Time to celebrate: From free fireworks to festive feasts, Noosa serves up a wonderful choice of ways to bring in the New Year this Saturday night. For a full guide, see the Festive Season Guide at www.visitnoosa.com.au. Noosa Marina, Tewantin has free fireworks at 9pm and midnight, with live music from Matt Harris Trio. Hyatt Regency Coolum 5449 3430) has free fireworks in the Village Square at 9.30pm and plenty of dining options. Sunshine Beach Surf Club (5447 5491) has free fireworks on the beach at 9pm, dining at the restaurant and a DJ till late. Free buses: Don’t forget to hop on a free Sunbus public bus right around the Noosa region and the Sunshine Coast from Boxing Day till January 8 – leave the car behind and save the traffic hassles. Timetables available from Visitor Information Centres or see www.translink.com.au

Christmas in Cooroy: Join the free family event this Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3, in Apex Park and Mill Place, Maple Street, Cooroy. On Friday it’s the turning on of the Christmas lights at 7pm, then Live on the Beans, a free, all-ages event on the Cooroy Library rooftop from 7-10pm, with Flight of the Concords on the outdoor cinema screen and live music from Those Clever Foxes and Spuhtnik. On Saturday, there’s a Poets’ Breakfast from 8am, then fun in Apex Park from 4-10pm with rides, live music and food stalls. Join up to 100 Santas in the Cooroy Great Santa Race at 4.30pm (entry $10 for the Leukaemia Foundation), then see the Bendigo Bank Street Parade from 5pm, a visit from Santa at 6pm and fireworks at 7.30pm. See www.christmasincooroy.com.au Slam festival: The Slam volleyball festival comes to Noosa’s Main Beach on Saturday December 3, with fun, fashion and music from noon till midnight. Amateur and elite beach volleyball teams will compete on the beach. The DJ line-up at the club is Radio Ink, Goodwill (Ministry Of Sound), Mitzi and local DJs. See www.slamfestival.com.au Santa comes to Coolum Town: Join in the festive fun at Coolum this Friday December 2, 4.30-6.30pm. Kids will enjoy Santa’s workshop at 4.30pm, there’s live music from Cool Harmonies, the Ulysses Bike Club charity toy and tucker run at 5.30pm, a Christmas sing-along, and a visit from Santa on the Esplanade at 6pm. Carols by Candlelight: Join the Community carols at Eumundi Amphitheatre (wet-weather venue is Eumundi State School Hall) this Sunday December 4, 5.30-9pm, with entertainment by Melissa Isles, Chad Shuttleworth, Tracy Combes, Noosa Christian Choir, Simone Bell and Eumundi State School Choir. Santa will make a guest appearance