The 10 Best Things To Do In Sydney Over The Christmas Break
The Christmas break (for those lucky enough to get one) doesn’t have to be all overeating, moping around your family members and refreshing Netflix. If you live in Sydney, there’s a whole lot to power you through the sometimes-festive season.
From Christmas-specific activities in the city to head-clearing hikes away from it all, these 10 suggestions will please even the most committed Grinches.
Go In at the Fish Market’s 36-Hour Seafood Marathon
Ever crave a freshly-shucked oyster at 3am? Need to experience a fat stack of prawns as a midnight feast? It’s your season. If you love seafood and a festive spending spree, get down to the Sydney Fish Market for its 36-Hour Seafood Marathon. Retailers will stay open selling the freshest catches from 5am, Monday 23 December through to 5pm on Christmas Eve.
Watch the Sydney Opera House’s (Free) Nightly Light Show
Missed out on tickets to Hannah Gadsby’s six (!) shows at the Sydney Opera House this month? Well, there’s still good reason to get down to Circular Quay this Christmas. The seven-minute ‘Badu Gili’ show is currently illuminating the Opera House sails each night with an array of ancient First Nations stories. Arrive on the Monumental Steps at sunset for Chapter 1.
Consider a Sea Change On the Bouddi Coastal Walk
Located near Gosford, 90 minutes north of Sydney, you won’t find any tinsel or tempting second lunches on the Bouddi Coastal Walk. The walk runs 8kms from Putty Beach to Macmasters Beach, with sweeping views out to the ocean from its coastline boardwalks.
You can stop for a swim at Maitland Bay, scan the horizon for whales or even camp overnight at Little Beach Campground if Sydney isn’t calling you back. (Before firing up any barbecues, just make sure to observe all fire bans active in the area.)
See Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker With Everyone Else
Duh. The conclusion to the Skywalker saga is showing literally everywhere, making it the most accessible option on this list. (Also crucial at this time of year: 142 minutes of guaranteed air-con.) See it soon, or have it spoiled on your timeline.
Get Away to the Underrated Mudgee Wine Region
If you need three hours in the car to clear your head, why not head for Mudgee’s wineries? Sure, you could hit the Hunter Valley, but Mudgee boasts some excellent, less-recognised cellar doors. (Make sure to visit Lowe Wines if organic, small batch winemaking is your thing.) Beer seekers should also drop in to Mudgee Brewing Company, where the spirit is always festive.
Experience the White Sands of Hyams Beach
You’re not going to get a white Christmas in Sydney, but how about a side-trip to take in one of the world’s top white sand beaches? Nestled in Jervis Bay, about three hours out of Sydney, the crystal-clear water at Hyams Beach is perfect for fishing, swimming, snorkelling, diving and of course Instagramming. Gift yourself a few days here in an AirBNB for maximum smugness.
Watch Christmas Classic Elf Under the Stars
The Moonlight Cinema is set up for the season on a gentle grassy incline in Centennial Park, with a programme that covers both new releases (Knives Out, Cats) and classics (10 Things I Hate About You, Pulp Fiction). On Sunday, December 22, Will Ferrell’s evergreen Christmas comedy Elf is taking over the open-air screen. What’s not to like?
Splurge on a Last-Minute Ticket to Elton John’s Final Tour
It’s been quite a year for Elton John. In May, we got Rocketman, a bright, brash biopic of his rise to fame. While that movie was raking in the millions at the box office, the real life Elton blitzed around the world on his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour.
His last-ever run of shows hits Sydney’s 8,000-seat First State Super Theatre on Monday, December 23, and amazingly there’s a few pre-Christmas tickets left. The bad/good news: the remaining ‘Diamond’ tickets will cost you a cool $350. But hey, last-ever tour!
Check Out Japan Supernatural at the Art Gallery of NSW
Can’t afford that direct flight to Japan just yet? This new exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW should tide you over. With a huge centrepiece from Japanese master Takashi Murakami, the show features an eye-popping cast of “ghosts, goblins and mischievous shapeshifters”. Renowned names Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Kuniyoshi and Tsukioka Yoshitoshi also feature, alongside contemporary artists Chiho Aoshima, Fuyuko Matsui and Miwa Yanagi. Go on, get some culture.
Limber Up For the Bondi to Manly Walk
It’s OK to gorge at Christmas if you’re planning to walk 80kms, right? The new Bondi to Manly Walk is the perfect staycation move – provided you’ve got decent shoes and a plan to break it up somewhere. Linking all the existing coastal and harbourside walking tracks between the two iconic beaches, the vibes are pretty unbeatable if you choose the right day(s).
(Lead Image: Moonlight Cinema / moonlight.com.au)
