NSW Christmas Holidays

Christmas is a magical time in NSW. All across the State you can celebrate the festive season with street parties, concerts, markets and special events. There’s plenty of holiday fun to be had for the whole family – and you might even get a visit from Santa himself.

Blue Mountains

Meet local artisans at the Christmas Makers Market at Scenic World on 8 December. Hear a public reading of the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol at Katoomba Library on 11 December and Springwood Library on 12 December. Then indulge in a Taste of Christmas degustation feast at the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel on Saturday nights.

Hunter Valley & Central Coast

See the largest display of Christmas lights in the southern hemisphere at Hunter Valley Gardens. The Christmas Lights Spectacular also features immersive light tunnels, an eight-metre Christmas tree, Santa’s Workshop, inflatable zones and jumping castles, thrill rides, live music and more.

There’s a whole month of Christmas celebrations in The Entrance with A Luminous Christmas. From 1-30 December you can enjoy lights, carols, rides, live music and more. Hear award-winning singer Wendy Matthews and former yellow Wiggle Sam Moran sing Christmas favourites at Central Coast Carols in Gosford on 20 December.

North Coast

Kick off the silly season in Evans Head with the tasty delights of the Christmas Food Truck Festival on 30 November. The streets of Casino will come alive with Christmas spirit for the annual Richmond Valley Christmas Street Party, featuring a tree lighting, entertainment, fireworks and a visit from Santa.

South Coast

You’ll find a festive mood at the McDonalds Illawarra Santa Fest Carols Wollongong on 15 December. Join the crowds to watch the Gerringong Christmas Parade make its way through the streets from 11am on 21 December. And do your last minute Christmas shopping at the Foragers Twilight Christmas Festival in Bulli on 22 December.

Get frocked up for Christmas race days along the South Coast – Shoalhaven Christmas Race Day is on 8 December and the Moruya Christmas Cup is on 20 December. Kids (and kids at heart) will love the classic rides at Bells Family Carnival, which has been running at Batemans Bay for more than 20 years

Country NSW

Pick up one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts at the market stalls of the Cowra Christmas Street Festival on 6 December and meet Santa and his reindeer in the Winter Wonderland. You’ll find more gift ideas at the Gather and Graze Christmas Markets in Jugiong on 30 November. Or join the fun at the Queanbeyan Christmas Street Party on 14 December.

There will be Christmas events happening all over the Riverina Murray region. Head for Light Up Leeton on 1 December, the Cootamundra Christmas Party on 5 December, Wagga RSL Christmas Party on the Greens or Temora Christmas Street Fair on 13 December, and Gundagai’s Christmas Carols and Twilight Markets on 15 December.