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Silly season is nigh. Whether the prospect whips you into a flurry of festive cheer or has you gearing up for an annual round of “Bah, humbuggery” – and most of us are in between – there’s plenty to see and do between now and year’s end. Without further ado, here is a very Melbourne Christmas guide with something in the stocking for everyone. Why did Ebenezer Scrooge become the ultimate grinch? Well, to his mind, life was nothing but a permanent cost-of-living crisis: “What’s Christmastime,” he sneers, “but a time for paying bills without money – a time for finding yourself a year older, and not an hour richer.” Relatable. Matthew Wharcus’ production of will set budding Scrooges to rights. Now in its third year, it has established itself as a Melbourne Christmas tradition and the charming adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic parable from Jack Thorne ( ) is a bell-ringing, carol-singing delight. There’s a new celebrity Scrooge every year – in 2022 David Wenham, last year Owen Teale from – and Erik Thomson steps into the role this time. The and star first came to wider attention as Hades on and – with a larger-than-life mean streak that’ll be useful for playing Ebenezer before his de-Scroogification in this elegant and uplifting, family-friendly show. There are plenty of good reasons for ambivalence about Christmas – it’s a capitalist holiday devoted to conspicuous consumption, and for those without families or rejected by them, it can be an isolating time of year. Malthouse Theatre throws open its doors to subversive festivities with , a variety show that welcomes every Christmas orphan or misfit or malcontent to the party. Devised by talented rabble-rousers Sarah Ward and Bec Matthews, it promises to be an all-inclusive Christmas special with comedy, circus and cabaret galore. Director Susie Dee will be in Mrs Claus mode, getting the explosive and anarchic talents of the ensemble – which features aerial elves, tap-dancing turkeys and carollers from hell – to burn the house down on schedule. Forget stocking fillers and decorating the tree. Trade them for wild surprises and glitter bombs of perverse hilarity as this eccentric found family saunters towards a camp Yuletide apocalypse. This story first cast its spell on me when I was seven, and the enchantments of this Christmas ballet are an unforgettable introduction to the magic of live performance. As young Clara steps into a world where toys come to life on Christmas night, a colourful fantasia unfolds through spectacular and virtuosic dance. Tchaikovsky’s transporting score is most famed for the tinkling tintinnabulations of the Sugar Plum Fairy, though there’s a battle against armies of mice, too. There are two options for watching this fabulous story: from the Sydney Opera House on December 12 at 7.15pm or the at Hamer Hall on December 18 to 20. The 2024 line-up is still under wraps, but Vision Australia’s is such an institution you can be sure the best and brightest stars regard it as an honour to sing at what has long been a premier carolling event. Its reach extends far beyond Melbourne and it is broadcast live on Nine (owner of this masthead) on Christmas Eve. Tickets sell quickly if you want to attend live, candle in hand, among the televised throng, so plan accordingly. Film screenings with a live orchestra playing the score are popular year-round, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has chosen Christmas favourite to celebrate the holidays. Composed by the master of Hollywood scores John Williams, this one features a choir, and carolling and should keep conductor Nicholas Buc’s baton twirling with comic menace as young Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin) defends himself from a home invasion in this Christmas comedy classic. For children of a more classical bent, the MSO also has , a 50-minute festival concert with familiar carols and festive music, on December 14, with a relaxed performance also available. Are you a Swiftie who failed to catch Tay Tay when she played the MCG and stopped the city in its tracks? Fear not. promises the ultimate Taylor Swift tribute concert, and singing along is encouraged. It’s part of a lively festive season at the Athenaeum that takes in a musical parody of (December 6-23), and (recently seen in ) backed by the Melbourne Opera Orchestra and choir (December 11). Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens opens its gates over summer to al fresco films nightly by the lake at . Outdoor productions of Shakespeare are also an annual event, with the Australian Shakespeare Company performing by night and the much-loved by day (both from December 21). Take a picnic and enjoy. Got stockings to fill? Christmas markets abound. The Queen Victoria Market is in full swing with its popular (November 20 to March 12) every Wednesday, and Santa will be in attendance pre-Christmas. Over at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, you can pick up an array of Christmas delicacies at the (December 6-8) and if you’re feeling particularly nerdy, there’s a Christmas edition of the pop culture and gaming convention on at Jeff’s Shed that weekend, too. At Federation Square, there’s a Christmas edition of the at the Atrium (December 8) and you can celebrate on December 14 in a day of workshops, live performance, a market with Koorie arts and crafts and, of course, Koorie Klaus – a jolly fellow in red, yellow and black trim (the colours of the Aboriginal flag much more in the spirit of goodwill to all than red and white), didgeridoo in hand. Everywhere from the Sunday craft market along St Kilda Esplanade to large weekly produce markets at Preston or South Melbourne will be gearing up for their busiest season, too, as well as tucked-away alternatives, such as the bespoke at Life’s Too Short Bar (December 14, 21), where you can pick up unusual bargains and support local creators. The Yarra is a great place to wander, with a Christmas carnival along its banks offering rides and funfair games (December 6-24), or you can stroll down to the (until December 25) and its spectacular water fountains, lasers and light projections. Stadium Square at Marvel Stadium is transforming into the , a free event with a 360-degree cinema and 18 AFL club-themed Christmas trees. More relaxed options include the bubble artists at (Capitol Theatre, December 23-24) or any of the special Christmas film screenings, such as , at that venue. And it wouldn’t be a Melbourne festive season without the . This is the 69th year the department store has dressed its windows in the Bourke Street Mall. For 2024, it has teamed with Australia Zoo and the Irwin family to create a magical encounter with wildlife through puppetry, lighting and mechanical genius, and despite a low-key opening, the display looks fabulous and continues in style what has become a traditional suburban pilgrimage for many families with young kids.WASHINGTON — Parents whose kids died allegedly because of social media content are pushing lawmakers to require tech companies to alter practices to minimize such harms. Attorneys general in more than half of U.S. states support the same legislation, saying “many social media platforms target minors, resulting in a national youth mental health catastrophe.” But with few days left in the current session, House leadership hasn’t set a floor vote for a measure approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee in September. The bill’s companion in the Senate passed on a 91-3 vote in July. “We are trying to get it done,” Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., said in a recent hallway interview in the Capitol. “I’m working like heck to get it done.” Bilirakis is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce, whose jurisdiction includes data privacy, security and consumer protection. Bilirakis said he had spoken with the House Republican leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson, about bringing the measure to a vote. “I haven’t given up at all,” Bilirakis said. “I think we have a shot.” A spokesman for Johnson’s office did not respond to questions about the bill. New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella is among more than 30 across the nation who have backed the bill. In a statement last month, Formella said, "“The mental health challenges, bullying, and harmful content linked to social media have reached a crisis point, and it's time for Congress to take action. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) provides a crucial framework to ensure social media platforms put the safety of children first. “By strengthening safety features, giving parents more control, and addressing harmful design practices that foster addiction, we can begin to reverse the damage affecting America's youth," Formella continued. "I am proud to join my colleagues from across the country in urging Congress to pass this important and bipartisan legislation without delay.” Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, one of the lawmakers seeking the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the new Congress, said he had not discussed the bill with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the committee chair who’s retiring. Latta said in a brief interview that he wasn’t aware of whether the schedule will include the bill. Social media companies’ aversion to the legislation is no secret. Tech industry trade groups — including NetChoice, a group that represents top tech platforms including Google LLC, Meta Platforms Inc. and Snap Inc. — have said that the measure is anti-constitutional because it curbs free speech. Meta, for example, favors requiring app stores to get parents’ consent if kids under 16 want to download certain social media apps. A spokesman said that would be better than the proposals being considered in Congress, even with the House version stripping out some Senate bill provisions through a substitute amendment by Bilirakis. The first provision removed would have required tech companies to exercise a “reasonable care in the creation and implementation of any design feature to prevent and mitigate” harms to minors, including mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, eating disorders, substance use disorders and suicidal behaviors. The second provision would have required tech companies to design their products and services to mitigate “patterns of use that indicate or encourage compulsive usage by minors.” During the committee vote, several Democratic lawmakers lamented that Bilirakis’ amendment was released a day before the markup, leaving them without time to propose changes. The amendment was approved by a voice vote. Pleas from parents Among the parents pushing for passage is a state legislator touched by the issue. “I’m tired of seeing kids die daily while we have Congress playing politics,” said Brandon Guffey, a Republican state representative from South Carolina. “I’m watching money go around. I’m watching misinformation on the kids online safety bill.” Guffey, speaking at an event organized last week by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, said his 17-year old son Gavin committed suicide in July 2022 after becoming a victim of online sexual extortion on Instagram, a platform owned by Meta. Parents and their lawyers at the event urged Congress to protect kids online. A group of 31 state attorneys general, led by Tennessee’s Jonathan Skrmetti, wrote to the House and Senate leaders on Nov. 18 pressing them to pass the measure. Other groups, such as kids safety advocate Design It For Us, have pushed House Republicans to beef up the provisions in the bill. “If Congress fails to pass KOSA this year, it will jeopardize the lives of more young people,” Zamaan Qureshi, co-chair of Design It For Us, said in a text message. “We can’t wait any longer.” The measure is about “design, not content,” said Laura Marquez-Garrett, an attorney at the Social Media Victims Law Center in Seattle. The group represents 3,600 families from all 50 states who have lost a loved one to social media harms, she said. Speaking at the same event as Guffey, Marquez-Garrett said that “there were changes made and those concerns were resolved,” including removing any penalties on platforms for hosting content. In the absence of guardrails, when kids search for inspirational quotes online, for example, social media platforms serve up “extreme videos,” she said. A 16-year old boy who searched online for inspirational quotes “after his first heartbreak got thousands of ‘no one will ever love you’ and suicide-promoting videos,” and the boy committed suicide, Marquez-Garrett said.
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