Top 10 things to do this week

Christmas is upon us so there are plenty of festive activities in this week’s list.

1. Special gifts

Pick up a unique last-minute Christmas present by visiting Bunbury Regional Art Galleries.

The annual Christmas Shop retail exhibition will allow people to pick up a wide range of handmade gifts by emerging and established artists.

Wood, ceramics, paintings, sculpture and photographs are among the many mediums showcased in this evolving exhibition, where buyers can take home purchases straight away.

New items will be added throughout the sale and BRAG is open from 10am until 4pm daily.

2. Christmas services

Celebrate the religious aspect of Christmas by attending one of Bunbury’s churches.

St Patrick’s Cathedral will host services at 6.30pm on Christmas Eve and 11.30pm carols before midnight mass, plus Christmas Day masses at 8am and 10am.

At St Boniface Anglican Cathedral, there will be 6pm and 11pm Christmas Eve services plus another at 9am on Sunday.

St Augustine Uniting Church’s services will be at 6.30pm on Christmas Eve and 9.30am on Christmas Day.

Boxing Day is race day at Quit Bunbury Speedway.

The night is round one of the USA vs WA Sprintcar Speedweek and is sure to provide a night of high intensity and exciting racing.

Street stocks and junior sedans will also hit the track in a post-Christmas treat for motorsport fans.

4. Festive photos

Father Christmas will be visiting the South West ahead of the big day.

He has a busy schedule at the region’s shopping centres and will be available for photos with children and to hear what is on their wish list.

Exact times are available on each centre’s website.

5. Prince gig

Southern River Band will cap off a big year that included the release of a debut album with a show in Bunbury.

Tunes from their album Live at the Pleasuredome, which was released in November, are set to feature in Thursday night’s show.

The band was also nominated for most popular live act at the WA Music Awards and will be supported by Bunbury act Western Kinsmen of the Sun.

6. Red Dog

Red Dog: True Blue opens at Grand Cinemas Bunbury on Boxing Day and is a prequel to the 2011 original.

This tale revolves around Red Dog’s early life before being discovered on the road to Dampier and his rise to fame.

Rated PG, the film is a rare chance to see a Western Australian tale brought to life.

7. Library activities

Children will have the chance to create a handmade Christmas gift at two Dardanup Shire Council events this week.

Dardanup library will host a creative session between 11am-12pm today where children can turn their hand print into a snowman on a bauble.

Tomorrow, it will be time to create yarn reindeer at Eaton library between 10.30am-11.30am.

Both events are free and bookings can be made through the council’s website.

Head along to Bunbury Turf Club on Thursday for an afternoon of racing.

There will be a full race card and plenty of on-course excitement at the renovated club for the last pre-Christmas meeting.

It continues a busy time for the club with another two race days scheduled for next week.

9. Festive flicks

Brad Pitt’s latest effort is among the many films to open at Grand Cinemas Bunbury on Boxing Day.

He stars alongside French actress Marion Cotillard in Allied, a film which crosses the genres of action, drama and romance.

Pitt plays an intelligence officer in North Africa during World War II who meets a female French resistance fighter working behind enemy lines.

Their relationship is tested by the war once they reunite in this M-rated film.

10. Jetpack

Christmas Eve regulars Jetpack are back for more.

The band will again play at the Prince of Wales Hotel as an ideal way to kick off your Christmas celebrations.

Plenty of much-loved covers will give the audience plenty of opportunity for singing along with the Perth boys.