The German International School Sydney Christmas Market is the best Christmas Market in Sydney for families.
This annual Christmas Market is located on the school grounds at 33 Myoora Rd, Terrey Hills and is held every year over two evenings in mid to late August.
The GISS does an incredible job transforming its playgrounds and classrooms into a magical Winter wonderland for their Christmas Market. This Sydney Xmas market is modelled on European Christmas markets and there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy. There is an amazing festive atmosphere to soak up while you wander among the open air market stalls that are beautifully lit up with twinkling fairy lights, do some Christmas gift shopping, sample Glühwein at the Glühwein hut, savour a bratwurst or two and enjoy the entertainment, rides and crafts.
Read on to find out more about this festive Christmas market. I am lucky to have such amazing local Christmas markets near me.
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Best Christmas Market In Sydney for Families
GISS Sydney Christmas Market Stalls
This Sydney Christmas night markets is filled with local artisans’ open air market stalls selling unique jewellery, handmade crafts, candles, artisan chocolates, Christmas decorations and more. It is the perfect opportunity to start your Christmas gift shopping in August with a vast array of original gifts to choose for your loved ones, or yourself.
German Christmas Market Food
I love that the GISS Christmas Market is based on traditional German Christmas Markets and one of my favourite things to do at the GISS Christmas Market is to sample all the traditional German food like Bratwurst, giant pretzels, warming soups and Glühwein.
Did you know that pretzels are traditionally associated with good luck and eternal love?
Non-German food such as vegan and Indian curries, sushi, waffles and fairy floss are also available at this German Xmas market, but for me it’s too good an opportunity to sample authentic German food to try anything else.
Glühwein is a traditional German treat and one of the great pleasures of Christmas and the winter months in Germany. Glühwein, or mulled wine, as it is known in English consists of hot red wine, sugar, cinnamon, cloves and orange. Traditionally in Germany Glühwein is served in a cute mug and the GISS Christmas Market have their own special mugs for the Glühwein.
The kids don’t miss out either, they can purchase a mug of Kinderpunch, (children’s punch) a German non-alcoholic hot juice. Hot chocolate is also available.
Roasting giant marshmallows is another popular food activity at the GISS Christmas Market.
Delicious traditional German Christmas cookies are available to purchase too.
GISS German Christmas Market Craft
One of the reasons why the GISS German Christmas Market is the best Christmas Market in Sydney for kids is the variety of Christmas craft activities available. There is German wooden Christmas ornament decorating, t-shirt tie dyeing and face painting.
The handmade wooden Christmas market ornaments are wonderful keepsakes and also make wonderful personalised Christmas gifts that your children can give other family members and friends to hang on their Christmas trees.
German Xmas Market Rides & Games
Another reason why the GISS Christmas Market is the best Sydney Christmas Market for kids is the wide range of rides and games it includes for kids of all ages.
There is bungee jumping, dodgem cars, inflatable slides and castles as well as a virtual reality ride.
The school hall is also set up with various games and activities for kids to enjoy and the local rural fire brigade attend the German Xmas market with an information display as well as one of their fire trucks the kids can climb in and explore.
GISS Sydney Xmas Market Lantern Walk
The Lantern Walk is a German tradition where children walk along the streets holding colourful and sometimes hand made lanterns while singing traditional songs. The Lantern Walk is one of the highlights for kids at the GISS Sydney Christmas Market. Children can buy a brightly coloured lantern from the lantern stall and then participate in this beautiful custom.
The Lantern Walk is led by a traditional German accordion player and other musicians and everyone joins in with the singing.
The benefit of having a lantern walk at a Sydney night Christmas market is that the lit up lanterns make such a spectacular sight in the dark of night.
GISS Christmas Market Entertainment
The GISS Christmas market has a comprehensive program of Christmas market entertainment including the GISS Choir and String Assemble, jazz and ballet performances, children’s entertainment and even a fire juggle and LED hula hoop show.
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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.