The silly season is definitely upon us. With just over a week until Christmas, what better way to kick start the festivities with some fun gigs and arts and culture events happening this weekend!

Here are our top picks to get you amongst the action.

VIC

Jakubi provides the perfect soundtrack this Friday at Howler, swinging a slick and sizzling sonic buffet of pop, R&B, hip-hop, rock, and soul.

If Hip-Hop ain't your thing mosey on down the road to catch Aria Hall of Fame inductee and King of Pop, Russell Morris as he hits the stage at Spotted Mallard with special guest Geoff Achison.

For all our Southsider's out there, The Espy's Gershwin Room will also be hosting a night of killer live music this Friday, welcoming one of Australia's leading live acts and flagbearers for the Australian Ska Scene, Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Head to Howler this Saturday and catch The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra as they set to release their second album, 'Naming & Blaming', a pulsing, percussive journey into classic afrobeat.

QLD

Get down to Woolly Mammoth this Friday night and catch the leaders of the modern death metal scene, Psycroptic chuck a mosh on stage.

NSW

The first annual Pee Records, Chopdog & Def Wolf Xmas Bash at H Live is this Friday! The team bring some killer international bands, ska bands, punk bands, washed up bands, you name it they've got it.

For our house fans out there, Chicago-born producer, songwriter, and DJ Lil Louis is in town. Witness the unmissable Lil Louis pack some heat in the club this Friday at The Oxford Art Factory.

On Sunday Brisbane punk rock band Cold Pie, head to Wollongong's Rad Bar to play some meaty tunes alongside psych surf garage band Scab Baby, upcoming three-piece garage punk rock band Sun Creeps and Aus rock band from the south coast Dribs. 

WA

As the sun goes down and the stars come out, the Cape Mentelle gardens transform into an outdoor cinema this Saturday beside the iconic vines. With cult favourites and box-office hits projected on the big screen and the spectacular natural environment as the backdrop, it's the ideal recipe for the perfect summer evening.

The No Scrubs DJs are bringing 90s and early 00s tunes the Sewing Room dance floor this Saturday! Join them for a night of the best party tunes from the 90s - 2008.

SA

Local garage-punk barnstormers Bleeding Knees Club celebrate the launch of their new album 'Fade The Hammer' this Friday at Rocket Bar and Rooftop.

On Saturday the biggest party in Port Augusta is back for the last instalment in 2018 with not one but five special guests including none other than Press Play, Lockdown, Fresh Kiwi, Grover and RNB lord R-Cue for the first ever regional Cloud Nine event in SA.

ACT

Gingerfest 2018 is where you'll want to be this Saturday to truly welcome in the silly season, with proceeds going towards The Annual Ginger Ninja Punk Rock Music Festival, a not for profit company established in 2014 in memory of Nicholas Sofer Schreiber (1986-2013). Catch Bodyjar, Hightime, Jeff Rosenstock (USA) and more.