If you’re looking for the best Christmas lights in Sydney, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ve put together a list of our favourite sites, including Martin Place, Swansona Avenue, the QVB Wollemi Christmas Pine, and more!
Martin Place
Martin Place is a pedestrianised shopping and business hub in Sydney’s central business district. It is also an iconic landmark of the city.
Martin Place has a number of buildings which are of historical and architectural significance. One of these is the prestigious 50 Martin Place building, which is a signature landmark of the Sydney CBD. Featuring a striking glass dome and internal aesthetic contrast, this is a landmark piece of architecture in the Sydney skyline.
The building is also home to the Reserve Bank of Australia, one of Australia’s central banks. With ten levels of office space and a banking chamber, the building offers a range of facilities.
A number of other Australian corporations are located on Martin Place, including the Commonwealth Bank, Macquarie Bank, Westpac and Seven Network. In addition, the building is home to a variety of eateries and bars. These include a well-known food court with a range of convenient options.
Another major feature of Martin Place is the 1927 World War I Sydney Cenotaph. This is a tribute to the ANZACs, and it is a venue for official war commemoration ceremonies. An annual Lord Mayor’s Christmas tree is also placed there.
The building is made of trachyte and sandstone, and has a steel frame structure. The interior of the building features large marble and plaster walls and a pressed metal ceiling.
One of the more controversial features of the building is the relief figures on its stonework. These are based on the Egyptian-derived motif used in the Mutual Life and Citizens Building.
St Mary’s Cathedral
The best and most popular Christmas tradition in Sydney is the annual Lights of Christmas. This event is free and is held every year from 9th December to 25th December.
Held at St Mary’s Cathedral, the event features a light show on the facade of the church. This is repeated throughout the evening and is accompanied by performances by choirs and musicians.
The event is organised by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. It is a free event that draws people of all ages.
At the start of the Christmas festivities, the Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher OP, invites the public to the cathedral for a special evening. The aim of the event is to bring happiness and optimism to the community.
The lights are projected onto the facade of the Cathedral and run for 15 minutes. They are then repeated until 11pm.
The Cathedral is also the spiritual home of Sydney’s Catholic community. With a spectacular light display and beautiful soundtrack, it makes a wonderful backdrop for any holiday celebration.
Throughout the Lights of Christmas, the Sydney Street Choir will perform, which has been involved in the event for eight years. The choir is made up of locals who are experiencing disadvantage in the community.
The Cathedral will also host an evening festival for the community. There will be food trucks, markets, and activities to enjoy.
In addition to the Christmas illuminations, the event will include a live music performance by the St Mary’s Cathedral Choir and Tommy Tallon. Both of these performers have played sold out shows in Melbourne and Sydney.
Holt Road
Sydney’s Christmas lights are a fun way to celebrate the festive season. Whether you want to take a stroll through the city or see the displays in your suburb, you can enjoy the magic of the season.
The best Christmas lights in Sydney are hard to beat. There are lots of illuminated displays all over the city, from Bondi to Mosman, and each one is a sight to behold. If you are looking to get into the holiday spirit, there are a few things to look for in each display.
First Avenue, in Willoughby, has a light show that is pretty impressive. This isn’t the largest display in the neighbourhood, but it is definitely a show to behold.
Fourth Avenue, in Willoughby, also has an impressive light show. These lights aren’t just for kids, but there are plenty of photo opportunities to be had.
162 Holt Road, in Taren Point, boasts a life-size reindeer, a snow pool, and a rocking Santa. They’ve also got some other cool features, like laser beams and smoke machines.
Another cool Christmas light display is found in Elanora Heights. You’ll find sparkly lights all around, and there is also a walk-through light tunnel.
It’s not every day that you can say you saw a four-metre white Christmas tree lit up. And there’s a pretty good chance you’ll see a five-metre Santa.
A little more than a month is needed to put together a truly stellar display. Check out the official Facebook page for the dates and times.
Swansona Avenue
When it comes to Christmas lights, Sydney is a city of wonder. There are numerous streets and suburbs with spectacular displays. From the snow-covered village of Macarthur Square to the swoon-worthy lights of Avoca Street, you can’t go wrong with a drive or a stroll through the city. And, as a bonus, most of them are free to see!
While many of the streets are lit up to look festive, only three are truly worth a visit. These are the ones that stand out from the crowd.
The Martin Place Christmas Tree is a Sydney icon. It is the tallest Christmas tree in NSW, and is decorated with 330 glossy baubles. It also has a 3.4 metre colour-changing star.
Another popular street is Swansona Avenue. The street features LED deer in the front yard, arches, and stars. During the festive season, the street is lit up with lights and inflatables.
In Taren Point, 162 Holt Road has walk-in lights, smoke machines, laser beams, and a life-size Santa. It also has a snow pool and bubble machines.
Other light shows in the neighbourhood include Fourth Avenue and First Avenue in Willoughby. The Fourth Avenue displays have a unique design, as they have a synchronized lighting effect for each house. They’re also the first to sync their lights to music.
On the other hand, the 5 Waratah Street light show raises money for CareFlight. But, in light of heavy rain, this display may be cancelled.
QVB Wollemi Christmas Pine
Sydney is a city awash with sparkling lights, from a gigantic snow-covered village to Christmas lights everywhere. In order to celebrate the festive season, some suburbs go all out, while others keep it simple. But if you’re after some of the best Sydney CBD Christmas lights, then Martin Place is the place to look.
Every year, Martin Place transforms into a magical wonderland and thousands flock to the venue for Christmas photos. This year, the iconic Christmas tree is decorated with 330 glossy baubles and a 3.4-metre colour changing star. The tree also features 110,000 LED lights and nine different Australian flowers.
Another of Sydney’s top CBD Christmas lights is the QVB Wollemi Pine Christmas Tree. It is the largest indoor Christmas tree in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring over 130 ornaments inspired by native flora.
Aside from the tree, the QVB is also home to a number of other Christmas themed attractions. From interactive snow play to a High Tea with Santa experience, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For the first time in 2022, the tree will be designed in collaboration with Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative.
The QVB Wollemi Christmas Pine is a stunning attraction that’s perfect for Christmas photos. It is located on the ground floor of the QVB, with a dome surrounding it.
The super-sized Christmas tree is woven with more than 110,000 LED lights, giving it a wonderful backdrop for a city stroll. In addition to the lights, the Christmas Tree will also feature 60,000 crystal ornaments and an in-house Santa.
Hunter Valley Gardens
Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular is one of Australia’s most spectacular light displays. This unique and elaborate display includes more than 3 million lights. It also has carnival rides and live entertainment. The event is open from 5.30pm to 10.30pm on weekends and holidays.
The Christmas lights extravaganza at Hunter Valley Gardens is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. It features over three million lights and is open every night except Christmas Day. There are over forty landscape gardeners, architects and engineers involved.
The display is set against a backdrop of beautiful gardens. A picnic area and playground are available. Several dining options are available, including Harrigan’s Burger Bar and Oscars. The Hunter Valley Hot Air Balloon Ride is also a popular attraction.
The Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular will run until January 26. Santa Claus will appear in the Gardens on Christmas Eve. Kids can also take part in a Santa’s workshop.
The festive lights are free to view. They are lit from 5.30pm to 10.30pm daily. However, admission to the Hunter Valley Gardens is not free. You can purchase a Day and Night pass to the Christmas Lights Spectacular. These passes are valid for two adults and two children.
A day trip to Hunter Valley Gardens is a fun experience for the whole family. After exploring the Gardens, you can take a short drive to a winery. Wineries in the region are world renowned and offer award winning wines.
