Sydney is set to celebrate Christmas like no other city, with a program of uniquely Aussie festivities & tradition with a twist.
Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, today launched the 2017 Sydney Christmas program at Martin Place, which features 30 days of events, light projections, concerts & choir performances across the city & its villages.
Artists including Kate Miller-Heidke, Justice Crew, Christine Anu, All Our Exes Live In Texas, The Australian Girls’ Choir & Jimmy Giggle will perform at 2 city concerts that kick off Sydney’s festive season this weekend.
“With a fantastic program of celebrations for all ages, this is a great time for people to bring their families to the city & celebrate the festive season” Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said.
“From live concerts & colourful projections, to great shopping & the opportunity for the kids to meet Santa, there is plenty for visitors, shoppers & locals to enjoy”
“It will be a wonderful Sydney Christmas,with sunshine, lively streets & long evenings, it is the perfect time for exploring our city with family & friends”
Sydney Christmas 2017 Program Highlights:
Martin Place Christmas Concert & Tree Lighting – Saturday the 25th of November, 6:30pm–8:30pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
Hosted by Channel 7’s Mark Ferguson & Angie Asimus, the free Martin Place Christmas Concert & Tree Lighting is packed with entertainment the whole family will love.
The concert features live performances by Kate Miller-Heidke, Justice Crew, All Our Exes Live In Texas, Christine Anu, Australian Girls’ Choir & children’s entertainer, Jay Laga’aia.
The Lord Mayor & Santa will arrive by cycle-drawn sleigh to light the Christmas Tree & start the fireworks finale.
There will be pre–show entertainment from 5:45pm AEDT & Santa stockings packed with goodies on sale for AUD$5, with all proceeds going to the City’s Christmas charity partner, Variety – The Children’s Charity.
The Mutual Life And Citizens Centre & General Post Office restaurants, bars & a pop-up dessert bar with festive gelato, sweets and cakes will open during the concert.
Christmas On The Green at Hyde Park – Saturday the 25th of November, 6:30pm–8:30pm AEDT
Jimmy Giggle, Bananas In Pyjamas, The Listies, The Fairies & children’s entertainment legend, Peter Combe, will perform at the free concert in Palm Grove in Hyde Park North.
Christmas On The Green will be a lively, festive night perfect for families with entertainment suitable for all ages.
Concert goers can enjoy kids’ activities, food trucks, a gelato bar & AUD$5 Santa stockings. Santa will stop by for a visit & a fireworks finale will light up the sky.
Martin Place Christmas Tree
The interactive Christmas Tree in Martin Place provides a visual spectacle that invites visitors to share in the spirit of Christmas. Visitors can send a Christmas message to the 20 metre high Tree via sydxmastree.com.au & watch the words light up the interactive ribbon.
The city’s most-loved Christmas tree is decorated with 60,000 lights, 300 baubles and a 1.5 metre treetop star & will be lit every day from the 25th of November to the 26th of December.
Lights & projections
The Boulevard Of Light – an overhead canopy of 80,000 lights in Pitt Street Mall – will make late-night shopping trips sparkle.
From the 25th of November to the 25th of December, family-friendly projections at Customs House Square & Martin Place will transform the ground into a summer Christmas wonderland.
The Lights Of Christmas at Saint Mary’s Cathedral will capture the imagination of audiences with a spectacular light & sound show. Performances run each evening from the 6th–25th of December, starting at 7:30pm AEDT with a choir performance.
Village Christmas concerts
Free, family-friendly concerts at Alexandria (2nd of December), Surry Hills (3rd of December), Rushcutters Bay (9th of December) & Rosebery (10th of December) are always a big hit with the kids & packed with children’s entertainment, live music, fireworks & a visit from Santa.
There will be performances from children’s favourites including Jimmy Giggle, Justine Clarke, The Listies, Bananas In Pyjamas & Splashdance.
Carollers & choirs
Carollers in Pitt Street Mall will entertain shoppers with festive favourites while they do their Christmas shopping. Different groups will perform every Thursday, Saturday & Sunday nights from the 25th of November to the 21st of December including Variety – The Children’s Charity Choir, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, Australian Girls’ Choir & The Cleftomaniacs.
Choirs will perform under the branches of the Martin Place Christmas Tree every night from the 25th of November until Christmas Eve. Groups include Jingle Belles Singers, Circular Keys, Sydney Philharmonia Choir & The Salvation Army Band And Choir.
A Very Surry Hills Christmas
Sydneysiders & locals are invited to A Very Surry Hills Christmas on Saturday the 16th of December.
Visitors can make their own personalised Christmas decorations at Santa’s Workshop & take advantage of the complimentary gift wrapping service for purchases from local retailers.
A live disc jockey will entertain crowds throughout the day & there will be face painting, free entertainment and photos with Santa for the kids.
The event will run from 9am to 5pm AEDT at Shannon Reserve, Surry Hills.
Rediscover George Street walks
Free seasonal walking tours will encourage Sydneysiders to explore their city on foot & rediscover George Street. The foodie walk will explore hidden laneway cafes & chocolate shops while a family-friendly Christmas lights walk will tour Sydney’s most Instagram-able window displays & illuminations. An evening architecture walk will reveal the city in a new light, highlighting the best buildings on George Street & their surprising history.
‘KIIS under the mistletoe’
KIIS 106.5 is inviting visitors to Christmas On The Green in Hyde Park to ‘KIIS under the mistletoe’ for a chance to win a AUD$500 shopping spree. Visitors snapped ‘KIISing their Christmas favourite’ under the giant mistletoe can use the #SYDXMAS hashtag to enter the draw. Little ones can also post their letters to Santa at the North Pole at the special Christmas post box.
Variety – The Children’s Charity
The City Of Sydney’s charity partner for Sydney Christmas 2017, Variety – The Children’s Charity, will sell merchandise & Santa showbags at the city and village concerts. The national charity provides funding & support to individuals, organisations & hospitals to improve the lives of children with disabilities & special needs.
Variety will also host a Xmas Walk at Pyrmont Bay Park on Sunday the 3rd of December.
For all dates & details, visit sydneychristmas.com.au.
Media Release: City Of Sydney
Sydney Spectaculars 