Christmas in Sydney with all the trimmings

A street party in the heart of the city, Christmas markets, the state's tallest Christmas tree and five concerts are just some of the festivities in store to celebrate Christmas in Sydney.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore today launched the 2019 Sydney Christmas program which runs from 23 November and features decorations, events and activities across Sydney CBD and the city's villages.

"Our Christmas celebrations continue to grow each year, with last year's inaugural Christmas in the City event alone attracting 22,000 people! In line with this wonderful demand, we have expanded our program so more people can join in the fun," the Lord Mayor said.

"We're spending around $3 million on more than 30 days of festivities right across the city centre and our local communities, including a Village Christmas Concert in Pyrmont and the inaugural Green Square Christmas Fair.

"Christmas is for everyone, so we've created a program that is accessible, inclusive and caters for all ages.

"I hope you will all join me in welcoming everyone to our city and bringing our diverse community together this Christmas, while enjoying our long summer evenings in our beautiful parks and public spaces."

Sydney Christmas 2019 highlights:

Sydney's 2019 Christmas program gets underway with the CBD transformed into a festive playground for Christmas in the City.

From 6.30pm to 9.30pm, a street party in and around Martin Place, Pitt Street and King Street will feature live entertainment, choirs, roving entertainers, decorations and lights.

There will be stages at Pitt Street Mall, King Street and Martin Place featuring family favourites including Jimmy Giggle, Justine Clarke and SplashDance. The cast from The School of Rock musical will stop by for a special performance.

Roving magicians, elves on reindeers and candy-cane stilt walkers will add to the festivities, while DJ Peter Baecker from Vienna is sure to get crowds dancing to his renowned mix of 80s floor-fillers.

Art and craft activities will keep little ones busy and you can help the City's Christmas charity partner, Surf Life Saving NSW, by purchasing a $5 fundraising showbag packed with goodies.

The Lord Mayor will join Santa in his reindeer tricycle sleigh led by a marching band through the city from Circular Quay, along Pitt Street to Town Hall.

Pitt Street Mall will be a festive wonderland with performers, roving entertainers, choirs and shopping offers at pop-up outlets including Jurlique, Microsoft, Superdry and Dr Seuss. Nearby at Lees Court, KIIS 1065's 'KIIS Beach' will have live sand sculpting, gelato and super-sized deck chairs.

From 7.30pm, the Martin Place Christmas Tree will illuminate every 15 minutes with a specially created sound and light show.

The state's tallest Christmas tree has been the centre of Sydney's Christmas celebrations for 48 years.

Standing 25-metres tall, it is dressed with 110,000 LED lights, 15,000 native flower decorations, 330 glossy beach ball baubles and a 3.4 metre star.

The Martin Place Christmas Tree will be lit until 1am every night from 23 November to 1 January, with a spectacular sound and light show running every 30 minutes from 7.30pm to 10pm.

The City's free, family-friendly concerts are always a big hit with the kids, packed with children's entertainment, live music and a visit from Santa.

The concerts get underway with the Sydney Children's Christmas Concert at Prince Alfred Park on 30 November. Other concerts include Rosebery (1 December), Rushcutters Bay (6 December), Pyrmont (7 December) and Alexandria (13 December).

All concerts run from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. There will be performances from a variety of children's favourites including Jimmy Giggle, Justine Clarke, BennyTime, The Nannas & The Poppas, as well as live music performances for grown-ups.

The City will host its first Christmas fair at Green Square plaza on Saturday 14 December from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

More than 30 stalls will offer everything from locally crafted Christmas treats and homemade relishes to framed prints and handmade candles.

Visitors can enjoy a meal from one of the many food trucks and share a drink at the licensed bar with family and friends.

DJs will entertain the crowds and Santa will stop by for a visit.

From 23 November to 1 January, shoppers in Pitt Street Mall can stroll beneath a stunning canopy of 85,000 LED lights with 10 two-metre perspex stars.

Martin Place will feature stunning new lighting - fourteen 2.7 metre decorations will hang from light poles and six 1.5 metre stars will be suspended from garlands of fairy lights draped across the plaza. Also in Martin Place, the lobby of the new Fullerton Hotel will light up in festive colours every night during the festive period from 6pm on 28 November.

The annual Lights of Christmas will adorn St Mary's Cathedral from 5 to 25 December, with a free nightly light and sound show that includes choir performances and projections.

Choirs will entertain shoppers with festive favourites while they do their Christmas shopping in the city. Choristers and groups will perform beside the Martin Place Christmas Tree every Thursday to Sunday from 28 November as well as 23 and 24 December.

Retailers in the city will have a variety of Christmas offerings to get shoppers in the festive spirit, from window displays, in-store decorations and gift wrapping to store offers, photos with Santa and personalised gifts.

Shoppers can also stop by the GPO Dessert Bar beside the Martin Place Christmas tree and indulge in festive themed sweets, cakes and gelato, coffee and beverages from 23 November to 27 December.

For full details and dates and timings for the Sydney Christmas program visit sydneychristmas.com.au

For media inquiries or images, contact Elaine Kelly. Phone 0477 362 550 or email [email protected].

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Julia Lenton. Phone 0410 748 039 or email [email protected]