Christmas Festival
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Christmas Festival
19
Dec
Event

Christmas Festival

When

Sat 19 Dec
4pm - 9pm 

Where

Tumbalong Park
Darling Harbour

Get directions
Price

FREE

Map, showing Christmas Festival

Back by popular demand, fan favourite Christmas Festival is returning, with live performances and the big man himself ... Santa!

Get ready for free Christmas fun for the whole family in Darling Harbour, as the Darling Harbour Christmas Festival transforms Tumbalong Park into a joyful summer playground filled with live kids’ entertainment, games, creative activities and festive fun.

Designed especially for families, this interactive Christmas festival invites kids to be part of the action. Catch live performances from kids’ favourites Whistle & Trick and Diver City, join a high-energy kids’ dance party, sing along with the community choir and get involved with interactive host Jayden Rodrigues.

Across Tumbalong Park, families can also discover a huge games area and competitions, roving performers and a Creative Corner with Christmas crafts, face painting and the chance to write a letter to Santa.

Then get ready for the highlight of the day: Santa’s special arrival in Darling Harbour, before continuing the Christmas celebrations with the Darling Harbour fireworks.

Best of all, the Darling Harbour Christmas Festival is FREE, making it an easy Christmas day out with the kids in the heart of Sydney.


Stage Program

  • 4.30pm - Event opens, family friendly DJ
  • 5pm - Host opening, Acknowledgement of Country
  • 5.10 - Jayden's Dance Party
  • 5.45pm - Soulfood
  • 6.15pm - Whistle & Trick
  • 7pm - Host engagement/interaction (competitions and giveaways)
  • 7.30pm - Diver City
  • 8.15pm Santa arrival
  • 8.30pm - Sing along with Santa
The line-up
   
Jayden Rodrigues
Australia’s very own ‘Just Dance’, YouTube and TikTok sensation, Jayden Rodrigues brings his infectious energy to the Darling Harbour Christmas Festival as MC and interactive host. Get ready to dance, play and join in throughout the day, including Jayden’s Dance Party, where kids and families can get up, get moving and join the festive fun.
Soulfood
Get ready for Christmas harmonies with Soulfood, a multi-award-winning Sydney a cappella choir known for putting its signature spin on Motown, soul and retro-pop. The 50-voice ensemble has performed everywhere from the Sydney Opera House to the Manly Jazz Festival and, in 2024, won the Pop Choir category at the World Choir Games. Catch them bringing their feel-good sound and festive spirit to Tumbalong Park.
Whistle & Trick
ARIA-nominated children’s music duo Whistle & Trick bring a playful mix of music, imagination and mischief to Tumbalong Park. Childhood friends Esther and Maddy are known for their lively original songs and appearances on ABC Kids and ABC iview, creating music designed to get little ones and their grown-ups singing, dancing and joining in.
Find out more
Diver City
Get ready to dance with Diver City, the colourful children’s music project from musician KLP (Kristy Lee Peters) and comedian Matt Okine. Blending electro-pop, hip-hop and dance beats, the ARIA-nominated duo create high-energy music for kids and grown-ups alike, with plenty of opportunities to sing, dance and get moving together.
Find out more
Santa’s Arrival
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Gather round as Santa Claus himself makes a magical entrance, ready to spread Christmas cheer in Tumbalong Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Darling Harbour Christmas Festival is a free family Christmas event at Tumbalong Park with live entertainment, games, creative activities and roving performers.
Kids can enjoy live performances from Whistle & Trick and Diver City, a kids’ dance party, games and competitions, roving entertainment and Creative Corner activities including Christmas crafts, face painting and letters to Santa.
The festival takes place at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour.
The festival is designed for families with children, with entertainment for different ages. Whistle & Trick is aimed at younger children under five, while Diver City is geared towards kids aged five to 10, alongside activities the whole family can enjoy.
Yes. Families can finish their Christmas Festival experience with Santa before heading to Cockle Bay to enjoy the Darling Harbour fireworks.
Yes. Santa will make a special arrival at the Darling Harbour Christmas Festival, creating a magical Christmas moment for families.
The Darling Harbour Christmas Festival brings together free kids’ entertainment, live performances, interactive games, competitions, Christmas crafts, face painting, letters to Santa, roving performers and a special Santa arrival at Tumbalong Park.
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Fireworks at Cockle Bay

End the night with a bang by heading over to Cockle Bay at 9pm to watch the sky above the harbour light up with spectacular bursts of fireworks.

ROCKIN' AROUND THE HARBOUR

DARLING HARBOUR CHRISTMAS

Give yourself the gift of a good time at Darling Harbour this Christmas with show-stopping decorations, epic water-front celebrations and the much-loved Christmas Festival.

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