Watch out for Santa as he heads for Forest Hill and Gumly from 4pm. The Forest Hill Rural Fire Service brigade will be ferrying the big man around, with the usual locations in Gumly. Santa will be stopping for 20 minutes at each of the following Forest Hill locations: Sackville Drive park (near the RAAF base), vacant lot on Eldershaw Drive near Ausply, Dunn Avenue skate park, Central Park, Mangrove Drive park and the shopping centre. Donation buckets will be on hand for those wishing to donate to the RFS.

Pack everyone into the car and head out to take in the magical Christmas lights on display throughout the city. Highlights of the 2019 efforts are the dancing house in Best Street, Lyndoch and Waverley places in Hilltop, Swan and Loth streets in Flowerdale, Glenfield Park's Mima Street and there's been a resurgence in the famous Athol Street in Turvey Park. And don't hestitate to get out of town - the community at Ladysmith has put on one breathtaking display.

Inspire Church: will hold a one-hour Christmas Eve service at 7pm. Kids programs are running

St Aidan's: visit the Christmas lights in Coleman Street and join the free barbecue, jumping castle and carols in the garden service from 7pm

St Alban's: Christmas Eve lessons and carols at 270 Lake Albert Road from 7pm

St John's: Carols, Christmas story and holy communion from 6pm

South Wagga Anglican Church: there's a special Christmas Eve family show at St Paul's at 31 Fernleigh Road from 5.30pm, with traditional carols before Christmas goodies, jumping castle and more after the service. Christmas Eve communion commences at 11pm

The pub on the highway corner is open until 3am.

There's a huge calendar at Que just for Christmas Eve. The deck opens at 5pm, happy hour runs from 5pm until 7pm, Jason Rossi and Liam Nelson take over Playground at 10pm and there's an Elf on the Shelf to be found. Entry is free and the party won't stop until close at 3am.

The team at Sporties have thrown prawns, oysters and trout on the bar and will have Sonic Loader kicking off acoustic tunes in the beer garden from 6pm. The house DJ will keep the place rocking until close at midnight.

DJ Louis is on the decks in the Vic's front bar until 3am - well and truly after Santa should have arrived.