There’s Christmas entertainment a more in HELEN MUSA’s latest Arts in the City column.

Master magician Michael Boyd joins guest Prinnie Stevens and “the absolute crème de la crème of Australia’s showgirls” to present The Christmas Spectacular, billed as an extravaganza of music, circus, dance and magic. Canberra Theatre, December 9-10.

This has long been my hottest tip for seasonal presents – local artisans and ceramicists showcase a curated selection of handcrafted gift items at the Canberra Potters Christmas Fair, Watson Arts Centre, December 6-15.

Rebecca Duke and Thea Jade from NSW and Sarah Matthews from Victoria, have been selected as finalists for Canberra Youth Theatre’s national Emerging Playwright Commission. It offers $17,100 to develop a full-length script suitable to be performed by actors aged anywhere between seven and 25. 

Inspired by the true story of Chris, the Merino ram who was lost for five years in the bush near Canberra and set the record for the world’s heaviest fleece, author Jackie Hosking has written a new children’s book called A Woolly Tale. Chris’ fleece is on display at the National Museum.

As the CEO of Cheek Media Co, co-host of the Big Small Talk Podcast, and the best-selling author of Bite Back, Hannah Ferguson is a rising media star. In Canberra, she’s joined by Big Small Talk co-host Sarah-Jane Adams in a fun-serious talk show where, she says, she’ll talk about “everything from the US election to sex and pleasure”. Canberra Theatre, December 11.

Advent Singen is the Austrian Harmonie Choir’s most joyful event of the year, and will feature Austrian and Australian Christmas carols, the Young Austrian Children’s Choir and a visit from Santa. Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah, December 8.

A newly-launched space for staff and students of ANU’s School of Art & Design, is the Dye & Fibre Garden. Located between the Baldessin Building and the carparks, it holds both native and non-native plants, specially cultivated for use in textile dyeing and fibre production.