Experience the magic of the holiday season with family-friendly Christmas events in Sydney! If you’re planning a festive trip to Sydney in the lead up to Christmas 2024, check out our big list of events and activities.
From sparkling Christmas lights to lively concerts, festive Christmas movies, and vibrant events and experiences, there are plenty of Christmas events for everyone in the family. We’ve handpicked a selection that kids will love, along with some special events perfect for adults. You’ll find both free and ticketed events, so there’s something to suit every budget and style of celebration!
Wundrful World Of Christmas Immersive Experience
Enjoy an immersive animated adventure to the North Pole. The Wundrful World Of Christmas is a magical, mixed reality walk through experience for all the family. Begin your journey by stepping through the Wundr Door and be transported by your trusty elf pilot on a magical journey to the snow filled North. Marvel at reindeers in their paddock and busy elves at their tools in Santa’s workshop. Your journey will be guided by a cast of original animated characters brought to life using the latest in CGI technology combined with real life actors and interactive theatrical set and scenery.
Dates: 1 November – 24 December 2024
Time: Various times
Location: Wundr Store, 31 Market Street, Sydney
Cost: Starting at $35 Adult, $25 for kids 3 – 16 for off-peak times. Under 3 Free.
Website: Wundrful World Of Christmas
High Tea with Santa at QVB
Under the glistening chandeliers of the iconic Tea Room QVB, book your table for a magical, memorable and intimate Santa Experience. Indulge in a bespoke Christmas-themed Traditional High Tea designed by the Tea Room QVB Executive Chef Rob Crichton and have your memories captured with professional photography of your special moment with Santa himself.
Dates: Selected days between 9 November – 24 December 2024
Time: Various times
Location: The Tea Room QVB, Queen Victoria Building
Cost: $95 for Adult / Teens, $75 for kids 1 – 12
Website: QVB
Homegrown Christmas at The Rocks
The historic streets of The Rocks are transforming for the Christmas holiday season! Enjoy a feast for the senses as you stroll through this historic precinct as it comes to life just in time for Christmas. Explore thoughtful moments and heartfelt connections around every golden sandstone corner, with sparkling Christmas lights and trees, special feasts, plus loads of fun activities.
Date: 15 November – 25 December 2024
Location: The Rocks, Sydney
Website: The Rocks
Santa Fun Run Sydney
This November, the Santa Fun Run is coming to Sydney to raise funds for Vision Australia’s iconic fundraiser Carols by Candlelight. This event supports Life Ready, a children’s program at Vision Australia that helps children who are blind or have low vision to live the life they choose.
Date: 30 November 2024
Time: 8am
Location: Metcalfe Park, Pyrmont
Cost: $48 Adult, $38 for kids 4 – 18. Under 4 Free.
Website: Vision Australia
Big Christmas Spectacular
Celebrate this Christmas season at the Big Christmas Spectacular! Enjoy the brilliance of 40 dancers, a live orchestra, and a choir as they deliver your Christmas favourites. Secure your tickets now to experience holiday magic, perfect for the whole family.
Date: 1 December 2024
Location: Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $99
Website: Sydney Opera House
Home Alone in Concert
A true holiday favourite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and entertaining score performed live to film by the Sydney Symphony at the Sydney Opera House.
Dates: 5 – 8 December 2024
Time: 2pm & 7pm
Location: Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $49
Website: Sydney Opera House
NSW Rail Museum Santa Train
Join Santa for a festive 40-minute steam train ride inside a beautifully restored carriage, from historic Thirlmere Station to Buxton and return. Included in your ticket is access to the NSW Rail Museum, plus enjoy a Christmas scavenger hunt, stories, performances and singalongs, face painting and more! Immerse yourself in Australia’s largest collection of heritage rolling stock, state-of-the-art facilities and interactive exhibits.
Dates: 7 & 8 December 2024
Location: Thirlmere
Cost: $35 Adult, $25 Concession and $15 for Child (aged 2 – 17)
Website: Transport Heritage NSW
Santa’s Vintage Electric Train
Direct from the North Pole, don’t miss the Santa’s Vintage Electric Train for two days only! Enjoy a 60-minute ride aboard Sydney’s Vintage Electric Train, Red Set F1, with Santa from Central Station through Sydney’s inner west to Rhodes and return. This is a rare opportunity for the whole family to experience Sydney’s vintage electric train with the big man himself!
Dates: 7 & 8 December 2024
Location: Central Station, Sydney
Cost: $30 Adult, $20 Concession and $15 for Child (aged 2 – 17)
Website: Transport Heritage NSW
Train Rides with Santa at Zig Zag Railway
Santa and his helpers will join you for a heritage train ride, bringing treats for the kids.Enjoy free face painting and jumping castle, and take your Christmas photo with Santa in a festive balloon display. Bring your wish list and best holiday cheer because Santa can’t wait to meet you. Bookings essential. Special event ticket pricing applies.
Dates: 7 & 8 December 2024
Location: Zig Zag Railway, Clarence NSW
Cost: $50 Adult, $40 Concession and $32.50 for Child (aged 3 – 16)
Website: Zig Zag Railway
Harry Potter-themed display at Sydney’s Dural Christmas Tree Farm
A spellbinding display has been unveiled in Sydney at the Dural Christmas Tree Farm, and it’s free to enjoy for a limited time from Monday 9 December until Sunday 15 December. Created to bring magical fun to fans of all ages this Christmas, the Harry Potter display includes 50 beautiful growing Christmas trees which have hundreds of Harry Potter inspired decorations from broomsticks and cauldrons to Ron’s flying car, Hedwig the owl, and Golden Snitches. During the week-long display, there will be 15 Christmas Trees with an assortment of tree-ready decorations given away to lucky visitors who can find pink envelopes on daily scavenger hunts.
Dates: Monday 9 December until Sunday 15 December
Location: Dural Christmas Tree Farm, 879 Old Northern Road, Dural, NSW
Cost: Free
Website: Dural Christmas Tree Farm
Christmas Fireworks at Darling Harbour
The festive bells will be ringing in Darling Harbour every weekend during December with a jam packed evening to celebrate with the whole family! Watch Cockle Bay light up with a spectacular Fireworks display every Saturday night at 9pm.
Dates: 7, 14, 21 and 28 December 2024
Time: 9pm
Location: Cockle Bay Wharf
Cost: Free
Website: Darling Harbour
Christmas Movies at Moonlight Cinema
Enjoy your favourite Christmas movies at Moonlight Cinema. All the holiday classics are being screened including Love Actually, Red One, Home Alone, Home Alone 2, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Elf.
Dates: Sunday 8 December to Monday 23 December 2024
Time: 8:30pm
Location: Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park, Sydney
Cost: From $29.50
Website: Moonlight Cinema
Christmas at the Cathedral
Christmas at the Cathedral returns in 2024. This annual tradition draws hundreds of thousands of families, children, community groups and tourists together to experience the lights and sounds of Christmas. The pictures and illustrations projected on St Mary’s Cathedral draw the community together, to connect with the message of Christmas, and celebrate the season with their families and loved ones. In addition to the lights of Christmas and choir performances, there are also food and gift stalls.
Dates: Thursday 12 December to Wednesday 25 December 2024
Time: 5:30pm – 10:30pm every night
Location: St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney
Cost: Free
Website: Christmas at the Cathedral
Handel’s Messiah
Find comfort, inspiration and pure seasonal joy in the company of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs as all their singers come together for an exhilarating performance of Handel’s greatest oratorio. It tells the story of the birth and passion of Jesus Christ and was first performed in Dublin in 1742, featuring in Christmas and Easter celebrations ever since.
Dates: 13 – 15 December 2024
Time: 1pm & 8pm
Location: Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $45
Website: Sydney Opera House
The Nutcracker
Enjoy this holiday classic with your kids. Join Clara and her Nutcracker on a magical journey in this stunning adaptation by the Australian Chamber Orchestra featuring live classical music and ballet. The ACO’s The Nutcracker is the perfect introduction to live classical music and ballet, guaranteed to captivate and delight the whole family this festive season.
Dates: 13 to 22 December 2024
Location: Australian Chamber Orchestra, Walsh Bay, Sydney
Cost: $35
Website: Australian Chamber Orchestra
Taronga Zoo Christmas Concert
Get into the festive spirit at Taronga’s annual Christmas Concert! Set amongst the delightful surrounds of Taronga Zoo Sydney, this family-friendly event features an all-star lineup of performers, singers, musicians and of course, Santa!
Created specifically for Taronga Zoo, the Christmas Concert is the pinnacle of family-friendly entertainment and is one not to miss! Bring the whole family and enjoy an amazing summer evening set against the iconic backdrop of Sydney Harbour.
A variety of food and beverage options will be available to purchase on the night or you can pack a picnic to enjoy with the family.
Date: Saturday 14 December 2024
Time: 7pm – 8.30pm (Gates open 6pm)
Location: Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Cost: $29 adults, $24 children aged 4-15
Website: Taronga Zoo
The Holiday Film In Concert
This Christmas, experience ‘The Holiday’ – Film with Live Orchestra. Don’t miss beloved Christmas romcom, The Holiday (2006) presented live in concert this festive season with the film’s legendary Hans Zimmer score played live-to-film by Southern Cross Symphony.
The in-concert experience with full orchestra and cinema size screen is an incredibly unique and immersive way to experience The Holiday, which has become a cult Christmas viewing experience for many.
A Universal Pictures production, The Holiday stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black, and tells the story of how two women who have never met and live 6,000 miles apart find themselves in the same exact place.
Date: Saturday 14 December 2024
Time: 3pm
Location: Darling Harbour Theatre, International Conference Centre, Sydney
Cost: From $99
Website: The Holiday Film in Concert
Elf: The Musical
Experience the Australian premiere of Elf: The Musical, a heartwarming adaptation of the beloved film. This hilarious show follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity and the spirit of Christmas. This brand-new concert production will bring the holiday magic to the Concert Hall in its Australian premiere. Expect a Christmas extravaganza with a dazzling cast of 16 performers and an on-stage band of 15.
Date: 19 – 29 December 2024
Time: 1:30pm & 7pm
Location: Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $99.90
Website: Sydney Opera House
The Christmas Spectacular
Celebrate the festive season with Santa and friends in this extraordinary 90-minute production with a dazzling showcase of songs, dances, and world-class performers, including tributes to the Radio City Rockettes and The Nutcracker. Join The Voice finalist Prinnie Stevens for an unforgettable musical journey through Christmas classics and be captivated by the mesmerizing illusions of Australia’s Got Talent finalist Michael Boyd. A once-in-a-lifetime experience for all ages.
Date: 20 – 22 December 2024
Time: 2pm & 6:30pm
Location: Sydney’s State Theatre
Cost: From $59
Website: State Theatre
The Wiggles Wiggle & Learn BIG SHOW!
Celebrate Christmas with The Wiggles in Sydney. Experience the magic of Wiggle & Learn BIG SHOW! tour at Darling Harbour. An unforgettable musical extravaganza, Wiggle & Learn BIG SHOW! is set to spark creativity, curiosity and a love of learning through The Wiggles’ signature mix of education & entertainment.
Featuring all eight Wiggles, Anthony, Lucia (Blue), Simon, Caterina (Red), Lachy, John (Purple), Tsehay and Evie (Yellow). Plus, all the Wiggly friends Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Captain Feathersword and the Tree of Wisdom! In true Wiggles tradition, the annual arena spectacular wouldn’t be complete without a special appearance from the man in red from the North Pole!
Dates: Saturday 21 December 2024
Location: ICC Sydney Theatre, Darling Harbour
Cost: From $45
Website: The Wiggles
Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australia’s most joyous Christmas Event! Held annually in Sydney’s historic Domain. Gather up your family and friends and head to The Domain in Sydney on Saturday 21 December.
Each year, Woolworths Carols in the Domain hosts some of Australia’s biggest stars who come together to celebrate Christmas, while millions of people across Australia watch the show from the comfort of their home on TV.
This year, The Festive Lawn is a huge, free and non-ticketed area where you can enjoy the show. Bring your picnic along and get in early to secure your spot and enjoy the pre-show entertainment and fun-filled activities which starts in the afternoon. The main program starts at 8pm. If you prefer to know that you have a seat waiting for you, there is limited reserved seating available to purchase through Ticketbooth.
Date: Saturday 21 December 2024
Time: Main program 8pm (Gates open earlier for pre-show entertainment)
Location: The Domain, Art Gallery Road, Sydney
Cost: Free for The Festive Lawn. From $84.90 for Reserved Seat
Website: Carols in the Domain
Love Actually In Concert
Following sold out performances last year, Love Actually in Concert featuring a live orchestra will be bringing the magic to ICC Sydney’s Darling Harbour Theatre this year just in time for Christmas.
With an all-star cast, the film rated M, celebrating over 20 years, has become one of our all-time festive favourites. The Sydney Lyric Orchestra with conductor Guy Noble will perform the evocative hit soundtrack live with the film being projected onto a huge screen.
Join the fun as stories of love around Christmas unfold. Come dressed in your favourite Christmas outfit and make Billy Mack proud. You’ll laugh, sing, and maybe even shed a tear as you experience the emotion of the ultimate romantic comedy Love Actually in Concert.
Date: Saturday 21 December 2024
Time: 3:30pm and 8pm
Location: Darling Harbour Theatre, International Conference Centre, Sydney
Cost: From $105
Website: Love Actually in Concert
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