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 2025 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 delightful Jolly Christmas market, the fascinating 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 hello to the Jolly Christmas market
The beloved Le Jolly Market will return this December with 11 dreamy days of shopping, live jazz music, delicious wine, authentic wood huts, and all the festive 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 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 17 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 4-6, 11-13, and 18-20 from 11am to 9.30pm. Get more info here.
4. Go on a trip to Machu Picchu
Get transported to the ancient landscapes of Peru with a fascinating exhibition at the Fever Pavilion at Sydney Showground. “Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City” 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 jolly Christmas at The Grounds
The Grounds turns into something special every festive season, and this year’s set up is no difference. The Instagrammable space has been transformed with bold red tartan, glowing lights, ribbon details, and plenty of festive touches throughout. The display is now open for those dining in and will run for the full holiday period. Make a reservation here.
7. Celebrate Christmas at Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is turning up the festive energy with a free Christmas celebration taking over Cockle Bay on Saturday, December 6. Expect live music, surprise performances on the water, a high-speed Santa appearance, and a fireworks finale over the harbour. Best of all, it’s completely free. Find more information here.
8. Enjoy Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain returns on Saturday, December 20 with some of Australia’s biggest stars coming together for a huge Christmas celebration. This year’s line-up includes The Wiggles, Marcia Hines, 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 20 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. Be dazzled by a Candlelight Concert
Attend one of Sydney’s beautiful Candlelight concerts and get lost in a number of familiar tunes this November. Tickets are available for tribute shows to Taylor Swift, Joe Hisaishi, Queen, and more.
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA
🕯️Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Queen
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
🕯️Candlelight: Best of Fleetwood Mac
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Arijit Singh
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
🕯️Candlelight: The World of Joe Hisaishi
🕯️Candlelight: Featuring Mozart, Bach, and Timeless Composers
🕯️Candlelight: Christmas Movie Soundtracks
🕯️Candlelight: Tribute to A.R. Rahman
🕯️Candlelight Holiday Special: A Night of Christmas Classics
🕯️Candlelight Christmas Special: A Night of Christmas Classics
11. Check out this new exhibition at the AGNSW
The Art Gallery of NSW has welcomed a major new exhibition showcasing Ron Mueck‘s striking sculptures up close. Created in extraordinary detail and rarely seen in Australia, the works explore scale, emotion, and what it means to be human in a powerful, immersive way. Get your tickets here.
12. 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 25-26 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, Elf, Home Alone and more, alongside new releases like Wicked: For Good. 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 dates and venue are yet to be released, watch this space for updates and join the waitlist 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. Shop at Carriageworks’ Christmas Market
Carriageworks’ popular Christmas market is returning for one day of food, produce and artisanal gifts on Saturday, December 20. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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 27 to January 4. 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.
18. 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 a Christmas concert on December 18, shop from luxury boutiques decked out in lights, and enjoy a festive Santa experience. Find the full program here.
19. 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 2026. Get your tickets here.
20. 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.
21. 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 20 with classics like Love Actually, Home Alone, The Holiday and new releases like Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, The Running Man and more. The cinema also has a licensed bar and fresh popcorn. Get your tickets on Sunset Cinema.
22. 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 will include movies like Bridget Jones Diary, About A Boy and The Holiday. Find more information here.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. 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.