The streets are sparkling with holiday lights and the festive atmosphere has put a spring in our step. From fascinating exhibitions and immersive events to twinkling light displays, nostalgic art crawls, and dazzling musicals, Sydney is wrapping up 2024 in style. The holiday season is packed with something for everyone, whether you’re a cultural connoisseur, a foodie, or a music buff. Highlights include the French-inspired Le Jolly Christmas market, the remarkable Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru exhibition, Love Actually in concert and much more. Here are some of the most exciting things to do this December in Sydney.
1. Say bonjour to the Le Jolly Christmas market
The beloved Le Jolly Market will return this December with 9 dreamy days of shopping, live jazz music, snow flurries, authentic wood huts, and all the French flair you could wish for. You’ll find a delightful selection of goods to shop for including jewellery, toys, cheeses, Christmas snow globes, clothing, organic tea, and French gourmet goods. Read more about the festive Christmas market here.
2. Celebrate Christmas at St Mary’s Cathedral
One of Sydney’s favourite holiday traditions, Christmas at the Cathedral is returning from December 12 to 25 with joyful treats and festive fun for all. Captivating projections, food trucks, Christmas carols and markets are all on the agenda this year. Head here for the details.
3. Shop at the Martin Place Christmas Markets
The festive season is off to a sparkling start with the return of the popular Martin Place Christmas Markets. This November and December, browse a wonderful selection of Christmas goods, toys, accessories, and clothes and feast on delicious holiday treats. The markets will be held on December 1 from 11am to 9pm and then on December 5-7, 12-14, and 19-21 from 11am to 9pm. Get more info here.
4. Go on a trip to Machu Picchu
Get transported to the ancient landscapes of Peru with a fascinating new exhibition at the Australian Museum. “Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru” exhibition offers an immersive journey into the rich and fascinating history of ancient Peru with remarkable artefacts, amazing gold collections, VR experiences, and more. Book your tickets.
5. See all the Christmas light displays
Some truly brilliant Christmas light displays will take over the city. From hotels to churches, streets and shops, Sydney is drenched in glowing light and colour for Christmas. These are the must-visit spots to see Christmas lights in Sydney this year.
✨Martin Place Christmas Tree
✨Canopy of Light, Pitt Street
✨Queen Victoria Building, Town Hall
✨Darling Harbour
✨The Golden Tunnel, Darling Square
✨Christmas Lights Spectacular, Hunter Valley Gardens
✨The Rocks
✨The Grounds
Find more mesmerising light displays around Sydney here.
6. Have a sugarplum Christmas at The Grounds
The Grounds of Alexandria is known for its enchanting installations and this year they’ve brought the Nutcracker’s “Sugar Plum Fairy” to life with a display that’s bursting with pink magic. Look forward to towering ballet-themed Christmas trees, cheerful snowmen, glowing laneways, and much more in one of the most Instagrammable places in town.
7. Make the most of some Twixmas deals
That strange part of the year between Christmas and New Year is being brightened up by deals on Fever’s hottest experiences, so you can book now and enjoy later! Here’s what’s on offer:
🌙 Horizon of Khufu – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20
🍽 Dining in the Dark: A Unique Blindfolded Dining Experience at Beast&Co. – 15% with the code TWIXMAS15
🍽 Dining in the Dark: A Unique Blindfolded Dining Experience at Capriccio Osteria – 15% with the code TWIXMAS15
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to A.R. Rahman – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Joe Hisaishi – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Metallica – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift – 20% off with the code TWIXMAS20
8. Enjoy Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain returns on Saturday, December 21 with some of Australia’s biggest stars coming together for a huge Christmas celebration. This year’s line-up includes The Wiggles, Samantha Jade, Hugh Sheridan, Budjera and more. Get more information here.
9. Get into the holiday spirit with Love Actually in Concert
What better way to welcome the festive season than taking in some classic Christmas cinema? This December you can elevate the experience and watch Love Actually with a live orchestra on December 21 at the ICC. The Christmas staple is still super rewatchable — and even better with a live orchestra playing the movie’s memorable soundtrack. Book your tickets here.
10. Have a jolly good time at Elf: The Musical
Experience the festive delight — and the Australian premiere — of Elf: The Musical, a heartwarming production based on the beloved holiday film starring Will Ferrell. Follow the journey of Buddy, a young orphan raised at the North Pole, who embarks on a quest to find his birth father in New York City in this brand-new stage production that promises to fill the Opera House’s Concert Hall with joy and holiday spirit, as well as a sack full of catchy songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. Find out more here.
11. Enjoy a movie under the stars at Moonlight Cinema
Moonlight Cinema is always one of the hottest tickets in town when each edition rolls around, and it’s back in town this month for its summer 24-25 season. Christmas enthusiasts will find heaps of holiday classics to fuel their excitement for the season with the December line-up which includes the likes of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Home Alone and more, alongside new releases like Gladiator II and Wicked. Check out the website for the full program.
13. See The Holiday with a live orchestra
Can’t get enough of Christmas classics? The Holiday will screen in Sydney this December alongside a live orchestra playing the iconic soundtrack. The screening will take place at the Darling Harbour Theatre on December 14. Book your tickets here.
14. Get in the festive spirit at The Rocks
The cobblestone laneways of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood have transformed into a twinkly wonderland for Christmas and you can enjoy the fun right up until (and even on) Christmas day. There are markets, Christmas trees, a miniature village and a lot more to explore. See the full program here.
15. See a surreal Magritte exhibition
René Magritte produced some of the most iconic artworks of the 20th-century surrealist movement, unveiling the mystery and poetry in everyday objects and scenes. The exhibition Magritte is now on at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and features over 100 exemplary artworks in what is, remarkably, the first-ever Magritte retrospective in Australia. Book your tickets here.
16. Step back in time at Dinos Alive
Transport yourself into the age of the dinosaurs, when massive, awe-inspiring creatures roamed the Earth. From the towering giants to the ferocious predators, at the immersive Dinos Alive you’ll come face to face with the prehistoric titans that once dominated our planet. Find out more here.
17. Shop at Carriageworks’ Christmas Market
Carriageworks’ popular Christmas market is returning for one day of food, produce and artisanal gifts on Saturday, December 21. The markets are a huge celebration of all things local and you’re likely to find all your Christmas needs at this giant shopping event. Get the details here.
18. Amplify your taste buds with Dining in the Dark
Have you ever had dinner blindfolded? At the unique Dining in the Dark experience, you can look forward to a delicious 3-course menu at Leichhardt Italian restaurant Capriccio Osteria, in complete darkness. Get your tickets here.
19. Check out Darling Harbour’s Christmas program
Darling Harbour is also embracing the Christmas spirit with a dazzling array of festivities that include a floating Christmas tree, fireworks, a festive harbour village, and live entertainment headlined by Anthony Callea and Samantha Jade. The celebrations are underway and continue through to Christmas day — check out everything that’s happening here.
20. Join this 36-hour seafood extravaganza
Did you know the Sydney Fish Market is the largest market of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere? It’s also famous for its 36-hour seafood marathon where the market stays open non-stop from 5am on December 23 until 5pm on Christmas Eve. Find more information here.
21. Visit the most famous Christmas tree in NSW
The Martin Place Christmas tree will make its highly anticipated return, shining brighter than ever from November 28 to January 3. Sydney’s most popular Christmas tree is decked out in thousands of twinkling LEDs, over 300 oversized baubles, and topped with a dazzling, colour-changing star and it’s a must-visit during the holiday season.
22. Celebrate Christmas at the QVB
The QVB is full of festive cheer this Christmas season, featuring NSW’s largest Christmas tree. Standing tall at 20 meters, the tree is inspired by the Wollemi Pine and features First Nations art, celebrating Australia’s cultural heritage. Visitors can look forward to choirs every Thursday and on weekends, shop from luxury boutiques decked out in lights, take part in Christmas History Tours, and have high tea with Santa. Find the full program here.
23. Get delighted by the Hunter Valley Christmas lights
Get whisked away to a magical place with over 4 million dazzling lights on display at the Hunter Valley Christmas Spectacular. The most stunning holiday display in the Southern Hemisphere comes with a light sequence set to music, a massive bauble tree, and plenty of festive photo opportunities. You can see the lights until January 2023. Get your tickets here.
24. Check out the Horizon of Khufu exhibition
Step into Ancient Egypt with this fascinating VR experience that takes you back in time to the reign of King Khufu. Explore the fascinatingpyramids, uncover the secrets of Egypt’s golden age, and witness history unfold in a whole new lights with cutting-edge technology.The interactive experience will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park throughout December. Get your tickets.
25. Head to Sunset Cinema in Bondi
One of our favourite outdoor cinemas has returned for summer and it’s promising plenty of fun by the beach. Sunset Cinema will run until December 21 with classics like Love Actually, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Holiday and new releases like Wicked, Gladiator 2 and more. The cinema also has a licensed bar and fresh popcorn. Get your tickets on Sunset Cinema.
26. Watch your favourite Christmas movies under the stars
The Rock’s super charming outdoor cinema is a popular weeknight staple. The free-for-all cinema hosts weekly movie nights at the beautiful cobblestone laneway of Atherden Street and they’re back again just in time for summer. The December program has not been released yet but they’ve traditionally screened crowd-favourite Christmas staples. Head to the website for more.
27. Enjoy sunset sessions at Q Station
Enjoy the long, balmy summer evenings in Sydney at Q Station where you can enjoy live music, drinks and food while watching a dreamy sunset over the Sydney Harbour. Stay updated on December sessions here.
28. Glam up for the NYE Opera Gala
Ring in the New Year in style at the Opera House. Start the evening with drinks and stunning views of Sydney Harbour, then enjoy an unforgettable opera gala featuring talented arias. During the interval, you can enjoy the 9pm fireworks light up the sky, and after the performance, keep the celebration going with canapés, drinks, live entertainment and a breathtaking view of the midnight fireworks. Get your tickets on the Opera House website.
29. Enjoy Art After Hours
Did you know the Art Gallery of New South Wales stays open late for Art After Hours on Wednesday nights? Discover the exhibitions by night, join a tour, head to one of the talks and performances and more. The art gallery is open until 10pm every week. Find more information here.
30. See Home Alone in Concert
Another Christmas classic getting the live concert treatment this holiday season is Home Alone. The beloved Christmas flick will be screened live at the Opera House on December 5, 6, 7 and 8 with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs performing the soundtrack live. Get your tickets here.