Christmas is on the horizon again which means holiday fever is officially setting in and taking over Sydney in a big way. From holiday light spectaculars to festive markets and immersive experiences, there is no better time to be in Sydney than Christmas. There are also spectacular Christmas trees to see, holiday events a short drive from Sydney and more. Check out some of our favourite ways to make the most of this festive season.
Please note, not all Christmas events have confirmed dates for 2023 yet. This article will be updated regularly with more details once the dates are finalised.
1. Grab one-of-a-kind presents at these festive markets
Sydney is home to a number of exciting Christmas markets, each offering holiday vibes and unique goods in abundance. Get your fill of festive treats, baked goods, giftware, seasonal produce and a lot more at the following markets.
🛍️ Le Jolly Market
🛍️ Martin Place Christmas Market
🛍️ Night Food Markets
🛍️ Good Food and Wine Christmas market
🛍️ The Finders Keepers
🛍️ The Rocks December Market
🛍️ Sydney Fish Market 36-Hour Seafood Marathon
🛍️ The Ultimate Christmas Market EQ
🛍️ The Shire Christmas Market
🛍️Mosman Christmas Night Market
🛍️ Sydney Vegan Market
🛍️ The Pittwater Christmas Market
🛍️ Kirribilli Markets
🛍️ Artisan Christmas Market Glebe
🛍️ The Very Merry Southern Christmas Market
2. Be mesmerised by Christmas at the Cathedral
Christmas in Sydney is incomplete without a trip to St Mary’s Cathedrel. The light display at the Cathedral is back with scintillating light shows and projections telling the story of Christmas, food stalls, markets, Christmas trees and live entertainment. The event is on until December 25, 7pm onwards.
3. Road trip to the Hunter Valley for this glittering light display
The Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens is a holiday essential and for good reason. In the 14 hectares of garden space, visitors will find a stunning light show filled with Christmas trees, rides, holiday treats and so much more. The light show is on until late January 2024. Get more information here.
4. Discover a miniature Christmas village in The Rocks
The Rocks is going small in size but big on impact with its adorable miniature Christmas village. Look a little closer and you’ll find replicas of some iconic institutions in The Rocks including The Argyle, The Tea Cosy, Squidinki and more. Aside from the Christmas village, a number of other festivities are taking place in the historic neighbourhood.
🎥 Free Christmas movies at Laneway Cinema — Every Wednesday at 7pm.
🎀 The Rocks Market, Christmas Edition
5. Take a stroll down a ridiculously festive laneway at The Grounds
The Grounds unveiled its Christmas installation and it’s giving all the holiday vibes. The Insta-famous venue has been decked out with every festive decoration imaginable. There are actual gingerbread houses, giant candy canes, Christmas trees and of course, their renowned specialty coffee. Please note, that the installation is only open for dining customers at The Grounds or guests invited to a private event.
6. Celebrate Christmas at Darling Harbour
Expect a vibrant Christmas program at Darling Harbour complete with giant baubles, food trucks and rousing fireworks. Plus a number of surrounding venues are joining in and bringing some holly jolly cheer to the city. Some events to watch out for include:
🎄 The Harbour Village — 10am – 2pm each Saturday and Sunday in December.
🎅 Christmas Bauble — November 21 to December 26.
🎄 Christmas Fireworks — Fridays 8, 15 and 22 December at 9pm and Saturdays 2, 9, 16 and 23 December at 9pm.
7. See the most famous Christmas tree in NSW
The largest Christmas tree in NSW will once again enchant visitors from Saturday, November 25 to Wednesday, December 27. The giant Christmas tree is decorated with 110,000 LED lights, a 3.4-metre star and over 300 specially created festive baubles.
8. Sing your heart out at Woolworths’ Carols in the Domain
Sydney holiday favourite Woolworths’ Carols in the Domain is returning this year with heaps of festive fun and cheerful carols on the cards. Join in on the fun on Saturday, December 16. This is also their 41st anniversary so celebrations will be huge with a host of Aussie talent taking to the stage including Paulini Curuenavuli, Lucy Durack and David Berry.
8. Watch Love Actually in concert
With December around the corner, it’s time for our annual rewatch of Love Actually. Only this time, you can level up your movie night by watching Love Actually in Concert — complete with a live orchestra playing the movie’s songs on stage. Catch the show at the ICC, on December 16 at 3.30pm. Tickets are on sale now.
9. Shop at this French Christmas Village
The team that brought the hugely popular Bastille Festival to town is returning with another Frenchified experience called Le Jolly Market especially for Christmas. There’s cosy wood huts, jazz music, lots of cheesy foods and shopping from December 15 to 22. Get the details.
10. Check out Darling Square’s Christmas activation
Darling Square’s famous light tunnel will be back for Christmas along with weekly fireworks, delicious Christmas treats, Pixar Putt and visits from Santa himself. Plus a number of crowd favourite eateries will be dishing out festive eats including Auvers, Messina Gelato, Toastie Smith and Wingboy.
11. Plan a date night at this Christmas-themed Candlelight Concert
Candlelight is back this time for a festive iteration. Enjoy your favourite Christmas classics surrounded by candlelight this December. From timeless classics to Christmas movie soundtracks, get treated to beloved Christmas pop songs and carols at a dreamy concert.
12. Celebrate Christmas at Sydney Zoo
Sydney Zoo is swinging open its doors for a huge Christmas event that includes everything from a magical snow land, an elf craft village, millions of lights, rides, festive treats and even a roller skating rink. Visitors will also have access to the zoo where they can see a number of animals up close. Head here for more information and ticket details.
13. Say hi to Santa on top of the Harbour Bridge
Take an unforgettable photo with Santa on the Sydney Harbour Bridge every Sunday morning until December 24. Book your tickets for the ultimate Sydney Christmas photo, 134 metres above sea level and with the Sydney harbour in the background.
14. Shop from the Sydney Vegan Market’s festive edition
The Sydney Vegan Market will return for its final iteration in 2023 and they’re going out in style. Expect over 100 stalls filled with vegan food, homewares and jewelry along with free yoga, live music and face painting. The event returns to Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday, December 17 from 9am-4pm. Keep an eye on their website for updates.
15. See these stunning neighbourhood light displays
From Bondi to Castle Hill, Sydney will be decked out with some incredible light displays. Find giant inflatables, snow and smoke shows, projections and more in some of Sydney’s brightest streets all of December.
Please note that the dates for some of these light displays are yet to be revealed.
16. Head to the QVB for a festive program
The Queen Victoria Building is celebrating Christmas with carols, light displays, shopping and a high tea with Santa at the Tea Room QVB. The historic building is also going to house Australia’s largest indoor Christmas tree designed in collaboration with the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative. See the full program here.
17. Explore these magical Christmas markets near Sydney
Keen for a change of scenery in the lead up to the holidays? A number of charming small towns near Sydney are hosting Christmas markets with seasonal gifts, food trucks, entertainment and more. See the full list here.
18. Watch The Holiday in concert
Another Christmas classic to get you in the mood for the season is coming to town with a live orchestra. The Holiday will be screened at the ICC in Darling Harbour on December 23 with the famous soundtrack from the movie performed alongside. Get your tickets.
19. Take a selfie at this exclusive Christmas studio
If curating your feed with the perfect Instagram image is always on your mind, Mimmynvovo’s pop-up selfie studio needs to be your go-to spot this Christmas. With multiple rooms available for hire and an excellent choice of backgrounds available, they’re on a quest to make it “A December To Remember.