A Sydney City Christmas extravaganza is on show in 2022! From the famous Martin Place Christmas Tree to a whole host of fun in Darling Harbour, here’s a list of festive things to see and do on a day trip (or evening stroll) in the Sydney CBD.
Sydney city is sparkling and buzzing this Christmas, with pop-up musical performances in local neighbourhoods, light displays, decorations, roving performers and more Christmas trees than ever. There are so many wonderful events and festivals running, guaranteed to get you into the festive mood!
- Martin Place Christmas Tree
- Canopy of Light, Pitt Street Mall
- David Jones Christmas Windows
- Christmas Wonderlanes in The Rocks
- Christmas at Darling Square
- Barangaroo Bells
- Darling Harbour Christmas
- QVB Christmas Tree
Sydney City Christmas: Things to see and do
Martin Place Christmas Tree
The largest Christmas tree in NSW will delight audiences from Saturday 26 November to Saturday 1 January.
The tallest Christmas tree in NSW is decorated with more than 110,000 LED lights, a 3.4-metre colour-changing star and 330 specially created glossy baubles.
The tree’s 800 branches are dressed with 15,000 flowers representing 9 different kinds of Australian flowers: banksia, waratah, bottlebrush, wattle, eucalyptus gum flower, kangaroo paw, flannel flower, pink wax flower and white wax flower.
4,104 warm white icicle fairy lights will span across Martin Place, see the 6 strings of lights, each hosting a large star.
Enjoy a kaleidoscope of colours and decorative lights every 15 minutes from 7pm to midnight. Wander through Martin Place and soak in the magic of Sydney Christmas.
Plus, the Martin Place Markets launch on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November, then run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in December until Christmas Eve, from 11am-8pm.
Canopy of Light, Pitt Street Mall
Need to do some Christmas shopping? Head into the city and discover a Christmas wonderland right in the heart of Sydney as you stroll along Pitt Street Mall underneath a canopy of suspended lights.
Featuring 85,000 LEDs and ten stunning two metre high stars this Christmas light installation will bring sparkle to your night.
David Jones Christmas Windows
The famed David Jones Christmas windows have launched at the flagship Elizabeth Street Sydney store unveiling their ‘A World of Wonder’ Christmas campaign.
The iconic display has been a favourite for families for decades, with thousands visiting the Christmas-themed window creations every year.
David Jones’ Christmas Windows for 2022 are a playful depiction of the joys of gift giving at Christmas time.
Christmas at Darling Square
Discover a Delicious Christmas at Darling Square. Step into a world of wonder, as you walk through the incredible light tunnel, creating the perfect photo moment for friends and family.
Santa will be roaming the streets and smiling for photos, free of charge. Get a quick snap and share your Christmas wishes: 17 & 18 December from 5pm.
End the night with a bang at Cockle Bay’s iconic firework display. 9pm on the following Fridays and Saturdays: 16, 17, 23 & 24 December.
Discover brand-new holes from Pixar’s two latest releases, Turning Red and Light Year. Putt your way around 9 or 18 holes at Pier Street Underpass for a limited time, from Friday 16 December to Sunday 5 February.
Christmas Wonderlanes in The Rocks
The historic laneways of The Rocks are transforming into Christmas Wonderlanes this holiday season! Explore them and you’ll find joy around every golden sandstone corner, with twinkling Christmas lights and trees, special Xmas feasts, loads of fun activities and even a bunch of Christmas themed activities for your doggo.
Check out The Rocks’ Christmas Tree towering seven-metre-tall Christmas tree is back, complete with extravagant decorations and lighting at the top of Jack Mundey Place.
Stroll down Playfair Street in The Rocks and you’ll discover a gigantic snow globe complete with a supersized Christmas scene, a classic holiday soundtrack and festive lighting.
Discover unique gifts and eat delicious street food at The Rocks Markets, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Dec 3 – Dec 18.
Plus, they’ve stacked the Laneway Cinemas line-up with holiday movie classics. You can come and enjoy your favourite films with cosy seating and free popcorn under the stars.
Barangaroo Bells
From 24 November, Barangaroo will be home to three gigantic interactive Christmas bells with inbuilt swings as they light up Sydney harbour this festive season.
Listen while you swing and you’ll notice the bells sound and light up every time you reach the top!
Celebrate Christmas cheer(s) with dinner and drinks on Sydney’s waterfront followed by a stunning light walk visiting each of the three musical bells.
Darling Harbour Christmas
They’re decking Darling Habrou for the silly season, with a giant bauble on the Convention Centre Forecourt and giant baubles floating on Cockle Bay, fireworks, pedal boat rides, Pixar Putt mini golf, visits from Santa, competitions and over 150 incredible places to eat and drink.
Tumbalong Park will also host two weekends of Christmas festivities including live music and dance, kid’s entertainment, delicious food and holiday treats.
QVB Christmas Tree
This year, the QVB showcases a truly unique Christmas tree, shining a light on the importance of Aboriginal culture within Australia.
The Australian native Wollemi Pine-inspired Christmas tree ushers in the next chapter of its artistic overlay, with a collaboration of First Nations artists from Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative.
Situated on the ground floor of the QVB, Dr Bronwyn Bancroft’s interactive art installation wraps around a lustrous vision of bush and rainforest. It is embedded with tools and utensils of which are emblematic of the ingenious innovation of Aboriginal people. As well as the beauty of Indigenous art, intelligence, systems, and knowledge that has existed for over 60,000 years. You can hear the sounds of endangered birds from Songs of Disappearance by The Bowerbird Collective above you, while you immerse yourself in the sights and colours of the work