The NSW Government is unveiling its largest Christmas celebrations yet, with the Harbour City set to launch the 2025 Festive Season and a range of new and expanded events, cementing Sydney as the ultimate Summer Christmas and New Year’s destination. 

Locals and visitors alike will be invited to experience the city’s unique, vibrant summer holiday spirit, with Sydney set to sparkle with a packed calendar of dazzling events, cultural showcases, and community celebrations.

The 2025 Sydney Festive Season will deliver the city’s largest Christmas celebrations with an expanded program of major events and activations across the city that will officially begin on 27 November with Santa’s Sydney Sleigh Ride and the lighting of the Martin Place Christmas Tree, presented by the City of Sydney. 

• Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour will play host to a major expanded Christmas Festival for 2025 with an even bigger free family concert, expanded children’s entertainment zones and the return of Santa’s grand arrival. Expect a larger main stage program featuring combined school choirs alongside headline performers. Schools can submit their interest in performing on the big stage here www.darlingharbour.com/competitions/call-for-choirs-perform-at-the-darling-harbour-chr

• Christmas at the Cathedral will be more than double the size in 2025. The nightly forecourt market will feature exciting new food and gift stall options, new lighting and projection installations will bring the Cathedral façade to life, and an expanded program of choirs and live performances. Visitors can gather for nine nights of food, music and community celebration in the lead-up to Christmas.

• The Rocks Markets: Christmas Edition returns with additional festive night trading sessions and more stallholders specialising in handmade gifts, local design and seasonal treats. The precinct will also be buzzing with an enhanced summer music program and relaxed picnic-style spaces overlooking the harbour.

• The inaugural Cockle Bay Christmas Spectacular will launch with a water performance featuring stunt elements plus a pre-show program of live music and roving performers. 

• A White Bay Christmas will transform the White Bay Power Station, offering festive orchestral concerts and an expanded artisan market in the Boiler House and Turbine Hall. Visitors can explore stalls featuring local makers and enjoy performances by the Sydney Youth Orchestra in one of Sydney’s most atmospheric heritage settings. 

Importantly for families, all events are free to attend.

Sydney’s unique festive period is a key, high-profile holiday season that the city is known for offering a warm, Australian twist on traditional celebrations. Barangaroo and The Rocks will be getting a Christmas makeover, with wreaths, bells and Christmas trees set to fill the public domains.

These new and improved events will be supported by Christmas classics, including The Salvation Army’s Carols in the Domain, and the Martin Place Tree.

A bumper Christmas crowd will be followed by a summer of major events, ensuring Sydney remains the place to be throughout the holiday season.

Key NSW Government-supported events include:

• Back to the Future: The Musical 

• Sydney International Art Series – Data Dreams: Art in the Age of AI at the Museum of Contemporary Art (21 Nov 2025 – 26 Apr 2026) and Ron Mueck at the Art Gallery of NSW (6 Dec 2025 – 12 Apr 2026)

• Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

• United Cup (3–11 Jan 2026)

• Sydney New Year’s Test Match (4–8 Jan 2026)

• Sydney Festival (8–25 Jan 2026)

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said, “Sydney’s Christmas celebrations just keep getting bigger and better. This year we’re unwrapping our most exciting festive season yet with more events, more lights, and more free ways for families to celebrate together.

“Only in Sydney can you celebrate Christmas under the stars, by the harbour, and on the beach. Our expanded summer program captures that unique spirit while driving even more visitors into our city.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said, “No one does Christmas quite like Australia, and there is no better place to experience a classic Aussie Christmas than Sydney.

“We are bringing back the festive spirit to make sure our Christmas celebrations are bigger and better than years before. 

“We want to see our city humming with local and international visitors, and to do that, we need to give them a reason to travel.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as our iconic Harbour precincts prepare to put on a bumper schedule of events filled with plenty of free festive cheer. 

“Whether you’re looking for free family fun like live entertainment or to find unique Christmas gifts to put under the tree we’ve got you covered. 

“I look forward to seeing merrymakers coming together this holiday season to enjoy our great open spaces and the free Christmas bonanza.”