Sydney events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Bondi Beach and Bondi to Coogee Walk, Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, plus Manly Beach. December in Sydney averages 26°C / 80°F highs, 18°C / 65°F nights, and about 8 rainy days.
Expect 26°C/80°F days and about 8 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Bondi Beach and Bondi to Coogee Walk★ 4.8 · 3.4k reviewsBondi is the famous surf beach in the Eastern Suburbs, with Bondi Icebergs at the south end and a clifftop path linking Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly…
- Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie's Chair★ 4.7 · 25.2k reviewsThe garden wraps Farm Cove beside the Opera House and leads to the sandstone bench known as Mrs Macquarie's Chair.
- Rise AgainstDec 1Sydney Opera House - Forecourt · Source: Ticketmaster
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Sydney in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
80°F / 65°F
26.4°C / 18.4°C
RainPrecipitation
8d
2.6in · 65mm
LightDaylight
14.2h
Sea
71.4°F
21.9°C
December is holiday season, with Christmas crowds and New Year's Eve harbour viewpoints needing early arrival.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 1 – Jan 1
Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical - Night With The Artists
Arts & Theatre · Theatre.
Source: Ticketmaster
- Dec 2 – Jan 1
- Dec 2
Show all 28 events for December
- Dec 3
- Dec 3
- Dec 4
- Dec 4
- Dec 4
- Dec 4
- Dec 5
- Dec 5
- Dec 5
- Dec 5 – Dec 6
- Dec 5
- Dec 6
- Dec 6
- Dec 9
- Dec 10 – Dec 11
- Dec 10
- Dec 10
- Dec 12 – Dec 17
- Dec 12 – Dec 13
- Dec 12
- Dec 13
- Dec 14
- Dec 19
Carols in the Domain 2026
Annual Christmas carol event held in the Domain, Sydney city centre.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 31
Sydney New Year's Eve Fireworks 2026
Massive pyrotechnic displays around Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge, including a family fireworks show at 9 PM and the main midnight fireworks.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 31 – Jan 1
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 26Boxing DayPublic holiday
- Dec 28Boxing Day (substitute day)Public holiday
- Dec 25-Dec 28Long weekend
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
- Dec 26-Dec 28Long weekend
About Sydney
City overview
Sydney is a harbour city where Circular Quay, the Opera House, sandstone headlands, Pacific beaches, and ferry routes define the visitor map more than a street grid. The CBD and The Rocks hold the colonial core, Darling Harbour and Pyrmont add entertainment, Surry Hills and Newtown carry food and music, and Bondi or Manly give the beach layer.
Food & drink
Sydney food is harbor-seafood plus suburban immigrant routes: Sydney rock oysters are served raw with lemon, barramundi and fish and chips cover beach meals, meat pies stay common at bakeries and matches, and lamingtons sponge cake with chocolate and coconut. Sydney Fish Market, Chinatown and Haymarket, Spice Alley, Newtown's King Street, Cabramatta, and Bondi cafes add smashed avocado, yum cha, Thai noodles, Lebanese charcoal chicken, Vietnamese pho, and gelato.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Manly Beach
- 2Taronga Zoo
- 3Darling Harbour and Barangaroo
- 4Circular Quay Ferries
- 5Sydney Opera House
- 6Art Gallery of New South Wales
- 7Sydney Harbour Bridge
- 8The Rocks
1Manly Beach
4.7★ · 3,606outdoorManly combines the ferry ride, Corso pedestrian strip, ocean beach, Shelly Beach, and coastal walks around North Head. It is the easiest full beach day that starts from Circular Quay.
Wikipedia
2Taronga Zoo
4.5★ · 35,507outdoorOpen dailyThe zoo sits on the Lower North Shore above the harbour and is reached by ferry from Circular Quay. The giraffe and elephant viewpoints look back to the skyline, bridge, and Opera House.
Wikipedia
3Darling Harbour and Barangaroo
4.7★ · 178outdoorThe western edge of the CBD links SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, the Australian National Maritime Museum, ICC Sydney, restaurants, and Barangaroo Reserve. It is busiest at night and during festivals.
Show 3 more sights
- 4Circular Quay Ferries
- 5Sydney Opera House
- 6Art Gallery of New South Wales
Neighborhoods
1CBD and Circular Quay
The CBD and quay are transport Sydney, with ferries, trains, office towers, Martin Place, Pitt Street Mall, the Opera House, and Botanic Garden close together.
2The Rocks and Millers Point
The Rocks feels sandstone and pub-heavy, with harbour warehouses, markets, bridge stairs, old lanes, and cruise-terminal crowds.
3Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, and Pyrmont
Darling Harbour and Pyrmont are entertainment-focused, with aquariums, theatres, casinos, conference halls, waterfront dining, and Barangaroo parkland.
Day trips
110km / about 2h by train from Central to Katoomba
Blue Mountains and Katoomba
The Three Sisters, Jamison Valley lookouts, bushwalks, and Scenic World make the Blue Mountains Sydney's classic inland day trip. Pack a layer because the plateau is cooler than the coast.
45km / about 1.5-2h by bus and ferry or car from the CBD
Palm Beach
The northern beaches headland has surf, Pittwater views, Barrenjoey Lighthouse, and calmer bay water. Go early on summer weekends because parking and buses fill.
35km / about 1h by train to Cronulla plus ferry to Bundeena, or by car
Royal National Park
Coastal cliffs, eucalyptus bush, beaches, and the Coast Track sit south of the city. Check fire danger, track closures, and ferry times before leaving.
Getting around
Opal or contactless payment works across Sydney Trains, Metro, light rail, buses, and ferries. Trains and metro are fastest inland, light rail handles Central-CBD-Darling Harbour corridors, and ferries from Circular Quay are the best way to Manly, Taronga Zoo, and harbour suburbs.
Planning a Sydney trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Sydney in December
- What to pack for Sydney in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Sydney checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 26°C / 80°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 18°C / 65°F.
- A small umbrella or packable shell for scattered rain across about 8 days.
- How many days do you need in Sydney
- 4 days covers the main Sydney highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Sydney worth visiting in December
- Yes. December in Sydney averages 26°C / 80°F highs, 18°C / 65°F nights, and about 8 rainy days.
Ready to plan Sydney?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Sydney plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.