Christmas – when you think about it, this season is an arts bonanza. Music, dance, lights, crafting for days. There’s no better time to get artsy with the family. In the spirit of the artsiest holiday, I’ve rounded up quite a few options of Christmas carols, concerts, dance, lights, and craft around Sydney this season.
And, if you want to keep track of family arts activities around Sydney through the holidays and across the whole year, check out the Artsplorers calendar of Sydney arts events for plenty of ideas!
Street Party
Christmas in the City
Saturday 23 November, Martin Place
See Sydney’s city centre come alive with a street party involving roaming entertainers, roller-skating baubles, magicians, pop-up stages, craft, choirs, lights, decorations and a dancefloor. Kids’ entertainers will be live on the streets to party with you, including Jimmy Giggle, Justine Clarke, SplashDance and The Nannas & The Poppas. The Martin Place Christmas tree will host a sound and light show every 15 minutes from 7.30pm. Brilliant fireworks will illuminate Sydney’s spectacular skyline.
Carols in the Park
I haven’t tried to round up all of the local Sydney carols for 2019 (and of course, the best ones are the ones in your own neighborhood with all your neighbors), but here are some that promise favorite children’s entertainers and plenty for the kids to do.
Sydney Christmas Children’s Concert
Saturday 30 November, Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills
It’s jingle all the way, as The Listies presents Justine Clarke, Jimmy Giggle, SplashDance, Sesame Street and Carpe Idiotus! Kids can enjoy craft activities, play table tennis and giant Jenga with our Christmas elves. Santa will make a special guest appearance, and the night will culminate in a glittering fireworks display.
Rosebery Village Christmas Concert
Sunday 1 December, Turruwul Park, Rosebery
Kids will love joining their favourite entertainers as they sing and dance in the spirit of Sydney Christmas. Hosted by The Listies with performances by Justine Clarke, BennyTime, SplashDance and Brown Sugar. Kids can enjoy craft activities, table tennis and games with our Christmas elves. Santa will make a special guest appearance and the night will end in a glittering fireworks display.
Rushcutters Bay Village Christmas Concert
Friday 6 December, Reg Bartley Oval, Rushcutters Bay
Hosted by children’s icon Justine Clarke, with performances by BennyTime, Nay Nay, Carpe Idiotus and Gang of Brothers. Kids can enjoy craft activities, table tennis and games with our Christmas elves. Santa will make a special guest appearance and the night will end in a glittering fireworks display.
Pyrmont Village Christmas Concert
Saturday 7 December, Pirrama Park, Pyrmont
For the first time ever, the City of Sydney will bring a village Christmas concert to Pyrmont. Hoste by Jimmy Giggle with performances by Justing Clarke, The Nannas and the Poppas, Carpe Idiotus, Splash Dance, and Limited Edition. Kids can enjoy craft activities, table tennis and games with our Christmas elves. Santa will make a special guest appearance and the night will end in a glittering fireworks display.
Kids can enjoy craft activities, table tennis and games with our Christmas elves.
Alexandria Village Christmas Concert
Friday 13 December, Alexandria Park
Hosted by Nay Nay with performances by Justine Clarke, The Nannas and The Poppas, Carpe Idiotus and Gang of Brothers. Kids can enjoy craft activities, table tennis and games with our Christmas elves. Santa will make a special guest appearance and the night will end in a glittering fireworks display.
Woolworth’s Carols in the Domain
Saturday 21 December, The Domain
2019 will be the 37th year of this iconic star-studded Christmas celebration held in the Domain adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens. As of this publishing, announced performers include Vanessa Amorosi, Shannon Noll, Adam Brand, Lucy Durack, Todd McKenney, Mark Vincent, with more to be announced. If you’re not up for braving the crowds with the kids, you can watch along at home on Channel 7.
Coogee Carols
Sunday 22 December, Goldstien Reserve, Coogee
Hosted by Amanda Keller this free event draws an audience from local and surrounding areas to celebrate community, family and the spirit of Christmas, opposite one of the most beautiful beaches in the world for a relaxed night of fun for everyone to enjoy. This year’s event is hosted by Amanda Keller, and performers include Simon Pryce (“the Red Wiggle”).
Lights
Lights of Christmas
5 – 25 December, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney
To mark the 10th anniversary of Lights of Christmas, the show will feature a sound and light experience honouring St Mary’s Cathedral. It will be transformed in a way not seen before, tracing the cathedral’s beautiful details using both light and colour.
The show will return to the original story upon which the customs and traditions of Christmas are based. Retold through the ages, scenes will be presented as a series of dioramas represented by spectacular Renaissance artworks.
Choirs begin performances on the steps of St. Mary’s at 7:30p.m. (full schedule of choirs here), and lights go on at 8:30p.m.
Ballet
The Australian Ballet’s Storytime Ballet: The Nutcracker
18 December – 4 January, Sydney Opera House
At 50 minutes, this miniature Nutcracker is perfect for little ballet lovers 3+ who aren’t ready to sit through a full-length performance. Storytime Ballet is an interactive, educational ballet production that encourages kids to learn, practise making magic and explore their love of dance! Packed with wonder and delight, this is the perfect first ballet experience for little boys and girls.
The Australian Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
30 November – 18 December, Sydney Opera House
If your artsplorer is a bit older, and they are ready for a full-length ballet (just over 2 hours, with interval), they might treasure the opportunity to see The Australian Ballet’s The Nutcracker. ” There’s nothing like a traditional Nutcracker to get you in the mood for the festive season. And there’s no traditional Nutcracker as magical as Peter Wright’s. “
Concerts
Children’s Christmas Concert with the Metropolitan Orchestra
Saturday 7 December and Sunday 8 December, Balmain Town Hall
This brand new Christmas concert written by The Metropolitan Orchestra’s artistic director Sarah-Grace Williams and acclaimed actor Nat Jobe, will introduce children to magical music from Tchaikovsky’s delightful Nutcracker Suite in a fun, engaging and intimate musical setting. Children will get to sing and dance with Elf Dan to favourite Christmas carols which will leave everyone glowing with the special magic that this wonderful time of year brings.
The Beanies Christmas Spectacular
Thursday 12 December, Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
Laura, Mim and Michael Beanie will have Mini-Beanies singing in their seats to all their hit songs from their podcast such as Silly Dizzy Dance, Sneaky Robber and Painting Party as well as all the Christmas classics. Get your dancing shoes ready for The Beanies very own Christmas carol (with Spanish flare) The Christmas Rumba and don’t forget to be extra good because there will be a special visit from you know who! (Recommended age: 2 – 7) Get to know The Beanies in our interview with them here!
Choirs in the City
28 November – 24 December, Martin Place
Enjoy choirs singing carols under the branches of the Martin Place Christmas tree. Check the schedule for the full listing of choirs and times.
Lah-lah’s Stripy Christmas
Various dates and venues
Join the stars of ABC Kids’ stars Lah-Lah’s Big Live Band as they celebrate Christmas around Australia LIVE in concert. And there’ll be a special musical visit from You-Know-Who. So pull up your stripy socks and pop on your Santa hats and get ready to dance! Bookings here. Sydney area dates are:
December 1 – Moore Park
December 10 – Cambelltown
December 16 – Castle Hill
December 18 – Hurstville
December 21 – Ryde
(Read why we think Lah-lah is made for Christmas music on our Children’s Christmas music album roundup).
Christmas Craft
Santa’s Workshop at Centennial Parklands
December 15, 20, and 23, WILD Play Discovery Centre, Centennial Parklands
Jingle Bells, jingle bells… join us for two hours of creative present making. Enjoy the beautiful Park and see what amazing Christmas decorations and presents you can make. Discover the Lachlan Swamp and its inhabitants and collect material that will help you make some beautiful art objects. Of course there will be some games and lots of fun included! Children will be introduced to a range of art mediums and natural materials – presents parents and grandparents will love. Bookings for weekday sessions here. Bookings for Sunday session here.
Little Ginger Studio Workshops
December 1, 15 and 20, Little Ginger Studio, Randwick
Join Little Ginger Studio for an afternoon of family together time Christmas crafting (and, yes, daggy Christmas music) at their Family Christmas Craft Pop-Up on either December 1 or 15. Or, drop your creative kids off for a full day of Christmas craft at the Holiday Fiesta program on December 20 (Creative Kids Voucher applicable).
Decorate a Nutcracker with WonderLab
Saturday 30 November, WonderLab Art Studio, Killara
A festivity of child lead creative exploration! WonderLab Art Studio invites kids aged 5 – 10 to decorate a Nutcracker with a myriad of loose parts and painting it with acrylic paints. (Book here)
Christmas Pottery Painting With Pinta Crafts
Drop in, Pinta Crafts, St. Leonards
Drop in to Pinta Crafts to paint your own pottery with your kids. Lots of Christmas themed items are on offer, including ornaments, plates, mugs, and figurines. Visit their website for drop in hours Wednesdays through Sundays.
Craftmas With Lí’l Crafters
Monday 23 December, Marrickville Girl Guides Hall
Li’l Crafters is offering a one-off Christmas craft pop up. Pop-up session on Monday 23rd December from 10:00-12:00. Each child will create a beautiful decorative nature wreath, a pour paint personalised bauble, one fabric patchwork bauble, and a Christmas canvas using natural materials. This session is ideal for both boys and girls of all ages, under 5’s will need a grown up to stay for the duration of the class. Check their website for bookings.
Wishing you a merry, artsy Christmas!
PLANNING CHRISTMAS WITH KIDS IN SYDNEY? PIN IT FOR LATER!
