The Most Festive Christmas Events in Sydney 2023

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Christmas in Sydney is a seriously magical time of the year, and while we don't have snow, our gorgeous city still transforms into a magical wonderland!

Make the most of Christmas in Sydney in 2023 by adding the best Christmas events to your festive calendar. Merry merry!

The Most Festive Christmas Events in Sydney 2023

1. Taronga Christmas Concert

Kick off the festive season and kick up your heels at the Taronga Christmas Concert. Relax with a picnic in the enchanting grounds of Taronga Zoo, with breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, and enjoy a magical summer night of family-friendly entertainment, with a special guest all the way from the North Pole!

Gather your family and friends and embrace the holiday spirit at a special event filled with Christmas cheer and festive fun, all whilst contributing to the conservation of wildlife. Plus, get an exclusive 10% discount on tickets with our unique code.

Where:   Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman
When:    16 December 2023
Cost:      $29 per adult, $24 for children aged 4-15, children under four FREE

2. BridgeClimb Santa at the Summit

Experience one of Sydney's most spectacular activities with a festive twist! BridgeClimb is an unforgettable family adventure that will take you 134 metres above sea level. This summer, your uninterrupted 360-degree views of Sydney come with a special bonus - Santa is coming to the Summit for the ultimate Christmas photo!

Every Sunday morning from 5 November to 24 December 2023, climbers can pose for a happy snap with the big man himself atop the arches of our most iconic landmark, to the soundtrack of sing-a-long Christmas tunes, so prepare to take the festive season to epic new heights!

Where:      BridgeClimb Sydney, 3 Cumberland St, The Rocks
When:       Any Sunday Climb between 5 November and 24 December 2023
Cost:         Climb prices start at $344 for Adults and $149 for Children

RELATED:
Where to go for an Awesome Santa Photo in 2023

3. Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular

Featuring a breathtaking display of over 4 million Christmas lights, the Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular promises to dazzle the entire family as you wander through meticulously themed gardens brimming with enchanting Christmas light exhibits.

There will be plenty of entertainment on hand, from roaming performers to thrilling amusement rides, not to mention a variety of food and beverages. Families have the chance to soak in the stunning vistas of Hunter Valley Gardens and the picturesque countryside from a towering 25 metres up on the Ferris Wheel. For thrill-seekers, the Swing Chair or Superslide promise plenty of fun, while the Venetian Carousel and Tea Cup ride are gentler options for younger kids.

Where:     Hunter Valley Gardens, 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin
When:      Friday 3 November 2023 - Sunday 28 January 2024
                 Open daily from 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm | Rides from 6 pm to 10 pm
Cost:        Night Passes:
                 Adult $38 | Child  $28 | Family passes from $88 | Under 3s FREE
                 Day/Night Passes: 
                 Adult $55 | Child  $44 | Family passes from $129 | Under 3s FREE

4. Christmas Animal Kingdom at Sydney Zoo

 

Immerse yourself in an enchanting Snow Land adventure, enjoy a thrilling giant snow slide, take a sweet escape to Candyland send a letter to the North Pole at Mrs. Claus' Post Office. There is so much world of festive cheer to discover at the all-new Christmas Animal Kingdom taking over Sydney Zoo at Eastern Creek.

To celebrate the festive season, Sydney Zoo will be magically transformed into a Christmas wonderland for a month of family fun from 24 November, with millions of twinkling lights, captivating Christmas displays, a menagerie of 4,000 animals, live entertainment, and a host of free activities. Don't miss this super special event. 

Where:      Sydney Zoo, 700 Great Western Highway, Eastern Creek
When:       24 November - 24 December 2023
Cost:         $44.99 per adult, $29.99 per child (aged 3 - 15 years)

5 Sydney Christmas: City of Sydney's Festive Events

Celebrate Christmas time in the heart of our spectacular city with a series of magical Sydney Christmas events presented by City Of Sydney.

Martin Place will kick off the festive celebrations on the opening weekend and remain abuzz throughout the festival with a kaleidoscope of colour and light, entertainment, a market and delicious food. Santa will light the tallest Christmas tree in NSW in a special event on 30 November and Choirs in the City will sing carols every night from 1 December until Christmas Eve. Pitt Street Mall will also be spreading the festive cheer for shoppers! 

Plus, don't miss the series of free family-friendly Community Christmas Concerts in Sydney's lively inner-city neighbourhoods of Pyrmont, Surry Hills, Rosebery, Rushcutters Bay, Glebe and Alexandria.

Where:   Martin Place, Pitt St Mall and throughout the City of Sydney local area
When:    25 November - 24 December 2023
Cost:      General admission is  FREE

6. Gingerbread House Decorating Classes at Novotel Sydney Central

Indulge in the magic of the festive season with some delicious fun at the hugely popular and absolutely scrumptious Gingerbread House Decorating Classes at Novotel Sydney Central.

Little foodies from 4 years old can explore their culinary creativity, unleash their imaginations and satisfy their sweet tooth with a hands-on experience sprinkled with joy and delight. The experience includes the Gingerbread house decorating class and decorating kit plus a personalised 'Santa's Little Helper' award certificate and refreshments for kids and parents. They can also take their creations home to share with the family. Don't miss this sweet opportunity!

Where:   Novotel Sydney Central, 169 - 179 Thomas St, Sydney
When:    Fridays and Saturdays from 8 - 23rd December |1 pm - 2 pm
Cost:     $75 per child per class 

7. Woolworths Carols in the Domain

One of our favourite Christmas events in Sydney, Woolworths Carols in the Domain is returning in 2023 to celebrate its 41st year!

Mark Saturday, 16 December 2023 in your diaries to celebrate Christmas with the stars at the 41st Woolworths Carols in the Domain. As per usual, the Carols will be a star-studded event with Australia’s finest talents taking to the stage. For those who can’t make the event, you can watch it on Friday 23 December at 7.30 pm on Channel 7 and 7plus

Where:   The Domain
When:    Saturday 16 December 2023 | 1 - 11 pm
Cost:      From $25 for reserved seats, or you can head to the free general admission Festive Lawn precinct and bring your own picnic.

8. Lights of Christmas at St Mary's Cathedral

As far as Christmas events in Sydney go, few are as iconic as the Lights of Christmas at St Mary's Cathedral.

In true Christmas at St Mary's Cathedral style, the facade of Sydney's grand cathedral will be aglow with magical lights set to music, plus, there will be more yuletide festivities with market stalls, plenty of food, activities for the kids, live entertainment, vivid light projections and more. 

The entertainment usually kicks off at 7.30 pm with choir performances, and the illuminations begin at 8.30 pm. 

Where:    St Mary's Cathedral Square, College Street, Sydney
When:     14 to 25 December 2023 from 5.30 to 10.30 pm
Cost:       FREE

9. Christmas Wonderlanes at The Rocks

Step inside a whimsical Christmas wonderland as everyone's favourite Christmas Wonderlanes returns to The Rocks for Christmas in Sydney 2023!

From magical Wonderlanes to live entertainment, Christmas markets, food festivals, immersive exhibitions, Yuletide shopping and more, Christmas at The Rocks is the place to be to celebrate 2023. The festivities will be kicking off in November this year and carry on right up to Christmas Day. 

Where:    The Rocks
When:     From 13 November to 25 December 2023 
Cost:       FREE entry

10. Love Actually in Concert

If Christmas simply isn't Christmas without watching Love Actually, then you're in luck this year!

Love Actually in Concert is coming to Sydney in 2023 to make the festive season a pretty romantic one. Here's your chance to see all the romance unfold like never before, with a live orchestra performing the evocative hit soundtrack live with the film being projected onto a huge screen.

Where:   ICC Sydney
When:    16 December at 3.30 pm
Cost:      From $100

11. The Australian Chamber Orchestra presents The Nutcracker

Another one of the top Christmas events in Sydney for 2023 for those who love live music, The Australian Chamber Orchestra's The Nutcracker is the perfect family-friendly event for the festive season.

The true spirit of Christmas awaits at The Australian Chamber Orchestra as audiences join Clara and her Nutcracker on a magical journey in this stunning adaptation featuring live classical music and ballet created in collaboration with David McAllister.

Where:  Australian Chamber Orchestra, Suite 3, 13A Hickson Road, Dawes Point
When:   16-22 December 2023
Cost:     $35.00. Babes-in-arms FREE

12. Gingerbread Lanes at The Grounds of Alexandria

They've done it again! The Grounds of Alexandria's festive installations are always one of the most highly-anticipated Christmas events in Sydney and 2023 is no exception!

Gingerbread Lanes at The Grounds of Alexandria is bringing a touch of nostalgia to their iconic laneways with, you guessed it, Gingerbread Houses. Bursting with festive cheer, Gingerbread Lanes features gingerbread houses with sugary gumdrop roofs, cobblestone streets, gingerbread folks that come to life, and a whole lot more. Don't miss it!

Where:      The Grounds of Alexandria, 7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria
When:       2 November to 25 December 2023

13. Hop on Santa’s Vintage Electric Train 

Get ready to go for a ride with the man in red himself on Santa's Vintage Electric Train!

Transport Heritage NSW is running two heritage train rides for Christmas this year, the Santa Steam Train AND Sydney's Santa Train. Train enthusiasts and Santa fans won't want to miss riding aboard a heritage Red Set F1 along Sydney's train networks. And for those who don't mind a longer journey, you can visit the NSW Rail Museum with a 40-minute steam train ride with Santa.

Where:    Select Sydney train stations to be announced
When:     From 25 November 2023
Cost:       Adults $30 and kids $15 per ride.

14. Santa's Workshop of Wonder at David Jones

Santa and his elves are making a special visit to David Jones this year and bringing with them Santa's Workshop of Wonder.

Pop into David Jones in the Sydney CBD for one of the best free Christmas events in Sydney for 2023. Santa photos experiences, festive performers, pop-up bars, Christmas treats, visits with the Man in Red and plenty more will be on the agenda in true elegant David Jones style!

Where:   86-108 Castlereagh St, Sydney
When:    Saturday 4 November to Friday 22 December 2023
Cost:      FREE

15. The Wiggles’ Wiggly Big Day Out Tour 2023

Things are getting extra Wiggly this Christmas in Sydney as the Wiggles are bringing their Wiggly Big Day Out Tour to Sydney in December!

Book your seats for a very festive day with The Wiggles as your favourite singing and dancing team perform all their hits, including "Rock-a-Bye Your Bear," "Hot Potato," "Fruit Salad," along with new favourites like "Getting Strong," and "Hey Tsehay!" They'll be joined by their Wiggly friends, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Captain Feathersword, and Shirley Shawn the Unicorn. And in true Wiggles tradition, the jolly man in red from the North Pole will make a special appearance!

Where:    Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney and Aware Super Theatre (ICC Sydney)
When:     Saturday 16 December and Saturday 23 December 2023
Cost:       From $39

16. Tinseltown Sydney

Ho-Ho-Hold my drink - Tinseltown is back in Sydney!

One of the most festive Christmas events in Sydney, Tinseltown is unlike any Christmas bar you've ever seen. Come along and oggle at the hundreds of Christmas baubles, tinsel, string lights, ornaments, and, of course, Christmas food and drinks!

Dress in your Christmas finest and boogie the night away to your favourite anthems while sipping on delicious mulled wine and other goodies. Please note that evening sessions are for over 18s, but there are family-friendly sessions available during the day. No grinches allowed!

Where:      Secret location to be confirmed
When:       1 to 30 December 2023
Cost:         Prices start from $16.50 for a 90-minute session.

17. Christmas Markets

Christmas in Sydney just isn't Christmas without a little market shopping!

From the famous Mosman Christmas Night Markets to the Hawkesbury Country Markets, Carriagewoks Christmas Markets, and Christmas at The Rocks, there are loads of festive Christmas markets popping up in Sydney this season. 

Where:  All across Sydney
When:   From November 2023
Cost:     FREE

18. Moonlight Cinema

Add watching Christmas movies under the stars to your December itinerary, as Moonlight Cinema is coming back to Sydney in December with a stellar lineup of Christmas movies to catch from the comfort of Centennial Park. 

Where:      Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park
When:       From December 2023
Cost:         General Admission $20 | Cinebuzz members $18 | Gold Grass $41 |
                  Family Pass  $65

19. Christmas Day Lunch

If you're keen to put your feet up and let someone else take over the cooking this silly season, indulge in an utterly delectable Christmas lunch in Sydney.

Restaurants all across the city are dishing up incredible meals from festive menus this season, and bookings are now open! 

Where:  Multiple venues across the city
When:   25 December 2023 - bookings are now open.

Want More Christmas Cheer?

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