Christmas in Lane Cove 2024

Published on 15 November 2024

eNews tile - Christmas (4).png

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Lane Cove Council is thrilled to share our Christmas 2024 program, centred around the Christmas Beetle. Many will remember how iconic the Christmas Beetle was during the summer months of yore. Sadly, numbers have dwindled, and it is no longer a given that you will find a little chrissy bug on your towel at the beach, or in the backyard.

To honour these beautiful creatures, and raise awareness for their decreasing numbers, Lane Cove Council is hosting an array of citizen science and educational events surrounding the Christmas Beetle – read on for more information! We’re also excited to host our big Christmas launch on Friday 6 December, and support many more magical moments. Keep an eye out or the 12 Beetles of Christmas sculptures as you shop locally this month - we've commissioned artists and staff teams to create beautiful public art pieces to bring that extra special sparkle to the village. 

Christmas is a special time, come and enjoy all the fun Lane Cove has to offer!

Click on the items below to learn more, and mark your calendar for Friday, 6 December for the Lighting of the Christmas tree at the Lane Cove Plaza, and Bluey at The Canopy!

Christmas 2024 Program

Click on the beetle to read our Christmas program booklet! Or click here: Christmas 2024 program

eNews tile - Christmas (3).png

The 12 Beetles of Christmas

It’s beetle mania in Lane Cove with 12 beautiful sculptures on the loose! Stunning pieces from artists and Council teams are set to roaming the streets this December bringing Christmas cheer and raising awareness for the dwindling numbers of Christmas Beetles in Australia today.

Can you “catch” a Christmas Beetle in Lane Cove? Snap a photo of your favourite beetle sculpture, or a living Christmas beetle, share it to Instagram and tag @lanecovecouncil to win a $300 Lane Cove Gift Card! Terms and Conditions

INDO's Christmas Beetle!

About the artist: Patrick Edward Indo (b1982) aka INDO, a renowned Australian artist, is celebrated for his vibrant Pop art, murals, street art, and commercial illustrations. With a strong foundation in graphic design, INDO has transitioned from a successful career in advertising, print & television broadcast to pursue his passion for creating impactful art & Urban Mural Art. Learn more about INDO here: INDO | Creative Mural artist | Graffiti Street Artist

Indo.jpg

 

Social Media competition information

Social media competition terms and conditions

 

Christmas Beetle educational events

Christmas Beetle Bug Hunt

  • Saturday 7 December, 9:00AM to 11:00AM
  • Lane Cove Community Nursery
  • Free event, bookings essential

On this special bug hunt, we are on the lookout for shiny Christmas Beetles which appear in the summer months. From camouflaged in brown to bright metallic green, let’s see what we find as we search the bushes and bushland floor. Ages 5+

Register here: https://christmasbeetlebughunt.eventbrite.com.au 

Bah-Hum Bugs!

  • Saturday 7 December
  • 10:30AM - 11:30AM
  • The Plaza Lane Cove
  • Free event

Join us for an interactive talk to learn all things BUGS - with a special addition to the program covering Christmas beetles in support of invertebrates Australia's Christmas beetle count campaign.

Webinar: The Beetle Count

  • Wednesday 11 December
  • 7:00 - 7:45PM
  • Link will be shared with registered attendees

Dr. Tanya Latty, an expert in entomology, will lead an informative webinar on the Beetle Count, sharing insights on its impact and addressing questions in a live Q&A. This event is a valuable opportunity for enthusiasts and citizen scientists to learn more about contributing to invertebrate conservation efforts through the Beetle Count project.

Register here: The Beetle Count webinar

 

 
  
 
 
 
 

 

 

Christmas events in our villages and libraries

Free Mystery Christmas Craft Bags

Monday 2 December from All Council libraries

Free

Collect festive Christmas Craft bags for all ages this December! Pick up your mystery craft bag from Lane Cove Library, St Leonards Library, Greenwich Library, or The Yarn Hunters Hill. One bag per person per day, while stocks last. Happy crafting!

Christmas Storytime at the Libraries 

Wednesday 18 December, 5:00PM - 6:00PM Lane Cove Library - Free Event  

Thursday 19 December, 5:00PM - 6:00PM St Leonards Library - Free Event

Celebrate the holiday season with us at Lane Cove Library and St Leonards Library Annual Christmas Family Storytime! Join us for an enchanting evening filled with festive stories, sing-along holiday songs, and lots of Christmas cheer. Perfect for families and children of all ages, this special event will bring the magic of Christmas alive. E

 

Lighting of the Christmas tree

Friday 6 December in the Lane Cove Plaza

Enjoy this special tradition for Lane Cove locals!
Featuring free kids' activities, entertainment and special performances finishing with the Mayor lighting the Plaza Christmas Tree. 

  • 3:30pm - 5:00pm - Christmas Crafts
  • 3:30pm - 6:00pm - Face Painting (Please note: The queue may close earlier depending on capacity)
  • 6:00pm - 6:45pm - Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra
  • 7:15pm - 7:45pm - Singing, Dancing and Acrobatics on the Bandstand
  • 8:00pm - The Mayor will turn on the Christmas Tree lights
Bluey Live Christmas Experience

Friday 6 December, 3 shows at 4:00pm, 5:00pm & 6:00pm, The Canopy | Free

Wackadoo! Don’t miss Bluey and Bingo at The Canopy - For real life! Get ready to play Verandah Santa, Keepy Uppy and more. No booking required but be sure to get in early to grab a spot on the grass.

John Field Band 

Saturday, 7 December | 6:00pm to 9:00pm | The Canopy | Free

Enjoy getting into the Christmas spirit with The John Field Band, free concert at The Canopy stage.
From classic rock and roll, to contemporary pop hits, to swinging jazz of years past, this band can play it all.
This is an all-ages concert. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This is a picnic event. Food and drinks are permitted. Please bring a picnic rug or low chair (no spikes permitted). No umbrellas, dogs, or higher chairs are permitted.

Get tickets

Christmas Beetle Craft @ Lane Cove Libraries

Wednesday, 11 December | 3:00pm to 4:00pm

Come along to:

  • Lane Cove Library,
  • St Leonards Library,
  • Greenwich Library or
  • The Yarn, Hunters Hill.

Create amazing Christmas Beetle crafts!

Ages 4 to 12. Free event. No bookings required. 

Santa's Visit at The Canopy 

Saturday, 21 December | 9:30am to 11:30am

Come on down to The Canopy for a photo with Santa and get your face painted by an elf!

Free event, no booking required. 

New Year's Eve with Plastic Soul

Tuesday, 31 December | 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Formed in Sydney by some of the local scene’s best, Plastic Soul is a party band with a predilection for all things funk and soul.

This is a picnic event. Food and drinks permitted. Please bring a picnic rug or low chair (no spikes permitted). No umbrellas, dogs, or higher chairs permitted.

Free event, no booking required. 

Bush Kids Christmas events

Bush Christmas

Wednesday 18 & Friday 20 December 2024 9:45 - 11:30AM

Blackman Park, Lane Cove West

Tickets $10: 

18 December Bush Christmas - Lane Cove Bush Kids
20 December Bush Christmas - Lane Cove Bush Kids

 It's almost Christmas and the bush is abuzz with seasonal activity. Come along to celebrate the silly season with some fun Christmas storybooks, a Christmas quiz and Christmas nature craft. It's bound to be a jolly good time!

Christmas in Stringybark 

Friday 6 and Thursday 12 December, 9:45 - 11:15AM

Stringybark Creek Reserve, Lane Cove North

With over 300,000 species of beetles worldwide, the Christmas beetle is one of the prettiest. Come along to learn about these colourful beetles and other interesting Australian ones. We'll read a storybook, go on a bushwalk and create a craft beetle of our own.

Tickets $10:
6 December Christmas in Stringybark - Lane Cove Bush Kids 
12 December Christmas in Stringybark - Lane Cove Bush Kids

 

Trees of Joy

Tree of Joy

This festive season, help us give back this Christmas and donate unwrapped gifts for children in need between Wednesday 13 November and Friday 6 December. Gifts for all age children and teenagers can be donated, collect a gift tag for inspiration from any tree location.

Where you can drop off gifts and donations

  • Lane Cove Council Civic Centre (At the Customer Service Desk)
  • Lane Cove Library
  • St Leonards Library
  • Greenwich Library

Gift ideas

  • Cinema Pass
  • Toys for younger children
  • Vouchers such as iTunes, Dymocks, Coles, Woolworths
  • Other gifts to suit teenage kids

 

 

Christmas Carols finder

Come and enjoy these free music events around Lane Cove as these wonderful choirs spread the Christmas cheer

Christmas in Hughes Park

SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER, 3:30 - 8:00PM

enjoy festive music and carols with the Lane Cove Community Bands, featuring performances by the Burns Bay Big Band, Karingal Concert Band, and Turrumburra Concert Band.

Lane Cove Choristers

WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER, 10:00AM TO 12:00PM

The Living and Learning Centre, 108 Longueville Road      

Join Lane Cove Council for a festive Christmas performance by the Lane Cove Choristers! Enjoy a delightful morning tea followed by a heartwarming holiday performance at Council's Living and Learning Centre.

Bookings essential: Lane Cove Choristers Christmas Concert | Lane Cove Council

LaVoce Christmas Carols

THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER, 6:30PM TO 7:30PM LANE COVE LIBRARY 

Experience the joy of the season with festive Christmas carol performances by LaVoce Community Choir! Singing for the love of music and the benefits it brings to well-being, LaVoce invites you to celebrate with them in a spirit of fun and community.

Bookings essential: LaVoce Community Choir Carols | Lane Cove Council

Carols in the Canopy

SUNDAY 15 DECEMBER, FROM 6:00PM THE CANOPY

Get ready to celebrate the festive season in style! Join us for Carols at The Canopy, a beautiful evening filled with music, joy, and community spirit under the stars. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to sing along to beloved Christmas carols and soak up the magic of the season. Presented by LCM and C3 combined churches.

The Lane Cove Gift Card

Head to Lane Cove Gift Card | Lane Cove Council to purchase a Lane Cove gift card and give the gift of local shopping this year!

Lane Cove gift card

Join the Lane Cove e-news before the 5th January 2025 for your chance to win a $200 Lane Cove gift card! T&C’s apply

Sign up for the newsletter and enter now!

 

 

Christmas tree mulching service

Bring your Christmas tree down to Blackman Park, Lloyd Reese Drive Lane Cove West, from Boxing Day 26 December and we'll mulch it for free! Follow the signs to find the designated spot.

Council closure hours

  • Council Civic Centre and Depot: Closed from 1pm, Tuesday 24 December 2024, reopening Monday 6 January 2025. Council can still be contacted on 9911 3555 to assist with emergencies.
  • Lane Cove Library: Closed on public holidays, with reduced hours over the holiday period.
  • St Leonards Library: Closed from 1pm, Friday 20 December 2024, reopening Thursday 2 January 2025 with reduced hours that week.
  • Marjorie Propsting Memorial Library (Greenwich): Closed from Monday 23 December 2024 to Monday 6 January 2025.
  • Library items: No due dates between Christmas and Monday 6 January 2025.