This weekend’s community calendar is packed with fun family focused events; everything from sport, food and wine, fireworks, markets, gardening, and music.

The Central App’s dedicated section for community events can be found by clicking on Things to do | What’s On. We’ve collated a day by day list to plan your  Central itinerary for the last long weekend before Christmas.

Friday October 21

Eat Taste Central; it’s the last few days of celebrating Central’s food and wine. Kick off the weekend in style by joining the Quartz Reef team for insight into sparkling wines at 11am ($30).

Pop along to the Central Otago squash champs and Alexandra Squash Club’s Labour Weekend tournament. Play begins at 5.30pm, and games are also played on Saturday (free to watch).

Saturday October 22

Start early…The Otago Polytechnic - Central Campus Nursery Plant Sale is in Cromwell (9.30am  -12 noon). This year, along with tough locally grown plants, there are beer tastings available.

After stocking up on plants visit McNulty House and grounds and have a sausage; 10am - 2pm ($5 entry). It’s also open on Sunday. 

For more architectural and environmental inspo, there is a Sustainable House Tour on from 9.30am -12.45pm, and proceeds go towards restoring the beloved Vallance Cottage ($20).

If you’re more into motorbikes than plants, the NZ Moto Trials Championships begin today at 10am and continue until Monday; the action is in Blackmans and Conroys gully (free to watch). 

Spectators are also welcome at Omakau Bowling Club’s Bowls3Five tournament with teams from all over the Southern region taking part. Contact: [email protected].

Sunday October 23

Get fit for summer and head to the lakeside for stunning views. The Cromwell Half Marathon, 10km and teams relay is from 9.45am. Enter by 12 noon on Saturday if you plan to run or walk. 

The Cromwell farmers and craft market is back, promising produce, crafts and music by the Bannockburn Boys. It runs 9.00am -1.00pm in Old Cromwell.

History will be on show at the Annual Lord Clyde Parade in Clyde’s historic precinct at midday; there will be top hats, military equipment and bagpipes (free).

Leave the kids with a babysitter and head to the Alexandra Basin Winegrowers new release winetasting, on at Clyde’s historic railway station reserve for the afternoon. There’s a shuttle for $10 cash half hourly from Central Stories Museum and Gallery.

If you’re in Alexandra, the forecast looks good for a family picnic after the Vallance Cottage Open Day, where you can meet the volunteers leading the work to preserve this piece of history (free).

Close out your day with a bang at Cromwell’s Fireworks and street party, a free event from 5.30pm in Cromwell’s heritage precinct including a night market and live entertainment.

Monday October 24

Take your deck chair to watch the annual cricket match for charity, as the Rowan Parker memorial XI take on Chris Reinds memorial XI at Molyneux Park at 11am

Bowlers can join the Alexandra Bowling Club social triples from 6.30pm; grab two mates and contact Allan to enter.

Phew. That’s it. At the time of writing there are 67 days until Christmas. Rest up until then. 

The Central App team wishes readers a fantastic long weekend. Let us know your highlights by emailing [email protected]