Countdown is on for a sparkling Sydney Christmas

Posted .

With celebrity performances, a giant street party and concerts across the city, more people than ever will enjoy celebrating Christmas in Sydney.

The City of Sydney will kick off this year's festive season on Saturday 23 November when the heart of the city is transformed into a festive playground from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Now in its second year, Christmas in the City will take over streets from Martin Place to Pitt Street Mall, allowing more people to celebrate.

"Christmas is a wonderful time of year and it's best celebrated with friends, family and a big community - so I'm thrilled to invite residents and visitors from all over the world to join the festivities in Sydney," Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

"Sydney Christmas is unique. Our days are warm, our nights are long, and with village concerts, markets and of course the Martin Place tree, there's something for everyone.

"Our opening event, Christmas in the City, has become so popular that this year we've added more stages and roving performances so even more people can join the fun."

The Christmas in the City street party will feature several stages with live music and celebrity performers, roaming entertainers, choirs, lights, decorations, a dancefloor and fireworks.

The state's tallest Christmas tree, decked with giant beach balls, 110,000 LED lights and 15,000 flowers, will be the centrepiece with a sound and light show every 15 minutes from 7.30pm to midnight.

Pitt Street Mall will sparkle under a canopy of two metre-tall stars and 85,000 lights, while shoppers can take advantage of late-night trading at major retailers and pop-up outlets.

Following the opening night, festivities will continue through to Christmas, with concerts and attractions spreading cheer across the city and villages.

Sydneysiders and visitors can enjoy five free concerts at Prince Alfred Park (30 November), Rosebery (1 December), Rushcutters Bay (6 December), Pyrmont (7 December) and Alexandria (13 December). Each concert will run from 6.30pm to 8.30pm with guest appearances by Santa and a fireworks finale.

This year, Green Square will play host to the city's first Christmas fair. From 6pm to 10pm, the plaza will become a festive wonderland with Christmas markets, music, lights, food and entertainment.

All events will offer $5 Santa stockings filled with goodies, and funds raised will go to the City's Christmas charity partner, Surf Life Saving NSW.

Choirs will perform every Thursday to Sunday from 28 November, and on 23 and 24 December at the Martin Place Christmas tree. Visitors can also enjoy treats from GPO Grand's Dessert Bar, which will offer festive-themed sweets, gelato, coffee and drinks daily from 23 November to 27 December.

For all the dates and details, visit sydneychristmas.com.au

For media inquiries or images, contact Elaine Kelly. Phone 0477 362 550 or email ekelly@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Julia Lenton. Phone 0410 748 039 or email jlenton@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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