Welcome the New Year

By Larry Rivera, About.com Guide

The new year begins in the middle of the Australian summer, a season of festivities and fun. See what's happening in 2012.

2012
Summer Down Under
Christmastime
Anzac Day

Theatre and Performing Arts
Melbourne Cup
Public Holidays
Events and Festivals

2012

New Year's Eve fireworks, courtesy City of Sydney

Fireworks usher in a new year with the promise of happy traveling and more exciting experiences in the various events and festivals of the year. Mark these dates on your calendar. There are exciting times ahead.

Summer Down Under

The southern summer begins in December and finishes in February. Aside from Christmas festivities, it's a time of beach-going, bangers and barbecues, and cooling off in the mountains. There are a number of holidays, too, and big summer events.

Christmastime

Photo: Santa at Sydney's Martin Place, courtesy City of Sydney

No snow on the ground, no reindeers pulling sleighs... Christmas Down Under takes place in the first month of the southern summer, so it's a rather different Christmas in Australia but with a lot of similarities, too.

Anzac Day

April 25 is Anzac Day which is marked throughout Australia with dawn services, wreath-laying, parades, or a combination of these, to commemorate the 1915 Gallipoli landing by the Anzacs in World War I.

Theatre and Performing Arts

Regent Theatre, Melbourne, copyright Tourism Victoria

A popular and accessible facet of a country's culture comprises theatre and performing arts events staged in various venues. These include opera, ballet, drama, musicals and cabaret performed in places ranging from grand halls to intimate and tiny theatre spaces.

Melbourne Cup

The running of the Cup, copyright Tourism Victoria

On the first Tuesday of November each year, all Australia comes to a standstill. It is the running of the Melbourne Cup, still Australia's premier and richest horse race. Unless there are scratchings, 24 horses line up at the barrier at Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse for the 3200-metre race which has become a national passion.

Public Holidays

Australian War Memorial, focus of Anzac Day, courtesy Canberra Tourism & Events Corporation

There are a number of official national public holidays in Australia, some of which are unique to the country. A number of public holidays may also occur on different dates in different states in Australia. Some of these holidays specific to Australia follow:

Events and Festivals

St Patrick's Day in Sydney, copyright Larry Rivera

If you enjoy being in a particular place at festival time, you'll find a number of events and festivals in Australia practically all year round. These range from cultural events to sports contests, flower festivals, racing carnivals and colorful ethnic celebrations.