Looking for things to do on Christmas Day in Sydney? If you’re on holiday, travelling or living in Sydney as an expat, fear not… I’m here to help!
When you’ve grown up knowing Christmas to be all about the cold weather, sitting next to the fire, watching the Coca Cola Christmas ad pop on TV and hoping for snow to fall… it’s just bizarre to be in the heat. And it’s super hot at this time of the year in Sydney.
No matter how many years I’ve spent Christmas in Australia, it never feels right (you can read more about our thoughts here).
But I’ll tell you what… your first Sydney Christmas is a proper novelty. Seeing Santa wearing shorts is something you won’t be able to accept. But, you’ll get carried away with it being both Summer and Christmas at once which basically equates to a double celebration.
So if you’re a backpacker reading this, or if you’ve just moved over to Sydney and wondering how you should spend Christmas, or if you’re just looking to for something different to do this Christmas in Sydney, here’s some of our favourite things to do on Christmas Day in Sydney.
If you’re also looking for something to do this New Years Eve in Sydney, jump on these experience which are still available:
- New Years Eve Pubs Crawl In Sydney
- Sydney Harbour Fireworks Cruise
- New Years Eve Opera Performance at Sydney Opera House
What our YouTube video about Christmas in UK vs Australia
15 Things to do in Sydney on Christmas Day
1. Eat Christmas Lunch on a Sydney Harbour Cruise
If you’re looking for a Christmas Day experience in Sydney that feels genuinely special (and requires very little effort), this Christmas lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour is hard to beat. Instead of cooking, cleaning, or fighting for restaurant reservations, you’ll spend three relaxed hours cruising past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge on a festively decorated boat.
From the moment you step onboard at Circular Quay, the tone is set with Christmas music, bon bons, a welcome drink, and front-row views of the harbour at its very best.
The highlight is the generous Christmas buffet lunch, featuring fresh seafood, traditional meats and a range of seasonal dishes, all paired with beer, wine, sparkling and soft drinks included in the package. It’s a brilliant option for couples, visitors, or anyone wanting to do Christmas differently while still feeling indulgent and celebratory.
You’ll return to Circular Quay by mid-afternoon having enjoyed great food, iconic scenery and a Christmas Day experience that feels unmistakably Sydney.
You can read more and book the cruise here.
2. Spend the Day at Taronga Zoo
Looking for something a bit more low key? Pre-book your Taronga Zoo tickets which is actually open on Christmas Day between 9:30-5:00pm. This is a brilliant time to wonder around without the crowds. It’s also a perfect activity for everyone!
Bring your swimmers with you as well and go for a swim in the secluded Sirius Cove Beach next door to Taronga Zoo and follow the path all the way back to Kirribilli. It’s honestly beautiful. We lived in Kurraba Point a few years back and I used to run all along the harbour around to Cremorne.
Not forgetting, just before you get to Cremorne Point (which has fantastic harbour views) look for the secret Lex & Ruby Gardens, it’s awesome (you can read about it here).
3. Visit Sydney Aquarium Without the Crowds
Pre-book your Sydney Aquarium tickets as it will be open from 10am-6pm on Christmas Day. As a huge highlight when visiting Sydney, this is an awesome thing to do in Sydney on Christmas Day that you’ll be able to experience without the crowds!
4. Pop Next Door to Wild Life Sydney Zoo
Wild Life Sydney Zoo is a hugely popular Sydney tourist attraction where you’ll get to see loads of the famous Australian wildlife right in the heart of the city. Pre-book your tickets here before it sells out. Luckily Wild Life Sydney Zoo is also open on Christmas Day between 10am-4pm.
Pick the right Sydney pass for you below!
5. Check Out The Christmas Lights In Sydney
If there’s one way to get you into the Christmas spirit, go and check out our Best Christmas lights in Sydney Guide! Find out where this street is in Sydney, where the residents have a secret website so they can judge each others houses to win prizes in their annual competition. You’ll see how it’s taken very seriously because you won’t find another street in Sydney like this!
6. Make Christmas Day In Sydney Special With The Bridge Climb
If you want a Christmas Day story that truly stands out, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is hard to beat. There’s something unforgettable about ascending this iconic landmark on Christmas Day, clipped in and guided along the arch while taking in sweeping 360-degree views of the Opera House, Darling Harbour and Sydney’s glittering harbour below.
You’ll climb in a small group with an expert guide who shares stories about the bridge and the city, making the experience feel personal and relaxed. With climbs running throughout the day, including morning, twilight and afternoon sessions. It’s an easy yet unforgettable way to do Christmas in Sydney a little differently.
Book your Christmas Day Sydney Bridge Climb here.
7. Get out of Sydney and Explore
Looking to escape the city on Christmas Day? Why not hire a car if you don’t have one and get out and explore the region. There is so much to see and do which doesn’t require any opening times.
Unsure where to start? Check out our 30 Best Day Trips From Sydney guide to help inspire you. You could go visit the whitest sand beach in the world in Jervis Bay which is just three hours away.
Go find some of the Best Waterfalls in Sydney, or even pack a picnic and find a beautiful lookout point in the Southern Highlands and have the most relaxing Christmas Day ever!
8. Go on a South Coast Road Trip
If you fancy getting out of Sydney but unsure what to do on Christmas Day, why not go on a South Coast road trip! The South Coast is totally underrated, but there are some amazing spots to see while you’re there which don’t require anything to be open.
Go visit the amazing sights and things to do in Kiama such as: Bombo Quarry (pictured), Sea Cliff Bridge, the Breakwater Batter Museum, Cascade Falls Walk and so much more!
Maybe you’d like to go and find the best waterfalls in Kangaroo Valley, or spend a couple of days in Southern Highlands.
If you’re heading further south (highly recommend), check out our guide for the best things to do in Jervis Bay, and the best things to do on the South Coast, including the gorgeous Batemans Bay, Narooma, Bermagui and Eden. This is a massively underrated part of the East Coast which blew us away by the natural beauty that sits here.
9. Go to the Cinema
Summer is the best time to visit the cinema where air con is appreciated and, the best movies are coming out in time for Oscar season and let’s not forget about the open air cinemas all around Sydney! Check out our full Best Cinemas In Sydney guide to see why going to the cinema in Sydney is a must experience!
Cinemas open on Christmas Day in Sydney include: Hoyts, Event Cinemas and Palace Cinemas.
10. Head to Bondi Beach and Celebrate!
On Christmas Day it’s a tradition to see backpackers come together to take over Bondi Beach. If you’re happy to be amongst the crowds for a party atmosphere then you can’t go wrong.
If you’re looking for other beaches to head to nearby which don’t require a car to get there, check out our Best Sydney Beaches By Public Transport Guide.
11. Find The Secret Gardens In Sydney For Free!
We love the hidden gems around Sydney that even the locals don’t even know about! If you’re looking to find some of them, check out our favourite secret gardens in Sydney!
Best of all, you can get to them by public transport and they won’t cost you a thing to get into. These are some of the awesome free things to do in Sydney!
12. Go For A Blue Mountains Hike
You can still get up to the Blue Mountains on the train on Christmas Day so plan your own adventure by checking out our guides to some of the best hikes in Sydney!
Here’s some of our Blue Mountains Guides to help you plan your trip:
- 46 Best Things To Do In Blue Mountains
- 15 Best Hiking & Camping Sydney Weekend Itineraries
- 10 Best Blue Mountains Lookouts You Can Drive Right Up To
- How To Spend A Weekend Hiking In Blue Mountains
- 30 Best Hikes In Blue Mountains
13. Go to the Figure 8 Pools in Royal National Park
If you wanted to get out of Sydney for the day, head down to The Royal National Park – the oldest national park in THE WORLD which is just 1 hour away from Sydney. You can catch the train down and then start your hike from there!
Check out some of our Royal National Park Guides to keep you busy:
- 13 Tips Before Hiking To Figure 8 Pools In Royal National Park
- 15 Best Royal National Park Walks In Sydney
- Everything You Need To Know About The Wedding Cake Rock Hike
14. Tick off the Bondi to Manly Walk
Christmas Day could be the perfect day to complete the mammoth Bondi to Manly walk! It’s an 80KM walk so it’s not for the faint hearted, but hear me out on this one. Think about it… it will be so quiet through the city, you’ll have such a memorable time doing this incredible hike through Sydney on a super quiet day.
You’ll feel proud of yourself for doing something active that doesn’t involve eating too many Quality Streets or Roses, and you’ll remember this experience for years to come. Book yourself into a hotel or airbnb on the way to complete it in a couple of days. You’ll pass by so many hidden gems in Sydney like beaches, gardens and so much more!
Read our complete Bondi to Manly Walk Guide before you embark on this trip, complete with plenty of tips for how to plan it.
15. Where To Volunteer On Christmas Day In Sydney
There seriously isn’t a better thing to do than opting for some Christmas volunteering in Sydney.
The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation are currently looking for Christmas Day volunteers to help feed homeless people. Find out more about how you can help here.
The Wayside Chapel put on a church service and a street party for all to join on Highes Street in Potts Point. They feed 800 people on Christmas Day and you can even drop by with a plate or donate $25 to feed someone else.
Want to volunteer for the Oz Harvest? You’ll need to attend a session before you volunteer, but it will be oh so worth it. Find out more here.
If you want to help out but not on Christmas Day itself, The Smith Family are looking for volunteers to help pack and deliver toys and books for kids.
Watch the Sydney to Hobart Cruise on Boxing Day in Sydney
If you’re looking for a few things to do on Boxing Day then there’s one thing you should definitely consider; the Sydney to Hobart yacht race!
The Sydney to Hobart race is a legendary annual event which sees all of Sydney come together to watch hundreds of boats set sail for the race of the year down to Hobart. It’s best to watch it either from North Head if you’re in Manly or South Head from Bondi area to see the best views!
Things To Do On New Years Eve In Sydney
Unsure how to spend New Years Eve in Sydney? Check out our favourite things to do this New Years Eve in and out of Sydney which includes Sydney Harbour vantage points only locals know about, and much much more!
If you’re to book dinner, Sydney Harbour cruises or epic New Years Eve parties, check out these options which are still available!
- New Years Eve Pubs Crawl In Sydney
- Sydney Harbour Fireworks Cruise
- New Years Eve Opera Performance at Sydney Opera House
Things to do on Christmas Day in Sydney
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