Christmas in the Villages: Paddington, Potts Point, Darlinghurst

Overview

This year the CBD isn’t the only place where you can indulge in seasonal shenanigans. On December 13 and 14, twelve of the city’s villages will get their Christmas spirit on, with free drinks, free food, roving performers, in-store events, seriously discounted gifts and visits from Santa. More than 200 retail outlets are getting on the sleigh.

If you’re in the market for a unique, arty gift and can make it to Darlo this weekend, drop into the creatives’ market, which is popping up at Spunky Bruiser and Soto Smith. Elsewhere in the village, Alfie’s Friend Rolfe will hold all-day parties, with drinks, nibbles and giveaways; CIRCA75 invite you to visit their holiday selfie booth; Maaike will host ‘create your own Christmas crate top’ workshops; Lotus Pod will be handing out double passes to Govinda’s for every $150 spent; and substantial discounts will be happening at Route 66, Rouse Phillips, Core, Haus of Heidi and Wheels and Doll Baby.

Just around the corner, the Paddington Inn will be keeping tired shoppers refreshed with $18 cocktail jugs and $22 slow meals, served with red wine. Numerous stores in Paddo will be getting festive with discounts and giveaways, including Bounce, where every visitor will receive $40 in Bounce Bucks; Ariel Books, where every purchase will score free lollies and every 20th one a present; and Pelle, where each pair of upscaled designer shoes or vintage accessory will come with a complimentary gift.

And up in Potts Point, there’ll be free coconut water with every $50 spent at Adora, complimentary coffee with every meal at Marcelle, gift wrapping at no extra charge at Architext and 25% off DOV’s vibrant, colourful teapots for two.

There’s also a villages-wide Instagram comp going on, which might see you jetting off to some long dreamt-of destination. Simply take a shot of your favourite shop window and tag it #sydxmas #bestwindow, for a chance to win a $2,000 QANTAS travel voucher. The business responsible for the most-tagged window will score $5,000 worth of adventures with Red Balloon. Both prizes are courtesy of American Express.

To find out more about what’s happening in Darlinghurst, Paddington and Potts Point this weekend, visit the City of Sydney’s Christmas in the Villages website.