Every Year, We Fall in Love With Christmas at the QVB All Over Again

In partnership with QVB, we’re bringing back that lovely feeling of having something to look forward to at Christmas. Not another obligation in the diary, but a day you’ll be counting down to.

There’s something about Christmas beneath a stained-glass dome.

At the Queen Victoria Building, a Sydney landmark since 1898, the festive season plays out among intricate tiled floors, sweeping arcades and a magnificent Christmas Tree. Santa returns with a reimagined experience for families, while the boutiques are filled with covetable things to give (and a few you may decide to keep).

A leisurely lunch, an afternoon of gift shopping, the pleasure of dressing up for a day in the city. All the makings of a special Christmas tradition.

From the first glimpse of that extraordinary tree to the final beautifully wrapped gift, here’s how to spend a festive day at the QVB.

On The Itinerary: The Must-See Lineup

The QVB knows how to make an occasion of things year-round, but Christmas is when its grand halls really come into their own.

Christmas Installations

The day begins with the tree. The unveiling of the 2026 Christmas Tree on 5 November marks the start of the season, and at more than 20 metres tall, spanning three floors, it’s quite the spectacle. Gaze up from the ground floor, then make your way through each level and watch the decorations change as you go. You’ll want to take it all in before the shopping begins.

Santa is making a return, too, with the QVB’s reimagined Santa Experience set to launch mid-November. A much-loved Christmas tradition for Sydney families, it’s a chance for little ones to share their wish lists with the man in red and make memories inside one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. Keep an eye on the QVB website for details.

Concerts For All

In partnership with Concerts For All, the QVB also hosts complimentary classical concerts each month. Centred around the grand piano on the first floor, performances by talented young musicians fill the historic halls with music. Each concert features a different lineup of instruments and performers, with the next festive-season performance scheduled for Saturday 5 December. A rather lovely soundtrack to an afternoon of Christmas shopping.

Level One Grand Piano

Queen Spa

While there’s no denying the excitement of the season, a little time to yourself is always welcome. If you’re craving a moment to recharge after a morning on your feet, retreat into the tranquil Queen Spa, where you can rest weary legs and indulge in a well-deserved treatment. Pressed for time? A quick 20-minute head, foot or shoulder massage will do the trick, while those wanting something more indulgent can book a treatment of up to 120 minutes.

Shop 2-037, Level Two

KODA Cutters

The pre-Christmas to-do list stretches well beyond gift shopping and decorating. Somewhere between the wrapping and the wreath-hanging sits the hair appointment, and if yours is still unbooked, pop downstairs to KODA Cutters, where the expert team tailors every cut, colour and treatment to your hair’s individual needs.

Shop 14, Level One

On The Menu: Where To Dine In The QVB

Every exceptional day out in the city starts with something delicious (and a good coffee, but we’ll get to that). With more than 25 dining options throughout the QVB, there’s plenty to choose from, but if it were up to us, here’s where we’d begin.

Manon Brasserie

At the Park Street end of the QVB, Manon Brasserie serves French-style fare all day long. Inside, you’ll find cherry-red booth seating, bistro floor tiles and stretches of marble along the bar, while the alfresco area is made for early-morning people-watching. Order breakfast classics like croque madame and French toast, or the fluffy soufflé pancakes with hazelnut crème, paired with the indulgent chocolat chaud, a thick, creamy hot chocolate topped with house-made whipped cream.

Ground Floor, Park Street End

Dutch Smuggler

For a caffeine hit between gift stops, make a beeline for Dutch Smuggler. Located on the lower ground level, this speciality coffee shop celebrates Indonesian coffee, sourcing distinctive beans and roasting them to bring out their rich, complex flavours. And if shopping has worked up an appetite, its cult-favourite Indomie Goreng toasties are another excellent reason to stop.

Lower Ground Level

The Tea Room QVB

A trip to The Tea Room QVB is simply a must for any visit, and once you see the ornate ceilings and twinkling chandeliers, you’ll understand why. With fine Royal Albert china and British silverware laid out to perfection, settle in for an assortment of freshly made finger sandwiches, delicate pastries and house-made scones with jam and cream. It’s the ideal midday pause before an afternoon of wishlist shopping.

Level Three, North End

On The Wishlist: The Stores You Can’t Skip

Get a head start on your Christmas shopping while exploring all five floors of the QVB.

Throughout the building, you’ll find Australian and international labels spanning high-end fashion, coveted beauty and artisanal food, with plenty of opportunities to discover something wonderful along the way.

The Style Edit

Some gifts are worth taking your time over, and the QVB’s fashion boutiques make the search a pleasure. Start at R.M.Williams on the ground floor, home to Australian-made leather goods built to last. If you’re looking for inspiration, the Comfort Craftsman Boots are a classic choice, as comfortable on weekends spent outdoors as they are on days in the office. Once you’re done, make your way to Oroton on the same level: we’re coveting their slouchy Cleo Suede Shoulder Bag, which can also be worn crossbody. Be warned, though: this season’s entire lookbook is so good you’ll probably end up wanting it all.

The Foodie Edit

If your giftee’s idea of a good present involves something delicious, head to Haigh’s Chocolates. For an easy stocking filler, you can’t go wrong with the Milk Pastilles Gift Tin. If you’d like to make a bigger impression, the Milk Selection Wildflowers Hamper is the one to reach for. Don’t forget to enjoy a complimentary chocolate tasting on your way out before stepping into spice specialist Gewürzhaus. Its Fire & Smoke Gift Pack is ideal for the home cook, host or barbecue enthusiast, bringing warmth and spice to their next gathering.

The Beauty Edit

For the self-care enthusiast, treat them to something from Dior Beauty, like the Miss Dior Beauty Ritual, which pairs Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet fragrance with a Dior Addict Lip Glow in a limited-edition festive pouch. For a gentler, everyday indulgence, L’Occitane’s Almond Cleanse & Mist Duo brings together the brand’s signature almond shower oil and a deliciously scented Crème Brûlée hair and body mist. Both sets come beautifully packaged, ready to wrap and place beneath the tree.

The gifts may be sorted by the time you leave, but it’s the afternoon itself that stays with you. The long lunch, the music drifting overhead, that final look up at the tree before heading home. After all, the loveliest Christmas traditions have a way of beginning with a day you wish would last a little longer. Plan your visit to the QVB today.