changing schedule of workshops and masterclasses featuring winemakers, cheesemakers, chefs, authors and artists.

WHAT: Market
WHEN: Sunday 22 December, 8am-2pm
WHERE: Tramsheds
HOW MUCH: Free, more details here

Build a wall dodging robot power by Arduino!
Our workshop staff will guide you through building a working robot.

WHAT: WOrkshop
WHEN: Sunday 22 December, 2:30-3:30pm
WHERE: Jaycar Electronics Broadway
HOW MUCH: Free, RSVP here