Christmas events in Sydney for 2025 are now starting to pop up.
Halloween marks more than the spooky season around the world, but it’s about this time that major cities start to plan their holiday season.
Sydney is no different this year, already kickstarting what should be an exciting December as sketches of our Christmas season start to appear around the city, from tickets being sold for major events to beloved annual shows like The Nutcracker and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and the Brandenburg Choir’s epic Noel Noel concert series.
Sydney Travel Guide will be keeping you updated on all the things to do around Sydney during the holiday season, but for now, here are some of the Sydney Christmas events that we’re looking forward to. Get those tickets locked in early, as they’re always super hard to find when the holiday season officially kicks in December.
Sydney Travel Guide will be updating this Christmas events listing as more parties, concerts and shows are announced in the coming weeks.
Christmas Events in Sydney
1. Christmas Actually: The Music of Love Actually live
There’s only one Christmas-themed rom-com that pops up in discussions on the best Christmas movies each year. That’s 2003 Richard Curtis smash Love Actually, which is now as inescapable as Mariah Carey’s biggest money-maker and the pressure to buy elaborate gifts.
The holiday film will be brought to life by a talented cast in The Studio, Sydney Opera House’s unique underground club space. This charming production is led by an all-Australian cast led by Green Room Award-winner Naomi Price and talented performers Stefanie Caccamo, Luke Kennedy, Irena Lysiuk and Mat Verevis. On the schedule: songs made famous by Joni Mitchell, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and Mariah Carey (there will be no prizes for anyone correctly guessing which Mariah song).
Where: The Studio, Sydney Opera House
When: November 26-30, 2025
Price: $99 – $119
2. Carols at the House
Carols at the House returns for its 2025 season, spearheaded by the talented Sydney Philharmonic Choirs. Set in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, guests will hear the collective joy rush from hundreds of voices, star soloists and a full orchestra, all held together by the expertise of Brett Weymark.
The family-friendly Christmas concert will once again run through classic carols like “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night” and enhance that with several contemporary works and other seasonal favourites that all ages can enjoy. This includes Bach’s Magnificat, Eric Whitacre’s Sing Gently, and notable Australian works by the likes of Deborah Cheetham Fraillon and Katie Noonan.
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
When: December 12-14, 2025
Price: $45 – $140
3. The Nutcracker
Another endearing Sydney holiday favourite is The Nutcracker at the Sydney Opera House. Once again, Sir Peter Wright’s whimsical tale of a young girl and her magical doll will spring to life with exquisite costuming and stage design by John F. Macfarlane.
The Opera Australia Orchestra has been commissioned to perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic score in full, giving guests an authentic, immersive display that captures the full scope of The Nutcracker and turns the Joan Sutherland Theatre into a world built by delicate snowflakes, toy soldiers, and the joyful jitters of the Sugar Plum Fairy, who will be there in her full candy-floss pink costume.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
When: November 28 – December 14, 2025
Price: Tickets on sale from November 20, 2025
4. Noel Noel Concert Series
Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and the Brandenburg Choir will present their brilliant Noel Noel Concert Series across four venues, including the City Recital Hall in Sydney CBD and St Patrick’s Church in Parramatta. The epic collection of singers and musicians will be joined this year by Christina Leonard, who is one of the country’s most noted saxophonists.
The performances will take place at the following locations:
- December 9: St Francis of Assasi Catholic Church | 457-459 Oxford St, Paddington
- December 11-13: City Recital Place | 2-12 Angel Place, Sydney
- December 15: Parish of Holy Name Church | 35 Billyard Ave, Wahroonga
- December 16: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral | 1 Marist Place, Parramatta
- December 18: Saint Brigid’s Catholic Church | 392 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
5. Christmas at the Cathedral
Head along to St Mary’s Cathedral near Hyde Park from December 12 to find one of Sydney’s most beloved Christmas festivals. Christmas at the Cathedral will be buzzing in the weeks leading up to December 25, bringing a scene of Xmas market stalls, live music and family-friendly activities to fill the days and nights with pure holiday cheer.
It all takes place under a towering Christmas tree with a beautiful nativity scene planned for this year. Each year, Christmas at the Cathedral is designed to a theme as well, and in 2025 that’ll be Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. You’ll see the theme brought to life in many of the designs, as well as in the dazzling light projection show curated by The Electric Canvas, reflecting off both the main and western sides of the Cathedral.
Where: St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney
When: December 12 – 25, 2025 (light show from 8:30pm)
Price: Free
6. Homegrown Christmas at The Rocks
The Rocks is about to go through a spectacularly spooky transformation with Ghost in the Rocks festival making a comeback after a successful debut last year. A few weeks later, however, you’ll see Sydney’s most historic streets give themselves over to holiday cheer so visitors and locals can experience an Australian Christmas in the historic precinct.
From November 14, expect to see the streets become a festive playground with Australian decorations and entertainment like live music by the harbour, an artisan Christmas market, free Laneway Cinema sessions, and other holiday surprises packed into laneways and hidden around corners.
Where: The Rocks, Sydney
When: November 14 – December 25, 2025
Price: Free
7. City of Sydney Community Christmas Concerts
There’ll be no shortage of places to get up and dance with the kids this Christmas. The popular City of Sydney Community Christmas Concert series will take place across six of our leafiest communal spaces this year, planning a gorgeous day out with music, dance and entertainment from the lives of The Listies, Justine Clark, Diver City and Lah Lah’s Big Live Band.
The free performances will take place at the following locations, with each starting from 5pm and wrapping up at 9pm.
- November 29: Pyrmont Christmas Concert, Pirrama Park
- November 30: Roseberry Christmas Concert, Turruwul Park
- December 1: Surry Hills Christmas Concert, Prince Alfred Park
- December 7: Rushcutters Bay Concert, Reg Bartley Oval
- December 6: Glebe Christmas Concert, Bicentennial Park
- December 14: Alexandria Christmas Concert, Alexandria Park
