Christmas at Darling Harbour 2025

Overview

Christmas has officially landed at Darling Harbour, and this year, the festivities are back and bigger than ever. Across November and December, the waterfront precinct will host several free events, stunt shows, concerts, and weekly fireworks, making Darling Harbour one of Sydney's premier destinations for Christmas celebrations.

Supplied by Darling Harbour

Cockle Bay Christmas Spectacular

On Saturday, December 6, from 4pm, the harbour will host the first-ever Cockle Bay Christmas Spectacular, where Santa will ditch his sleigh for a jet ski. He'll be joined by elves on flyboards during a thrilling 20-minute aerial water stunt spectacular. Santa will then make a grand entrance across the harbour to greet the crowd and take a few festive snaps as well.

Audiences can enjoy music from DJs, as well as some classic carols performed by the Golden Kangaroos Marching Band, followed by a grand fireworks finale.

Supplied by Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour Christmas Festival

On Thursday, November 21, the Pyrmont Bridge will be opened for the grand arrival of the ten-metre floating Christmas tree that will light up the harbour every evening throughout the season. Darling Quarter will become the home of Christmas presents with large garden boxes dressed up in their festive finest and bright red bows.

Supplied by Darling Harbour

On Saturday, December 13, the Darling Harbour Christmas Festival returns to Tumbalong Park. This live and free Christmas concert will feature family-friendly performances from Lenny Pearce (Toddler Techno), Sydney Harmony and Christine and Zipporah Anu with TikTokker Jayden Rodrigues acting as MC. Keep your eyes peeled for another visit from Santa and enjoy a refreshing drink or snack from the food trucks and stalls nearby.

Santa's Christmas Picnic

As we inch closer to Christmas Day, families can also book in to Santa's Christmas Picnic on the weekend of Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21. Over the weekend, Tumbalong Park will be transformed into a festive playground featuring food trucks, market stalls, live entertainment and activities for kids. General admission is free; however, you can reserve private picnic spots to level up your festive weekend.

Supplied by Darling Harbour

Festive Food and Drinks

Darling Harbour's many restaurants and bars will keep spirits high with special Christmas menus, cocktail hours and venues that are open through the silly season — perfect for work Christmas parties and end of year functions. If you're looking for a restaurant to host your Christmas Day celebrations, Fratelli Fresh is offering a festive Italian-style menu from $95 per person. Seafood lovers can enjoy a four-course Christmas menu at Jordan's Seafood from $170 per person, while local hotels, Sofitel and the W Sydney, are offering delicious feasts for $295 per person and $365 per person.

If you're looking to book in some fun and free festive celebrations without leaving the city, be sure to head down to Darling Harbour this Christmas season.

Visit the Darling Harbour website to find out more.

Image credit: Darling Harbour