December in Sydney runs on a handful of fixed dates, and the whole month is easier once you know them. Carols in the Domain is Saturday 19 December. The Sydney to Hobart starts at 1pm on Boxing Day. The New Year's Eve fireworks go up at 9pm and midnight. Everything else can be planned around those four.
Below is the December calendar with times and locations, what is on around the harbour at Walsh Bay and Pyrmont, and where a table fits into a day that is already busy. Dates were checked in early November 2026; confirm with each organiser before you travel, because December programmes shift.
The December 2026 Dates That Matter
| Date | What is on | Where | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Nov to 24 Dec | Martin Place Christmas Markets | Martin Place | Selected days |
| Every Fri, Sat and Sun | The Rocks Markets | George and Playfair Streets | Fri 10am to 3pm, weekends 10am to 5pm |
| Sat 19 Dec | Carols in the Domain | The Domain | Gates from 1pm |
| Fri 25 Dec | Christmas Day | Across Sydney | Public holiday |
| Sat 26 Dec | Sydney to Hobart start | Sydney Harbour | 1pm AEDT |
| Mon 28 Dec | Additional NSW public holiday | Across NSW | Boxing Day falls on a Saturday |
| Thu 31 Dec | New Year's Eve fireworks | Sydney Harbour | 9pm and midnight |
Three public holidays land in that final week, on the Friday, the Saturday and the following Monday, which makes it a genuine four day weekend and the busiest restaurant stretch of the year.
Carols in the Domain, Saturday 19 December
Gates open from 1pm and the broadcast runs into the evening. Entry to the Festive Lawn is free, while reserved seating and picnic lawn spots are ticketed through the official site. Parking around The Domain is limited, so the train to St James or Martin Place is the sensible approach.
It is a long afternoon in the sun, so plan for an early lunch beforehand rather than trying to eat on the lawn.
Boxing Day: The Sydney to Hobart Start
The fleet crosses the start line at 1pm AEDT on Saturday 26 December, and the harbour fills with spectator boats from mid morning. From the shore, the eastern headlands give the best view of the fleet heading out: South Head, Watsons Bay, Christison Park at Vaucluse and the headlands further south.
Closer to the city, the harbour foreshore gives you the build up rather than the exit, which suits anyone who wants lunch on the water instead of a hike to a clifftop. Boxing Day lunch bookings in that part of town go early, because it is a public holiday and the whole city is out.
New Year's Eve: 9pm and Midnight
Two shows, not one. The earlier display at 9pm suits families and anyone who does not want to be out until 1am, and the midnight display is the main event. Vantage points around the harbour open early in the day, some are ticketed, and the free ones reach capacity well before dark. The official Sydney New Year's Eve site lists every vantage point and which ones need a ticket.
If you would rather pick a spot than read a list, the guide to the best places to watch the NYE fireworks covers the vantage points worth the walk and the ones that fill first.
Christmas Markets and Shopping
The Martin Place Christmas Markets run from late November through to Christmas Eve on selected days, and they are the easiest stop if you are already in the CBD. The Rocks Markets trade Friday through Sunday and extend their trading in the lead up to Christmas, which makes them the better option for handmade gifts.
Both are walkable from the harbour side of the city, so a market morning and a late lunch is a straightforward plan.
Theatre and Shows in December
December is the strongest month of the year for Sydney theatre, and two of the main stages sit next door to a table.
At Walsh Bay, Wharf 1 Theatre is running The Gospel According to Paul until 20 December, a few minutes' walk along Hickson Road from the piers. In Pyrmont, the Sydney Lyric has A Beautiful Noise through December, Wednesday to Saturday.
Pre-theatre dining is the thing most people get wrong in December, because an 8pm curtain and a 7pm booking leaves no room for a busy kitchen. Book for 6pm and tell the venue you have a show.
Christmas Day and the Days Around It
Christmas Day falls on a Friday in 2026, which means a long weekend straight into Boxing Day and the Sydney to Hobart. A few things worth knowing:
- Book Christmas lunch by late November. Harbour tables go first and the good sittings are gone by early December.
- Expect a public holiday surcharge on 25 and 26 December, and again on Monday 28 December.
- Check transport timetables. Services run to holiday schedules on all three days.
- Beaches are packed on Christmas Day. Coogee and Bondi are the traditional choice, and both need an early start for a spot.
Christmas Day sittings at both harbour venues are set out on the Christmas Day lunch and dinner page, including what the menu covers and how to pre-order anything that needs notice.
From Saturday 19 December through to Christmas Day, Elements runs The 7 Days of Christmas, a different family-style feast every day across all five venues. It starts with slow-roasted lamb shoulder on the Saturday and works through standing rib roast, lobster and wagyu surf and turf, 48-hour beef short ribs, Christmas beef wellington and the wagyu tomahawk, finishing with the Christmas seafood platter on the 25th. Each day is booked and pre-paid on its own, so it is worth locking in the date you want before the week fills.
Where to Eat Around the Harbour
Elements Bar & Grill Walsh Bay is on Pier 8/9 at 23 Hickson Road, which puts it on the water for the Sydney to Hobart build up and a short walk from both the Rocks markets and Wharf 1 Theatre.
Elements Bar & Grill Pyrmont at 3 Harris Street is the easier option for a show at the Sydney Lyric, and simpler to reach by car than anywhere closer to Circular Quay.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Carols in the Domain 2026?
Saturday 19 December 2026 at The Domain, with gates from 1pm. Festive Lawn entry is free and reserved seating is ticketed.
What time does the Sydney to Hobart start?
1pm AEDT on Boxing Day, Saturday 26 December 2026, on Sydney Harbour.
What time are the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks?
There are two displays, at 9pm and at midnight on Thursday 31 December.
How many public holidays are there in Sydney in December 2026?
Three: Christmas Day on Friday 25 December, Boxing Day on Saturday 26 December, and an additional public holiday on Monday 28 December.
Is December a good time to visit Sydney?
Yes, if you plan around the crowds. It is summer, the harbour is at its best, and the events calendar is full. The trade off is that accommodation, restaurants and vantage points all book out weeks ahead.
When should I book a Christmas or New Year's Eve table in Sydney?
Late November for Christmas Day, and earlier again for New Year's Eve, where harbour venues often sell set packages rather than standard bookings.
Book a Table
December fills from the outside in, so the table is the part to sort first. Book a table at Elements Bar & Grill at Walsh Bay or Pyrmont, or call 1300 353 636.
