What's On in Sydney: Your Ultimate Guide for December & Beyond

The festive season has hit, and calendars are full with Christmas parties aplenty. It's time for long lunches, sunset rooftop drinks and plenty of trips to the beach. There's nothing quite like December in Sydney and we're here to help you make the most of it. Read on for our edit of what's on in Sydney this month...

Score 49% Off Drinks at House Made Hospitality Venues This January 

Cashflow is a little lacking come January which is why House Made Hospitality are offering to lighten the load. Head in to any of their participating venues — Lana, Easy Tiger, Apollonia, Martinez Terrace, Bar Mammoni, Island Radio, The Carrington, Wentworth Bar and Bar Tilda — between 3pm and 6pm daily to get in on the deal. 

The drinks list includes the likes of classic negronis, strawberry spritzes, Bondi Brewing Co. draught beers, and a selection of Australian-made wines. A great way to cool down post-summer day! 

Thursday 2nd January to Friday 31st January, 3pm to 6pm 

LouLou Terrace (Image Credit: Steven Woodburn) 

Spend an Afternoon in Provenance with LouLou Bistro's Outdoor Terrace

Make the most of Sydney's lush summer and book a long lunch on LouLou's terrace. The vibe? Market fresh seafood — think Sydney Rock oysters with vermouth mignonette, Yama prawns and Queensland spanner crab —, fresh baguettes, Lillet spritz and rosé by the glass. Swing by for an afternoon of oysters and aperitifs or linger for longer. 

Throughout Summer 

61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point

Embrace the Best of Summer With This Fresh New Seasonal Menu

From twists on summer Italian classics to fresh seafood showcased in new and exciting ways, Harbourfront Seafood is the ultimate dining destination this season thanks to its brand-new summer menu. 

Renowned for delivering premium seafood with a contemporary twist in the heart of one of Sydney’s most historic precincts, the restaurant's new menu includes a burrata bursting with the fresh summer flavours of compressed cucumber and watermelon, an Italian-inspired tagliatelle featuring sea urchin cream, fresh sea urchin roe and Avruga caviar, and a distinctly Aussie take on dining with chargrilled kangaroo striploin and crocodile tail paired with native ingredients.

Experience Harbourfront Seafood’s new summer menu for yourself by booking a table here.

Harbourfront Seafood Sydney

Campbell's Stores Bay, The Rocks

Become a Seafood Master Chef With Sydney Seafood School 

With the warmer weather here to stay, now is the perfect time to up the ante of your grilling, frying and barbequing skills. Sydney Seafood School hosts innovative cooking experiences for all skill levels, with classes inspired by the freshest catches, seasonal ingredients and flavours from all over the world. 

Sydney Seafood School's program of summer classes—think a Summer BBQ or a Summer Italian class—will help you make the most of the festive seafood season while being a fun way to make friends, forge new memories with loved ones and impress everyone with your newfound seafood skills. 

Learn more about Sydney Seafood School's summer classes here.

The Foodie Event of the Year: Danielle Alvarez x Dan Hunter

If food is your one true passion, you won't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event. For the first time, Dan Hunter of Brae will be heading to Sydney to collab with chef and culinary director of the Opera House event venues, Danielle Alvarez. They'll be curating a 6-course food journey showcasing the best our country has to offer. If you fancy going all out, there's a wine pairing option, too. You'll even head home with a special memento of the occasion. As for the location? On top of being hosted within one of the world's most recognized landmarks, the Yallamundi Rooms will be further transformed by stylist Fiona Rae to pay homage to the beauty of nature and both chef's garden-to-table and rural approaches. 

Friday 17th January 2025 to Monday 20th January 2025, 6:30pm to 10:30pm 

$450 per person with additional $265 for wine pairing, tickets available for purchase here 

Yallamundi Room, Sydney Opera House 

Embrace Festive Tradition at the QVB This Christmas 

There's hardly a more iconic place in Sydney to visit during the festival season than the Queen Victoria Building, and this year, the decorations are more beautiful than ever. 

Not only can you tick off all of your Christmas shopping in one spot thanks to a huge range of one-of-a-kind artisan stores, but the iconic three-storey Christmas tree is a must-visit for any yuletide trip. And with a light and sound show every two hours from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm daily, i'ts the perfect place to soak up the magic of the season.

Queen Victoria Building

455 George Street, Sydney

Head into the Newly Opened Saardé Store for a Hosting Season Refresh

Fantastic news for homeware and lifestyle enthusiasts! Sydneysiders can now shop Saardé IRL with the opening of their brand-new Surry Hills store. The shopping experience is top tier with the flagship store nestled amongst the just-opened Wunderlich Lane precinct. Seven-metre-high ceilings meet arched windows, an earthy palette, textured design elements and a custom pink, green and beige marble basin for testing the brand's glorious olive-oil based body products. 

Head on in to experience the concept store in all its glory and pick up some bits and pieces to elevate your hosting game. 

Shop L116, 2 Baptist Street, Surry Hills 

Soak up the Beauty of Christmas at the Strand Arcade

Twinkling fairy lights wrapped around ornate balconies, stunning decor suspended from the ceiling and storefronts decked out in their winter wonderland best: the Strand Arcade has it all this Christmas. 

Whether you're on the lookout for something special from an iconic Australian brand, a truly memorable gift for your most house-proud friend, or a delectable seasonal treat from Haigh's Chocolates or Gewurzhaus, this browser's paradise is your one-stop for all the items on your festive wish list.

The Strand Arcade

412-414 George Street, Sydney

Take a Dip at Sydney Harbour's Newest Swimming Spot

The good people at Pier One Sydney Harbour sure know how to have a good time. They've just transformed their private pontoon into a free swimming spot for anyone and everyone. Giving beach club vibes with a side of incredible views, you can book for groups of 10+ or just turn up. Entry is free and guests can order food and drinks straight from the bar! 

Free 

Friday 1st November to Friday 31st January, 11am to 6pm 

Pier One Sydney Harbour 

Make Your Own Ring at This Popular Hands-On Workshop

If you'd like to pop something special into your calendar this summer, consider booking a spot at this ring workshop series. Held at Sydney favourite Freshwater Brewing Co, the two-hour masterclass is run by skilled craftspeople from The Fifth Lane. You'll get to make two of your very own sterling silver or 9ct gold rings from scratch, all whilst sipping on a cold brew from the bar. Perfect for beginners, it's a great way to socialise differently this summer. 

$200 per person, bookings can be made here

Saturday 21st December, 8am to 11am or 12pm to 3pm and Sunday 5th January, 8am to 11am or 12pm to 3pm 

4 Powells Road, Brookdale 

Celebrate Summer with Sydney's Most Luxurious Super Yacht 

The Jackson, an incredibly luxe super yacht, is serving up a a bunch of lush events perfect for the warmer weather this season. The Spring-Summer series consists of six bespoke events, all designed to highlight Sydney's unparalleled harbour. We're talking Chandon harbour long lunches, New Year's Eve aboard The Jackson and chef-curated dinners. Drop this in the group chat and cue the good times. Head over here for all the event details. 

From Saturday 28th September 

Westpac OpenAir 2025 Season 

Dubbed the world's most beautiful cinema, Westpac OpenAir is back for another season. Soak up summer in Sydney with the best seat in the house. There's no need to feel guilty for sitting in the cinema on a perfect summer's day anymore! Take this unique op to enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House while watching a curation of top films. 

Tickets to new releases A Complete Unknown, Babygirl, Queer, The Count of Monte Cristo, Gladiator II and Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy and more are all on sale now. 

A festival of food will also run alongside the film lineup with bites spanning all price points. If you're feeling fancy, book into Summer House Dining by Danielle Alvarez (ex-Freds). For those after something a little more casual, Fabbrica at Chandon will be offering a delicious pasta bar menu and Luke Nguyen at The Point will offer casual Vietnamese-fusion bites. 

Something a bit special for your summer cal! 

Thursday 9th January to Tuesday 18th February 2025 

Mrs Macquaries Point 

South Eveleigh Summer Club 

Make the most of the gloriously light evenings with our new favourite third place, South Eveleigh. For two weeks, the precinct will be treated to a summer glow-up with a load of free activities. There will be a sweet treat pop-up full of Aussie favourites, a blow-up volleyball court, a mechanical ride-on surfboard, a surfy Santa and even a foam pool. Make the most of it by checking out the full program here. 

From Monday 2nd December 

Locomotive Street, Eveleigh 

Flickerfest 2025

Cinephiles, it's that time of year. For the 34th year running, Flickerfest will be returning to Bondi to kick off their national short film comp tour. The 10-day festival will host over 200 short films with the full program available to be viewed here. Tune in to over 63 Australian films, 36 international films and 16 documentaries. A great day out paired with a swim at our iconic Bondi Beach! 

Friday 17th January to Sunday 26th January 

Bondi Pavillion 

Cao Fei: My City is Yours 

Recently voted one of the most influential artists in the world, Cao Fei's retrospective charts the rapid urbanisation of China and the global digital revolutions of the past 20 years. Her multimedia approach — films, photography and installation — makes this exhibition an immersive experience not to be missed. You'll move through a 'cityscape' that will take you from Fukoka to New York and all the way back to Sydney again. 

From $30, tickets available here 

Saturday 30th November 2024 to Sunday 13th April 2025 

Art Gallery of NSW 

Visit a Christmas Display With a Difference at The Galeries

This is festive decorating, but not as you know it. Celebrated artist Bradley Eastman, aka Beastman, has stepped into the spotlight as part of The Galeries' Artists in Residence program, creating a festive-themed piece designed to make you feel wrapped in the artwork like a gift. 

The patterns guide visitors towards a large structural installation, meaning you can combine an immersive art experience with your Christmas gift shopping all at the same time.

500 George Street, Sydney

Catch a Flick at the Laneway Cinema 

Save some cash this summer with the return of The Laneway Cinema in The Rocks. Settle in on bean bags and deck chairs for a movie under the stars. The cinema will be open every Wednesday from 7pm with free tickets available online and walk-ins welcome. You can also make a donation for popcorn with all proceeds going to a different charity each month, 

Free

Wednesday 6th November to Wednesday 26th March 2025 

The Rocks

Cirque Du Soleil Luzia 

Renowned contemporary circus performance group Cirque Du Soleil has just touched down in Sydney once again with their latest show, LUZIA. The show takes guests on a dreamlike journey through Mexico via folklore stories, acrobatic performances and a mesmerising soundtrack. The perfect Christmas present, perhaps? 

From $80, tickets available here 

Sunday 24th November 2024 to Sunday 9th February 2025 

Big Top, The Entertainment Quarter 

Mov'In Bed Beach Cinema Barangaroo 

An outdoor cinema but make it comfy. Mov'In Bed is back for another year and the creature comforts are top-tier. Barangaroo's harbour park has transformed into a beach, complete with bean beds and Australia's largest outdoor screen. But the best bit? You can get food and drinks delivered straight to your outdoor bed! Pizzas, organic wine, frozen cocktails...the options are bountiful! Head over here for the lineup of films. 

Tickets from $12

29th November 2024 Until March 2025 

Harbour Park, Barangaroo 

Looking for more fun things to do in Sydney? We have plenty to keep you entertained. From Sydney's best new degustation menus and best bottomless brunches to the best Mexican restaurants in town and where to go for a dreamy Sydney staycation, here's all you need for a weekend in the city. 

Our Sitchu editors work hard to deliver you the best products, events and venues that we hope you will love, each one is selected independently. Sitchu may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.