Sydney’s Christmas season will kick off with 2 simultaneous outdoor concerts in the city featuring children’s entertainers, the Moorambilla Voices Choir, surprise special guests & an appearance by Santa Claus!
The City Of Sydney will mark the start of its AUD$3.5 million Christmas program on a weekend for the 1st time. On Saturday the 26th of November, Sydneysiders have the chance of enjoying the Martin Place Christmas Concert & Tree Lighting or Christmas On The Green in Hyde Park.
Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said the concerts were a drawcard for thousands of families who come each year to enjoy a night of live music, carols & Christmas cheer.
“Our annual Christmas concerts mark the beginning of the festive season in Sydney & are eagerly anticipated by the young and old” the Lord Mayor said.
“This year we’re excited to host these free events on a Saturday night to allow more families to come into the city to enjoy Sydney’s 1st Christmas concerts for 2016″
“We’re also giving local residents opportunities to celebrate the season close to home with family & friends with 4 Christmas concerts in some of our local villages”
“Adding to this, we’ll have choir performances, colourful decorations, lights, the city’s largest Christmas tree & more. This Christmas will be a great celebration in Sydney & I encourage everyone to get into the festive spirit”
Sydney Christmas 2016 highlights:
City concerts – Saturday the 26th of November
2 hour concerts in Martin Place & Hyde Park will kick off at 6:30pm AEDT & showcase a musical line-up of performers to entertain families & visitors of all ages.
Children’s entertainer, Justine Clarke, will open the Martin Place concert, followed by live performances by the Moorambilla Voices & special guests to be announced. The concert will feature a fireworks finale & the lighting of the interactive Christmas Tree by Santa & the Lord Mayor.
At Hyde Park, children’s performers will entertain young families including Jimmy Giggle, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom as well as the Australian Girls’ Choir & Santa.
The Hyde Park concert will also offer craft activities, a sausage sizzle, gelato & a Santa stocking filled with Christmas goodies.
Martin Place – the heart of Sydney Christmas
The Martin Place Christmas Tree has been the centrepiece of Christmas in Sydney for 47 years. Standing 21 metres tall & dressed with 60,000 lights, 120 interactive stars, 200 stainless steel baubles & a 1.5 metre star on top, visitors can text a message to 0487 939 627 (048 SYD XMAS) & it will appear on the Tree’s branches for everyone to see.
The Tree will also feature a nightly sound & light show from 8:30pm–9:15pm AEDT that will include an orchestral Christmas score, moving coloured lights & sky beams.
Visitors can climb on board Santa’s giant LEGO® Christmas Sleigh – a perfect selfie opportunity with the Martin Place & Christmas Tree backdrop.
From the 26th of November, a General Post Office Dessert Bar will offer a range of festive, mouth-watering gelato, sweets & cakes through to the 31st of December.
Christmas lights
The Boulevard Of Lights will once again transform Pitt Street Mall into a festive walkway. The canopy of 62,000 twinkling white lights will immerse the mall in the joys of the season each evening from the 26th of November to Christmas Eve.
Sydney Town Hall will be illuminated with festive colours & the façade of St Mary’s Cathedral will be the stage for a free sound & light show. The theme for the 2016 projections is Joy To The World & will feature an animation of The Nutcracker & a pictorial journey of Christmas decorations throughout the ages.
Village Christmas concerts
Free family concerts at Rushcutters Bay (3rd of December), Rosebery (4th of December), Alexandria (10th of December) & Surry Hills (11th of December) will feature children’s entertainment, live music, fireworks & a visit from Santa.
Christmas choirs
Visitors can enjoy the sounds of Christmas as they stroll through the city. Street choirs will perform every night leading up to Christmas at the Martin Place Christmas Tree while carollers entertain shoppers in Pitt Street Mall.
Christmas at Sydney Town Hall on the 20th of December is an opportunity for the family to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas with a pageant of readings, music by the Royal Australian Navy Band & performances by a massed choir and children’s choir, led by the Grand Organ.
Shopping
As well as the big brand outlets in the city, local village retailers & boutiques each offer their own style & treasures. Shoppers can also take part in the Best Shop Window competition by tagging their favourite village window #SydXmasWindow on Instagram for a chance to win a AUD$2,000 shopping voucher.
Guide Dogs presentation & puppies
On Tuesday the 6th of December, Guide Dogs New South Wales/Australian Capital Terriorty will host a Guide Dogs Christmas Presentation Day in Martin Place. Passers-by can see live guide dog demonstrations, learn about the complete guide dog journey & play with some up and coming trainees from the puppy pre-school.
For all the dates & details, visit sydneychristmas.com.au.
Media Release: City Of Sydney
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