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Your one-stop Christmas shop – gift hunt, dine and celebrate at Sanctuary Cove

Your one-stop Christmas shop – gift hunt, dine and celebrate at Sanctuary Cove

We’ve reached the time of year when shopping destinations around the globe transform into feats of festive glory. With white Christmases and same-day shipping, it’s our friends in the Northern Hemisphere who get to enjoy most of the fanfare. There’s Skansen’s famous Christmas Market in Stockholm, where locals enjoy warm cider, snow-capped market stalls and reindeer spotting. Or Berlin’s famous Gendarmenmarkt with its mulled wine, live carols and artisan pop-ups. Now, before you book an impulse flight to Scandinavia for your present shopping, we thought we’d introduce you a destination closer to home – The Marine Village at Sanctuary Cove. Throughout December, the Gold Coast waterfront spot will be the place to eat, drink, shop and be merry in Southeast Queensland.


 

The entertainment
While snow-angel making is well and truly off the table, there’s plenty of fun in the sun to be had with the Christmas activities and entertainment on offer at The Marine Village. Every day of December, visitors can discover Christmas-themed displays including festively dressed windows, a centrepiece Christmas tree and interactive displays of Santa’s sleigh and larger-than-life gift boxes (perfect for seasonal selfie-snapping). For a more professional result, head to the breezeway between The Cove Tavern and Anchor Buoy for a free family photo with Santa. On the evening of Thursday December 5, gather for Carols on the Green when the Village Green will come alive for an evening of free music and merriment. Beneath a starry sky, enjoy carol singing, the Rotary Buggy Parade and a visit from Santa!

The shopping    
Market stalls are undeniably charming but you can’t go past the convenience and atmosphere of the open-air shopping at The Marine Village. Soak up the sunshine as you search for Christmas gifts (or something for yourself). Explore more than 30 retailers stocking a mix of local labels and international designer brands. Head to Champions Hair Beauty Day Spa to schedule a pamper for a special someone or pop in to Latitude Clothing Co to browse its range of premium menswear. Even the little ones can be catered to with something from childrenswear boutique Sparrow Kids. Conveniently, if the Christmas shopping starts to tire you out, you’re never too far from a spot to sit back, relax and recharge by the waterfront.       

The food
Like any strenuous exercise, Christmas shopping requires sustenance. You won’t need to search far for dining options at The Marine Village this silly season with more than 20 restaurants, cafes and bars scattered throughout the precinct. For a satisfying refuel, stop by Anchor Buoy Cafe & Bar or favourite local eatery Sanctuary Cove Tavern. Not just for stops between shops, The Marine Village’s dining offering is also perfect to gather friends and family for a festive meal. Catch up with colleagues by the marina over a decadent dinner at Artichoke, feed the whole family at Dragon Cove Chinese Cuisine, or treat that special someone to an evening of fine dining at The Fireplace, Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort’s signature dining destination.  

This article was written in conjunction with our friends at Sanctuary Cove. 

To find out more about what’s on in the Gold Coast, head to our Event Guide.



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