By Mike CrooksWednesday 11 Dec 2024ChristmasReading Time: 4 minutes
Sydney’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Key Points:
- “Sydney is sparkling!” announced mayor Clover Moore on November 28.
- The city is now in full festive swing, with plenty to see and do, to get locals and visitors into the Christmas spirit.
- “Jesus’ birth broke through the darkness of that winter night, with a star that shone so brightly, it proclaimed the prince of peace to wise men in a faraway land.”
The city is now in full festive swing, with plenty to see and do, to get locals and visitors into the Christmas spirit.
“Sydney is sparkling!” announced mayor Clover Moore on November 28 as she attended the first lighting of the Martin Place Christmas Tree.
“Let the season of joy begin.”
Martin Place
As usual, Sydney’s Martin Place hosts NSW’s tallest Christmas tree.
It sparkles every night from 8PM with 110,000 LED lights.
The tree’s 800 branches are adorned with 15,000 flowers representing Australian flowers including banksia, waratah, bottlebrush and wattle.
“Sydney is sparkling!” announced mayor Clover Moore on November 28.
From 6pm to 8pm every night until Christmas Eve, there will be a choir reciting carols, hymns and other festive songs by the tree. For the full list of choirs performing at Martin Place throughout December, visit here.
Families can also get photos with Santa at Santa’s House, also located near the tree.
Markets
Martin Place is also now hosting European-style Christmas markets.
There are 58 stalls with festive treasures, food, art, and gifts, “under our enchanting Illuminated Market Canopies,” read a statement from organisers.
The markets are open 11am to 9pm on Thursdays to Saturdays (and the Sunday before Christmas).
There will also be music performances on the market days.
Sydney’s beloved Christmas night market, Le Jolly Market, also returns from December 13.
The market will be at Belmore Park, Haymarket (next to Central Station) and offer visitors a “unique Christmas experience” – wooden huts, artisanal products, gourmet food, fine wines, and live music.
Lights and puppetry
While you’re in the CBD, drop by the Pitt Street Mall and see the Canopy of Light twinkling over all the shoppers.
The sparkling display features 80,000 lights and ten two-metre stars.
And this year, it comes with a special difference. “The lights will glisten in an endless array of programmable colours bringing more festive cheer to the mall,” said the City of Sydney in a statement.
The city is now in full festive swing, with plenty to see and do, to get locals and visitors into the Christmas spirit.
And from there, wander over to David Jones to view the Elizabeth Street Christmas Windows.
This year, the window displays are bringing to life the tale of the 2015 Australian children’s book, A Very Wombat Christmas, by Lachlan Creagh.
The display features over 50 motorised puppets.
Christmas at The Rocks
Meanwhile, Australia’s oldest neighbourhood is decked out in decorations and Christmas villages to explore, and is hosting a number of events this festive season.
They include the Homegrown Concert Series, which includes performances from Roshani and Big Wheels, Jess Beck, Ruby Jackson, and Surely Shirley.
There’s also a series of Connection Picnics with tailored gatherings for different age groups designed to help people make new friends.
And of course, there’s the Christmas Edition of the famous Rocks Markets – open from 10am to 5pm everyday until December 22.
Living Christmas trees
At Barangaroo Reserve, people can celebrate Australia’s Indigenous culture with “Native Living Christmas Trees.”
These trees are created using Australian native plants (which can also be found at the reserve).
“Jesus’ birth broke through the darkness of that winter night, with a star that shone so brightly, it proclaimed the prince of peace to wise men in a faraway land.”
First Nations artist Taleena Simon “has adorned each tree with her breathtaking artwork, weaving in tales of connection, community, and cultural heritage,” read a statement.
“As you wander through Barangaroo, each tree will invite you on a journey through time, sharing the stories of the precinct and its deep-rooted connection to First Nations people.”
Christmas shows
As for Christmas-themed entertainment, the live music version of Love Actually returns to Darling Harbour’s ICC. Love Actually in Concert sees the beloved film screened along with a live rendition of the soundtrack by an orchestra.
For the kids at the Botanic Gardens is Dreaming of a Green Christmas, a show featuring Elfis and Elvin the Elves as they make preparations for Santa’s visit in Australia. It’s recommended for kids aged 3 to 10.
And everyone’s invited to the Carols in the Domain on the evening of December 21.
This year the stars include Samantha Jade, Hugh Sheridan, Conrad Sewell, Erin Holland, Mark Vincent, Jael Wena, Kym Johnson, Rejoice Gospel Choir, The Australian Girls Choir and of course, The Wiggles and Santa.
Christmas at the Cathedral
And don’t forget to catch a bit of church magic at St Mary’s Cathedral from December 12.
As Sydneysiders have come to expect, there will be amazing light projections on the walls of the cathedral.
The projections retell the classic Charles Dickens story, A Christmas Carol.
“It’s turned into a major Christmas festival, in the city of Sydney.”
“It’s become more than just a projection,” said designer Peter Milne.
“It’s turned into a major Christmas festival, in the city of Sydney.”
There will also be food and gift stalls, live entertainment, and roaming performers.
“Christmas can seem like a fairytale – a nice story we tell our children and ourselves, but one not based in reality, not speaking to contemporary problems,” said Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, in a Christmas message.
“But the Christmas story is true. Jesus’ birth broke through the darkness of that winter night, with a star that shone so brightly, it proclaimed the prince of peace to wise men in a faraway land.
“It broke through the silence and indifference, with angelic songs of glory to God and peace to people.”
Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro