What’s on the Weekend: Christmas in Darling Harbour 2020

Darling Harbour is always an exciting place to be in Sydney with so much going on and with Christmas, there’s that extra sparkle and even more to enjoy.

Christmas in Darling Harbour, giant presents

This season sees old and new decorations that you can interact with, as well as a host of free workshops, theatre, shows and markets, to name just a few that you’ll be wanting to pencil into your diary.

So here’s what’s on:-

Giant Decorations

The giant glittering bauble has returned from Christmases past for you to step inside and get your selfies. Lighting up at night in the forecourt of the International Convention Centre, this 6-metre decoration is kaleidoscopic technicolour.

Blending in at the Harbourside forecourt are the new gigantic Christmas presents, equally gorgeous in shimmering silver and fluorescent colours, whilst a bit further south in Darling Square you’ll find huge Christmas bells with built-in swings. When you swing high to the top, the bells ring and light up.

Christmas bells, Darling Square

Crackin Christmas Markets

In Darling Quarter, nestled between Cockle Bay and Darling Square, you’ll find a Christmas market that encourages you to purchase presents with purpose.

Every stallholder will be certified B, which means they meet the highest standards when it comes to social and environmental performance, as well as public transparency and purpose.

Some of the artisans making the world a better place are Amber Drop with their delicious honey and work in rescuing the local bee population, and Criterrarty with their charming original art and stationery featuring furry critters and little monsters.

You can find the markets on 4pm-8pm, Fri 11th & 18th Dec, as well as 11am-6pm on the weekends of 12th & 19th Dec.

12 Days of Christmas Yoga

12 Days of Christmas Yoga, Darling Harbour

Head to the Tumbalong Park stage and get your flex on for free from 5th-16th Dec with yoga instructor DeeDee Connor running themed classes that lead you through strength, mobility and flexibility.

There are 2 x sessions each day during the week – a 1hr long class at 8am for adults and a 30-minute class at 10am for families and young ones – whilst on weekends there is one session at 10am for adults only.

Each day has a different theme, be it Christmas or summer fun. The fun session names include Christmas Rush Stress Bust, Christmas Warrior Shopping Prep, Festive Energy Flow, Summer Sun Salutation and Beachside Surfing Flow.

There will be $20 on-the-spot prizes in each session with vouchers for Gelatissimo (best-dressed yogi for kids) and Darling Quarter (random giveaway for adults).

Spaces are limited and you will need to book.

Santa’s Show

Santa's Show, Darling Harbour

This free event experience is a series of hilarious and interactive Christmas shows involving dance, performance and a visit from Santa.

Marni the Monkey opens the 45-minute show, claiming he is the real Santa, and during the course of it he gets into all sorts of mischief. The performers encourage children to call out the real Santa through guided dance moves where, if they dance hard enough, Santa appears singing Christmas carols.

Shows take place at 10am and 11.30am on Sat 12th & 19th Dec. Suitable for 3-10yr olds, all attending children will receive a voucher to eat for free at participating retailers in Darling Quarter.

There will be restrictions due to Covid and you will need to register through Eventbrite.

Christmas Workshops

This Christmas you’re spoilt for choice in Darling Quarter and it’s not without a workshop or two. Try many workshops and, best of all, these are all free.

You’ll need more than one visit for these options on various dates:-

Festive Watercolour & Wine – 10th Dec, 6.30pm

Festive Watercolour & Wine Workshop, Darling Harbour

Create a beautiful watercolour Christmas card as you sip on wine in this 2hr class hosted by the team from Work-Shop. It’s great for both beginners and those with a little experience. You’ll learn techniques in watercolour painting and practical skills that you can continue to develop at home.

Whilst the workshop is free, the wine will be available to purchase from a drink cart in the workshop space. It will open 30mins prior to the class start.

Attendees will need to be 18yrs & over (ID will be checked). You can register ahead or on the day.

Christmas Wreath Workshop – 11th & 13th Dec, 6.30pm

Christmas Wreath Workshop, Darling Harbour

If you haven’t made a Christmas wreath before then maybe now it’s time to start a new tradition and the designers from Flowers by Everyone will get you into the festive spirit as they guide you through designing and creating your own unique wreath with all the materials you need.

Whether you display your wreath on your door, wall or as a table centrepiece, you’re sure to have family and friends envious of your newfound floral skills.

Get your free ticket and let your creative juices run wild in this 1hr fun and friendly class.

Boozy Christmas Finger Painting – 12th Dec, 6.30pm

Adults, get your hands dirty this festive season and learn how to paint with nothing but your hands in this 2hr class hosted by artist Stephen Evans from Work-Shop.

With not a brush in sight, this Saturday night will be a colourful and hilarious journey where you learn basic colour theory, painting composition and unique techniques on painting finger-style.

You’ll create two masterpieces (or dare I say two messes if you’re like me) to take home. The class is free, and as per the Festive Watercolour & Wine class, there will be a drink cart from which you can purchase alcohol.

You can register beforehand or on the day.

Bauble Decorating – 12th & 19th Dec, 1-3pm

Bauble Decorating Workshop, Darling Harbour

The little ones (3yrs & up) will have fun decorating their own baubles to hang on their tree at home.

Art supplies are provided. No booking is required but places are limited.

Stocking Decorating – 13th & 20th Dec, 1-3pm

Another one for the littlies, this time decorating their own stockings to take home and fill with presents.

No booking required, but capacity restrictions will apply due to Covid.

Festive Theatre – 14th Dec, 10am, 12pm & 2pm

Monkey Baa are hosting a series of theatre sessions for young performers that will see them building theatre skills through workshops and performances with a Christmas theme.

They’re suitable for children 5yrs & up and you will need to register.

Christmas Cookie Decorating – 15th Dec, 10am, 12pm & 2pm

Christmas Cookie Decorating Workshop, Darling Harbour

This workshop is led by local baker Katherine from Sweets by Sas who will teach children how to pipe decorations. They’ll go home with a box of up to 5 delicious cookies, that’s if they don’t get eaten beforehand.

Recommended for 5yrs & up, however, it is not suitable for those that are intolerant to gluten, eggs and dairy.

Tickets are limited, so get in quick.

Polymer Clay Christmas Decorations – 16th Dec, 10am, 12pm & 2pm

Polymer Clay Christmas Decorations Workshop, Darling Harbour

Craft artists, Made by Me, are behind this interesting workshop involving clay. Children will learn different ways to work with polymer clay, including rolling and cookie cutting. All equipment is provided, just bring a little creativity.

Their decorations will certainly be sturdy and ready to hang on their tree for many years.

Register here for this one.

Brie Christmas Wreath Making – 17th Dec, 6.30pm

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This is one edible wreath that cheese lovers will enjoy this Christmas, thanks to the talent from food grazing business, Onboard with Shilo. Showing you how to construct a wreath made with brie, this 1hr class provides all the materials you’ll need. You just need to choose your flavour combinations.

It’s a great party addition for a Christmas catch-up with friends or family, for any event really.

Click here to partake in this delight.

Christmas Cupcakes – 18th Dec, 10am, 12pm & 2pm

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Bakers, For Heaven’s Cake, are hosting classes for children to up their decorating skills and add a special Christmas touch to the much-loved classic cupcake.

The cupcakes will be pre-made, with up to 3 per child being provided, together with currants and coloured fondant icings.

You can reserve your space here.

Christmas Cake Pop Decorating – 18th & 20th Dec, 6.30pm

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Joy to the world, well Sydney anyway, you can have your cake and eat it too. Cake pops are just the right size bite that doesn’t stack on too many calories (hopefully).

In this 1hr class, you’ll be creating a Christmas cake pop bouquet with the team from Sugar Pop Bakery. They’ll show you the step-by-step process involved in the art of cake pop decorating and putting all your cake pops together as a bouquet.

They provide all the goodies, including edible paint and glitter to razzle-dazzle your kindred sweet-toothers. Gift it to someone or keep it for dessert on Christmas Day as these pops (containing no nuts or eggs) have a shelf life of 4 weeks.

This class is suitable for adults with little to no baking skills. You can book your free ticket here.

Terrarium Bauble Workshop – 19th Dec, 6.30pm

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This 1hr festive class from Little Suckers will have you making a gorgeous terrarium bauble that’s great as a Christmas gift or for that window sill that needs some adornment.

You’ll learn how to design, create and care for your terrarium and for that special touch there’s festive decorations to add to your green creation.

Registration is through Eventbrite.

Woolworths Carols

The annual Woolworths Carols in the Domain Christmas concert has a new home in Darling Harbour this year due to Covid and thousands of people that enjoy this event outdoors will be unable to because of current restrictions on numbers.

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Now inside for 2020 and taking place in the Aware Super Theatre at the International Convention Centre, seats will be strictly limited during filming on the nights of 18th & 19th Dec. There’s no drop-ins. Reserved seat prices start from $79pp with a portion of all ticket sales going to The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal to help those in need.

Beginning at 7pm each night, there will be an all-star line-up of Australia’s best performers that include children’s favourites The Wiggles, Disney superstars Mickey & Minnie, Todd McKenney, Rachael Beck, Hugh Sheridan and Penny McNamee (with more to be announced), and a visit from Santa.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketek. Most though will be resigned to watching the event on television. Channel 7 remains as the official broadcast partner and, should you miss it on Weds 23rd Dec (from 7.30pm), you can see it streaming on 7plus.

I guess we’re lucky events are going ahead in some form or another after this dreadful year and Darling Harbour is a wonderful place to enjoy all of the above and more, from restaurants and bars holding Christmas lunches and parties to taking a ride on the ferris wheel and seeing the dazzling lights from the air.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

article by weekendnotes.com