Christmas in the City 2022

A trip into the city to see the Christmas tree at Martin Place followed by some shopping is an annual festive tradition for many Sydney families.

After two years of Covid-19 restrictions and a reduced program, the City of Sydney’s Christmas festivities are back, with a series of events planned to add a little sparkle to a visit to the city and surrounding suburbs. From carol singing and markets in Martin Place to festive concerts in local parks, there’s a fun line-up of free events on offer.

Here are some of the highlights.

Christmas in the City launch

The Christmas festivities kick-off with the lighting of the Martin Place Christmas tree at 8.30pm on Saturday November 26, with Santa arriving on a reindeer-bicycle powered sleigh no less. This will be followed by a fireworks display.

The weekend’s festivities also include Christmas markets, with more than 40 stalls. Plus choir performances at Martin Place, Pitt Street Mall and outside Town Hall, Wynyard and St James stations.

When: Saturday 26 November from 12pm to 9pm and Sunday 27 November from 12pm to 6pm
Where: Martin Place, Sydney CBD
Details: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/christmas-in-the-city

Christmas concerts

The City of Sydney is hosting six free Christmas concerts over the weekends of 2-3 December and 9-11 December, including at two inner west venues. The concerts will feature performances by children’s entertainers including Justine Clarke and The Beanies. There will be craft activities, games, a community barbecue and food trucks including Gelato Messina. There will also be an opportunity for a photo with Santa.

When and where: Piramma Park in Pyrmont on December 2 and Bicentennial Park in Glebe on December 10
Details: Pyrmont concert https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/pyrmont-christmas-concert
Glebe concert https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/glebe-christmas-concert
Surry Hills concert https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/sydney-childrens-christmas-concert
Roseberry concert https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/rosebery-christmas-concert
Rushcutters Bay concert https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/rushcutters-bay-christmas-concert
Alexandria Park concert https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/alexandria-christmas-concert

Martin Place Christmas tree

The tree sounds amazing this year. It’s 25m tall, comprising 800 branches, all decorated with native flowers and Christmas baubles. More than 100,000 LED lights will adorn the tree, sparkling and changing colour as part of a sound and light show.

When: November 26 to January 1. The sound and light show runs every 15 minutes between 7pm and midnight.
Where: Martin Place, Sydney CBD
Details: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/martin-place-christmas-tree

For more on City of Sydney’s Christmas events, visit: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/programs/sydney-christmas