Sydneysiders love Christmas and we love attending outdoor Christmas Carols in Sydney where we can relax and enjoy a delicious picnic with our family and friends, then watch the sun go down before getting into the Christmas spirit and singing our favourite Christmas carols.
It can however be confusing to decide which Xmas Carols Sydney wide to attend. In this Ultimate Guide To Christmas Carols Sydney 2023 we detail some of the most popular Sydney Christmas Carols events as well as some of our favourite unique Carols By Candlelight Sydney events to help you plan which Christmas carols around Sydney to attend this year.
Whether you are looking for Christmas Carols for kids concerts with kid-friendly pre-carols entertainment like rides and face painting, or whether you are looking for a unique carols location like a zoo, around a lake, by the sea, under the branches of the tallest Christmas tree in NSW or even in a graveyard we’ve got it covered plus more! We also tell you which Sydney Carols By Candlelight concerts include a spectacular finale of fireworks.
Participating in Sydney Christmas Carols is a traditional, fun and festive family friendly activity sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. Other fun Christmas activities to enjoy in Sydney include visiting Sydney Christmas markets to start your Christmas gift shopping, viewing the spectacular Sydney Christmas light displays, visiting a Sydney Christmas tree farm to buy a real Christmas tree, watching a Christmas show with your kids and indulging in a luxurious Christmas high tea. Our family also loves getting a family Santa photo with our pet dog each year.
We hope this guide helps you find the best Christmas carols Sydney for you and your family to enjoy this year.
Happy Christmas caroling!
Christmas Carols Sydney City
There is something extra special about travelling into the city to enjoy Sydney carols events, especially when you’re a kid. I remember looking forward to it each year when I was a child. Here are our favourite Sydney city carols events.
Carols In The Domain, Sydney 2023
Carols At The Domain Sydney is Australia’s largest carols concert with Australia’s biggest stars coming together to celebrate Christmas. It is the Sydney Christmas carols event I have been attending for over 20 years now, first as a child with my family, then with my friends and now with my own children.
The Christmas Carols In The Domain is easily the most popular Christmas carols in Sydney. Sing along Christmas carols fill the entire Domain with thousands of voices joining in making it such a spectacular and joyous event. This year is the 40th anniversary of this iconic Sydney Christmas event so it’s sure to be even bigger and better than usual.
The Carols In The Domain 2023 date is yet to be confirmed. Hopefully they again have a sneak preview of the big event this year on the day before the actual Carols performance to support the Salvation Army. I will update this article as soon as an announcement is made.
The gates usually open at 1pm with food trucks and sponsor activations available during the afternoon. The Carols pre-show concert then starts at 4pm and the Christmas Carols concert itself usually starts from 7.30pm.
Last year you could just turn up on the night for the Domain Christmas Carols. The Festive Lawn is a huge, free and non-ticketed area.
There are however various Carols In The Domain Ticket options available including reserved beach chair seating.
There is also a Sheraton Grand Gallery High Tea Diamond Package available which includes a scrumptious high tea by the Sheraton Grand Gallery Restaurant with a bottle of sparkling wine while you watch the show from a comfy armchair with a table in the premium seating area. Talk about doing carols in luxe style!
If you only plan to attend one Christmas Carols event in Sydney then I highly recommend the Domain Sydney Christmas Carols. If you can’t attend in person this event is televised as well but the atmosphere of singalong Christmas carols live at the event is so much more amazing.
Where: The Domain, St Mary’s Rd, Sydney
Date: TBC for 2023
Check out all the details of Carols In Domain here including details of Carols In The Domain tickets.
Martin Place Carols 2023
Get into the festive spirit and enjoy listening to the best Sydney choirs singing Christmas carols under the twinkling lights and branches of the Martin Place Christmas Tree every night in December leading up to Christmas Eve.
Where: Martin Place Christmas Tree, Martin Place
Times: 6pm – 8pm
Christmas Carols Northern Beaches
Manly Carols 2023, Manly Oval
The Northern Beaches Council Christmas Choral Concert is a popular free carols by candlelight Sydney event held on Manly Oval.
Sing along to your favourite Christmas carols together with a Christmas choir and range of musicians. Santa will also be visiting this Manly Christmas Carols 2023 event which is sure to delight the kids. This Christmas carols event is a great way to kick off the festive season.
Food and drink are available on site or you can bring your own picnic feast but do be aware no glass is allowed at this event. Dogs are not allowed either. The event opens at 5pm with the carols starting at 6.30pm.
Where: Manly Oval, Sydney Rd & Belgrave St, Manly
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Check out the Northern Beaches Council website for more information.
Christmas By The Beach, Dee Why Carols 2023
Who doesn’t love to sit back next to the beach to enjoy traditional Christmas carols and a Sydney Christmas children’s concert. This is a fun family festive event with entertainment for everyone.
Bring your own picnic or buy some delicious takeaway from one of Dee Why’s many restaurants. Another option is to buy food from one of the onsite food vendors that will be open from 4pm to 7.30pm.
Where: James Meehan Reserve, Clyde Road, Dee Why
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: 5.00pm – 7.30pm
Check out the Northern Beaches Council website for more information about these Dee Why Carols.
Carols By The Lake 2023, Narrabeen
2023 will be the 18th year of Carols By The Lake. This Narrabeen Carols event is hosted by The Link Church and is supported by the Northern Beaches Council with Pittwater RSL being a major sponsor and providing the Fireworks Spectacular over the Lake.
Carols by the Lake is a premier Northern Beaches family community event attracting thousands of people from across the Northern Beaches.
Narrabeen Lake provides a scenic backdrop to this traditional carols event, the arrival of Santa and the spectacular fireworks display.
Although the carols start in the evening, we recommend getting to the event early and enjoying the afternoon outdoors by the lake with family and friends.
This is a free event and everyone is encouraged to either bring along a picnic or purchase food from the numerous food trucks on site.
Where: Lakeside Park, Pittwater Rd, North Narrabeen
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: 4pm – 9.15pm
Find out more about Carols By The Lake Narrabeen.
You may also be interested in reading our article on where to see the best Christmas light displays on the Northern Beaches.
Frenchs Forest Lions Carols 2023
The Frenchs Forest Carols event has been hosted by the Lions club of Frenchs Forest for a massive 46 years now.
These Frenchs Forest local carols feature kids entertainment, farm animals, loads of food and ice cream and of course the Christmas carols themselves. Entry to these carols is free but fundraising will take place to support the Lions children’s cancer research foundation.
Where: Lionel Watts Reserve, Blackbutts Rd, Frenchs Forest
Date: TBC foe 2023
Time: 4.30pm – 8.30pm
Pittwater Carols At The Beach 2023
Enjoy the choir, food trucks and stalls, face painting, kids characters and a visit from Santa at Pittwater Carols at the Beach at beautiful Avalon Beach.
This carols event near me will also feature a spectacular fireworks show over our Avalon Beach to end the festivities.
Where: Avalon Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, 58A Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: 4pm – 9pm
See more info about this Pittwater caroling event HERE.
Mona Vale Carols 2023
Mona Vale Carols, hosted by the Rotary Club of upper Northern Beaches, is back again for the 20th year this year. It is so good to see more Christmas events happening in Sydney again this year.
Where: Village Park, 1A Park St, Mona Vale
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Christmas Carols North Shore, Sydney
Taronga Zoo Christmas Concert 2023
Another not to be missed carols by candlelight 2023 Sydney event is the Taronga Zoo Christmas Concert. This family friendly entertainment is set in the delightful surrounds of Taronga Zoo with the iconic backdrop of Sydney Harbour. If you have friends visiting with kids from outside Sydney this is the perfect Christmas candlelight concert Sydney to bring them to. The kids will love the concert as will the adults who will also enjoy the spectacular Sydney Harbour views.
The Christmas concert line up includes an all star cast of performers, singers and musicians. Santa Claus and Mrs Claus also make an appearance.
A variety of food and beverage options are available to purchase or you can bring your own picnic with you.
This is a ticketed event.
Where: Taronga Zoo, Bradley’s Head Rd, Mosman
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: Gates open at 6.00pm. Concert is from 7.00pm – 8.30pm.
Read more details about the Taronga Zoo Christmas Concert and ticket costs here.
Carols in Willoughby Park 2023
Carols in Willoughby Park is a popular family-friendly event run by Willoughby City Council. The event kicks off at 4pm with loads of activities such as fairground rides and slides, face painting and a visit from Santa. An extensive range of international food is available on site, or you can bring your own picnic to enjoy.
The Willoughby Band, Willoughby Symphony Choir and a guest choir will get you into the festive spirit with both traditional carols and some funky favourites.
Bring your deck chairs and picnic blankets to settle back in once the carol sing-along extravaganza starts from 6.30pm. This is a free community event.
Where: Willoughby Park, McClelland St, North Willoughby
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: 4pm – 8.00pm with the actual carols starting at 6.30pm.
Find out more details about Carols in Willoughby Park here.
San Carols 2023, Wahroonga
Returning to the Village Green at Sydney Adventist Hospital, this years’ San Carols event will commence at 4pm with kids and family activities including a meet and greet with Bluey and Bingo, food stalls and Santa photos, followed by the popular kids concert at 7pm. The main carols program will commence at 7.30pm.
The main event will this year feature Ian Stenlake, alongside TV and musical theatre star Penny McNamee and Sydney singer/song-writing duo Jess & Matt. They will be supported by local Carols regular Jana Aveling, the talented Wahroonga Adventist School Choir, and Dave Martin and the Carols band.
Where: Village Green, Sydney Adventist Hospital, 185 Fox Valley Rd, Wahroonga
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: 4pm – 9pm
Check out the San Carols website HERE for more details.
Carols On The Common, Ryde Rotary Carols 2023
Ryde Rotary Carols On The Common is an authentic carols experience and is Sydney’s second largest Christmas carols event featuring all your favourite classic carols with the best performers from all over Sydney.
Pre-carol entertainment includes a giant slide, dodgem cars and other rides. Food vendors and a sausage sizzle will be available throughout the duration of the event. Parking is available on-site for a gold coin donation. Money raised on the night goes to various local and international projects run by the Rotary Clubs of Macquarie Park and North Ryde.
An awe-inspiring firework display will close out the night.
Local Sydney candlelight concerts don’t get any better than this.
Where: North Ryde Commons, corner Wicks & Twin Road, North Ryde
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: 5.30pm – 9.30pm
See more details about this carols by candlelight Sydney Carols On The Common event here.
Thornleigh Community Carols 2023
The Thornleigh Community Carols with twilight markets, entertainment and food stalls are back again for 2023. Bring your picnic rug and grab a spot on the grass, wander through the incredible local markets, and then it’ll be dinner & dessert time before singing along to your favourite Christmas carols from 7:30pm.
Where: Headen Park, Thornleigh
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: From 5.00pm to 9.00pm
Find out more about these Thornleigh Carols here.
Christmas Carols Eastern Suburbs Sydney
Carols By the Sea 2023, Bondi Beach
Carols By The Sea is an annual Christmas Carols Eastern Suburbs Sydney community event run by Waverley Council. It features live choir Christmas carol performances as well as kids’ entertainment. The audience is invited to sing along with the performers and song sheets are distributed during the event.
The event is free to attend but some activities such as face painting and craft require a small payment that will be donated to charities.
As with most carols events attendees are encouraged to bring along a blanket to sit on.
Where: Dolphin Court, Bondi Park, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: 4.30pm – 7pm
Coogee Carols 2023
It’s so exciting to see that the magical Coogee Carols are back again this Christmas after being suspended for the past two years due to the pandemic.
The carols have been running for over 20 years, with this year’s carols marking the 21st time the event has brought Christmas cheer to the eastern suburbs. This event will include both celebrity and local performances with a mix of contemporary and traditional carols, as well as a 7 piece band.
Randwick Council announced the free event will go ahead on Sunday December 18 in Goldstein Reserve, right on the waterfront near Coogee Beach.
Where: Goldstein Reserve, Coogee Beach
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Find more info about the Coogee Carols HERE.
Christmas Carols Western Sydney
Christmas Carols Penrith 2023
The Penrith Carols on the Course at Emu Sports Club are back bigger than ever. In addition to the fantastic selection of local entertainment, fireworks, face painting, BBQ and bar, this year they will also have showground rides and food trucks!
Ride wristbands will be available to purchase on the night for $15 each, for the duration of the event. All proceeds from the night will support local charity ‘Our Community Cares’.
Where: Emu Plains Sports Club, 1 Leonay Parade, Leonay
Date: TBC for 2023
Time: 5.30pm – 10pm
Campbelltown Christmas Carols 2023
Santa and his helpers are spreading the Christmas cheer across Campbelltown at five park locations when the Rocking Around Campbelltown Christmas Convoy comes to town in December.
Each park will have free face painting, food trucks with sweet and savoury options, live music including classic Christmas carols, showbags and a chance to meet Santa and snap a photo with him.
Date: TBC for 2023
Click HERE to find out the exact locations and times of the Rocking Around Campbelltown Convoy.
We hope this guide has helped you plan your Sydney Carols By Candlelight visit for this year.
Happy caroling and Merry Christmas!
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Ingrid is a lover of all things Christmas who has been helping make Christmas time easier and less stressful for her family and friends all her life with Christmas tips, Christmas gift suggestions, Christmas recipe inspiration and Christmas event planning.
Ingrid now shares all this Christmas information here on her Christmas Time Made Easy website. She also shares information about the best Christmas events and activities happening in her home town of Sydney, Australia.