Things to do

Your guide to what’s on this Christmas

Here are the highlights of Sydney’s festivities, from Santa’s arrival to light displays and concerts

Christmas tree in the city

The Martin Place Christmas tree

See the Martin Place Christmas tree sparkle, with a different choir singing carols every night.

It's the tallest Christmas tree in NSW. This year its dressed with more than 110,000 LED lights and 15,000 Australian flowers.

Santa photo booth

Get a festive photo with Santa and your friends or family at his photo booth in Martin Place. Image: City of Sydney / Chris Southwood
Get a festive photo with Santa and your friends or family at his photo booth in Martin Place. Image: City of Sydney / Chris Southwood

Santa's elves worked around the clock to design his house in Martin Place where he will stay for December. In fact, Santa himself has requested that we extend an open invitation to all of you (and your pets), to his workshop for a magical photo session.

Santa photos, pet photos and sensitive sessions available.

9am - 9pm

30 November to 24 December

Closes at 6pm on 30 November

Christmas Village concerts

Christmas Concert in Glebe
Christmas Concert in Glebe

Dust off your reindeer ears, put on your party shoes and kick off Christmas at our free concert series across Sydney.

Upcoming concerts are happening in Rushcutters Bay, Glebe and Alexandria. Performers include Sydney Philharmonia Choir, Justine Clarke and The Listies.

Christmas Sensory Tent
Christmas Sensory Tent

Accessibility and inclusivity initiatives have been designed to ensure Christmas concerts can be enjoyed by all this year - including Sing Along Slide Shows with on-screen captioning and The Sensory Tent (Glebe and Alexandria locations) - an educational and inclusive marquee designed especially for individuals with sensory sensitivities, to enhance their concert experience.

6pm - 8pm

8 December to 10 December

For all things that sparkle around the city

Christmas decorations
Christmas decorations

NSW’s tallest Christmas tree, will be decked out with over 300 baubles and tower above Martin Place. Explore lights and decorations across the city centre, including Sydney Town Hall, Customs House, Hyde Park, St Mary's Cathedral and the David Jones windows on Elizabeth Street. You can also walk under a Canopy of Light and view Christmas projections at QVB and the Woolworths building across from Sydney Town Hall.

Download the Sydney Culture Walks app to discover the Christmas lights and decorations walk. Available in the App Store or on Google Play.

Martin Place choirs rejoice

Christmas Choirs in Martin Place
Christmas Choirs in Martin Place

Enjoy various choirs performing throughout December, filling Sydney’s streets with carols and music. See them live each evening in Martin Place together with a kaleidoscope of colour and lights.

6pm-8pm

Daily from Friday 1 December to Sunday 24 December

Christmas at Town Hall

Christmas at Town Hall
Christmas at Town Hall

Sydney Town Hall bursts into music with an evening of carols, festive music, readings and pageantry.

Tickets are selling fast for the much-loved Town Hall event.

8pm - 9.30pm

20 December

Martin Place Christmas Markets come to life

Christmas in the city
Christmas in the city

The Christmas markets in Martin Place will be a highlight on weekends and Thursdays to Saturdays in December, finishing on 23 December with a variety of delicious global food stalls and handmade Christmas gifts.

11am – 8pm

7-9, 14-16, 21-23 December

Want more?

Find the full program of Sydney Christmas events.

The City of Sydney is proud to support the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation this festive season. Donate to support hospital wards, research labs and patient care programs for sick kids.

Published 22 November 2023, updated 3 January 2024

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