*paradise being a relative term

Lots of Christmas-themed shows and markets, obviously – and thank goodness! Bilk in Manuka has its annual Christmas show of works in glass, silver and gold, all unique and beautiful. The works vary in scale and price, and many are one-off works, including whiskey and sake glass sets, glass flowers and oh-so-many earrings. The exhibition at Bilk Gallery, Palmerston Lane, Manuka, runs until December 24. Beaver Galleries is also showing and selling Small Works, by artists across a range of media – they're "exquisite and often challenging" and maybe even perfect as gifts! But especially to look at and admire. And M16's Drawing Prize wraps up this weekend, along with Wrap Up, an exhibition by its studio artists of "intricate, small and affordable works – ideal for gifting this Christmas season for somebody else or for you". And Watson Arts Centre has its Christmas Fair of handmade ceramic gifts on Thursday-Sunday 10am-4pm at 1 Aspinall Street, Watson, until December 23.

Shhh – there's a Mediterranean piano in our highest court! I last typed these lines back in March, ahead of the planned concert by Australian Taiwanese pianist Belle Chen, who unfortunately cancelled at the last minute. But she's back, and will present Postcards from the Mediterranean, "which takes the audience through a journey around the vibrant Mediterranean coast. From quirky, elegant works of French composers Ravel and Poulenc, the rhythmic dances of Spanish composers Mompou and Albeniz, to the exotic and mysterious work by Turkish composer Fazil Say, this programme will bring to life the kaleidoscopic cultures and sounds of the Mediterranean." Belle Chen will be playing from 1.30pm on Sunday December 18 in the High Court at Parkes. The event is free but booking is recommended, at hcourt.gov.au/about/concerts.

SoundOut, an annual international festival of free improvisation, free jazz and experimental music that's now in its 8th year as a Canberra event, once again lost out on funding from Events ACT for 2017, and founder Richard Johnson is running another crowdfunding campaign to raise $15,000 to allow the event to go ahead in February: "SoundOut provides a much-needed avenue for brilliant creative musical endeavours from around the world and Australia," he says. "We see our role as fostering continued creative collaborations between some of the best artists the world has to offer, and our own brilliant Australian artists, and showcasing these to the community. In 2017 we have over 25 artists from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Denmark, France, and Norway, who will combine, cross-fertilize, and move sound mountains to uplift your ears and replenish the mind during the two-day event, which spans 18 hours of music over 22 sets." If this cause is important to you, visit gofundme.com/soundout-festival-2017 to find out how to donate money to keep the festival going.

Once again, the country's finest cultural institutions have stepped up to the mark when it comes to ideas for WHAT IN GOD'S NAME TO DO WITH THE KIDS DURING THE HOLIDAYS AARGH. First up, the National Gallery has launched its permanent kids' space, NGA Play, with an inevitable Versailles theme for the coming months. Set up in honour of the late, great Betty Churcher the space is free and open all day and has crafts and interactive things and a garden and a Marie Antoinette cut-out and all sorts of things to keep them entertained, with a program of workshops and holiday programs throughout January. Visit nga.gov.au for details. The National Portrait Gallery is also running kids' activities alongside its delicious big exhibition, The Popular Pet Show, with a Pets Backyard-themed family space, open 11am-4pm daily until January 29. The gallery is also running a program of children's events including stories, pet portrait workshops and PAWS for art – a Pawsome doggy day out on January 21. Visit portrait.gov.au for more information. And the National Museum of Australia is having fun with its own wildly successful blockbuster, A History of the World in 100 Objects, with a themed Discovery Space – History of You, running from January 9, and a play space within the exhibition, as well as the afternoon version in the foyer's Bay Window. It's a great place to visit on a rainy/hot/unbearable day. Just know that every other parent will be thinking something similar. Visit nma.gov.au for more details.

And, if you've already packed it in and headed to the coast for the holidays, you can check out the Four Winds Festival Summer Movie Nights, screening in the festival's outdoor pavilion the Sound Shell, from December 27-30 at 6.30pm. And, whatever, maybe HOLLYWOOD MEGASTAR MIA WASILOWSKA WHOM WE WILL ALWAYS AND FOREVER CLAIM AS OUR OWN will be there to talk about her career on December 27. No biggie. She'll introduce a screening of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. The program also features Paper Planes on December 28, Cinderella on December 29 and Eddie the Eagle on December 30. There'll also be a "junior" film screened early each night in the Windsong Pavilion, along with food and drinks. Yay holidays! Visit fourwinds.com.au for ticketing information.