Eager for the holiday season in Sydney? Check out our guide for all the festive activities! Whether you're rediscovering Sydney or exploring it for the first time, our guide leads you to the holiday fun.
Popular Events: One highlight of the festive season is Carols in the Domain, where you can enjoy a night filled with classic Christmas carols under the stars. Another beloved attraction is the dazzling Martin Place Christmas Tree, a spectacular sight adorned with thousands of lights that brings the spirit of Christmas to the city centre. And the Christmas at the Cathedral is something you definitely don't want to miss, as its stunning architecture transforms into a magical experience of music and lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Sydney
- Carols in the Domain
- Martin Place Christmas Tree
- Christmas at the Cathedral
- Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens (Pokolbin)
- Sydney Fish Market 36-Hour Seafood Marathon
- Sydney Opera House Christmas Concert
- Le Jolly Christmas NIGHT Market
- City of Sydney Community Christmas Concert
- Pitt Street Mall Canopy of Light
- Christmas Day Lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour
See these and even more events listed below!
Sydney Holiday Light Displays
Christmas at the Cathedral
What to Expect:
Dazzling light display and festive music.
Description:
Christmas at the Cathedral features a spectacular display of lights and festive music, transforming the iconic venue into a dazzling holiday spectacle.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Christmas at the Cathedral
Martin Place Christmas Tree
What to Expect:
Tallest Christmas tree in NSW with 15,000 flowers and a colour-changing star.
Description:
The Martin Place Christmas tree is the tallest in NSW, adorned with over 110,000 LED lights, a 3.4-metre colour-changing star, and 330 glossy baubles. The tree features 800 branches dressed with 15,000 flowers representing nine different Australian flowers. Every night, a different choir sings carols around the tree, creating a kaleidoscope of colours and decorative lights.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Martin Place Christmas Tree
Pitt Street Mall Canopy of Light
What to Expect:
Synchronized light installation on historic marketplace buildings.
Description:
Pitt Street Mall Canopy of Light features 80,000 LEDs and 10 stunning 2m high stars, transforming the shopping area with a kaleidoscope of colours every night.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Pitt Street Mall Canopy of Light
Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens
What to Expect:
Australia's largest light display with themed light displays and rides.
Description:
Stroll through Hunter Valley Gardens and marvel at over 4 million twinkling lights, featuring themed displays and new photo opportunities. Enjoy amusement rides, roving entertainment, and hearty food and beverages.
Where: Pokolbin | More Info: Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens
Sydney Holiday Markets and Shopping
Le Jolly Christmas NIGHT Market
What to Expect:
Unique blend of French-European Christmas vibes with gourmet food and live jazz music.
Description:
Le Jolly Christmas NIGHT Market features authentic wood hut chalets, Christmas lights, and snow falling, offering gourmet food, fine wines, and live jazz music in front of Customs House.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Le Jolly Christmas NIGHT Market
Paddington Christmas Night Markets
What to Expect:
Synchronized shopping and entertainment under the night lights.
Description:
The Paddington Christmas Night Markets offer a vibrant and lively atmosphere with late-night trading, special Christmas street markets, carols, and Santa. Local artisans and traders showcase their unique goods, making it an ideal place to find unique gifts and enjoy the festive spirit.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Paddington Christmas Night Markets
Blak Markets at The Rocks
What to Expect:
Celebrating Indigenous art and culture with authentic, affordable products.
Description:
Blak Markets at The Rocks features 20 unique Indigenous stalls, a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, traditional dance and singing performances, and free weaving workshops. Shop original artworks, handcrafted homewares, and Aboriginal-inspired food.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Blak Markets at The Rocks
Sydney Fish Market 36-Hour Seafood Marathon
What to Expect:
Extensive variety of fresh seafood available.
Description:
Sydney Fish Market's 36-Hour Seafood Marathon is a 36-hour event where retailers open their doors from 5am on December 23 to 5pm on December 24, offering over 350 tonnes of seafood, including 120 tonnes of prawns and almost 70,000 dozen oysters. The market is a one-stop shop for all Christmas entertaining needs, featuring fruit, veggies, fresh bread, quality meat, cheese, wine, and dry goods.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Sydney Fish Market 36-Hour Seafood Marathon
Lindesay Christmas Gift Fair
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience in a historic villa overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Description:
The Lindesay Christmas Gift Fair offers a wide range of unique, high-quality Christmas gifts and gourmet foods in a delightfully historic setting. Hosted at Lindesay House, an elegant 1834 harbourside villa, the event features various stalls filling the house, cellar, and picturesque garden. Enjoy delicious meals and special appearances by Santa.
Where: Darling Point | More Info: Lindesay Christmas Gift Fair
Sydney Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Carols in the Domain
What to Expect:
Free Christmas concert with fireworks and snow.
Description:
Carols in the Domain is an annual Australian Christmas concert event held in Sydney's historic Domain, featuring national and international performers, festive carols, fireworks, and snow.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Carols in the Domain
City of Sydney Community Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Family-friendly performances with local artists and interactive activities.
Description:
The City of Sydney Community Christmas Concert features a lineup of local artists, including Justine Clarke and The Beanies, with craft activities, kids' games, and food trucks. Families can enjoy a variety of performances and interactive experiences.
Where: Sydney | More Info: City of Sydney Community Christmas Concert
Sydney Opera House Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Dazzling dancers, live orchestra, and choir performing Christmas favorites.
Description:
The Sydney Opera House Christmas Concert features 40 dazzling dancers, a live orchestra, and a choir performing your Christmas favorites in a spectacular event suitable for all ages.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Sydney Opera House Christmas Concert
Carols by the Sea at Bondi Beach
What to Expect:
Community Christmas concert with local performers and festive activities.
Description:
Carols by the Sea at Bondi Beach is a community event featuring Christmas songs, local young performers, and special guests like Emma Pask and the Australian Girls Choir. The event includes free face painting, kids' activities, and a sausage sizzle. It takes place at South Bondi Park, offering a sparkly evening of entertainment for all ages.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Carols by the Sea at Bondi Beach
Messiah: With the Australian Christian Orchestra & Choir
What to Expect:
Grand orchestral performance of Handel's Messiah with special guest artists.
Description:
The Australian Christian Orchestra and Choir present a captivating performance of Handel's Messiah, featuring a 50-piece orchestra and 50-voice choir. Highlights include the rousing Hallelujah Chorus, music by Chris Tomlin and Keith Green, and special guest performances. This event takes place at the stunning 800-seat Sydney Congress Hall, offering a powerful and uplifting celebration of music and faith.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Messiah: With the Australian Christian Orchestra & Choir
Sydney Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Day Lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour
What to Expect:
Luxurious Christmas Day lunch cruise with multiple dining options and live entertainment.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas Day with a luxurious lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour aboard Captain Cook Cruises' flagship Sydney 2000. Enjoy three hours of relaxed cruising with spectacular views of iconic landmarks, live entertainment, and a premium beverage selection. Choose from three decks offering different menus, including the 3-Course Christmas Summer Sensation, 4-Course Christmas Cracker Lunch, and 6-Course Christmas Spirit Lunch. Each deck provides a unique dining experience with expansive windows for superb viewing.
Where: Sydney | More Info: Christmas Day Lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Sydney Central Business District (0 miles)
- Mosman (3 miles)
- Randwick (4 miles)
- Marrickville (4 miles)
- Chatswood (5 miles)
- Ashfield (5 miles)
- Maroubra (6 miles)
- Ryde (7 miles)
- Campsie (7 miles)
- Strathfield (7 miles)
- Greenacre (9 miles)
- Hurstville (9 miles)
- Dee Why (9 miles)
- Epping (10 miles)
- Punchbowl (10 miles)
- Auburn (10 miles)
- Bankstown (11 miles)
- Carlingford (11 miles)
- Parramatta (12 miles)
- Hornsby (13 miles)
- Merrylands (13 miles)
- Baulkham Hills (14 miles)
- Castle Hill (15 miles)
- Greystanes (15 miles)
- Cabramatta (16 miles)
- Liverpool (17 miles)
- Blacktown (18 miles)
- Kellyville (18 miles)
- Quakers Hill (21 miles)
- Glenmore Park (31 miles)
- Wollongong (42 miles)