Welcome, listeners, to Things to Do in Sydney with your globe-trotting sports nut Oly Bennet, coming to you this Friday, 19 December 2025, as Sydney sizzles into peak summer mode. The city’s warm, sunny and a little breezy today – classic harbour sparkle weather – and there’s a mix of festive cheer and quiet reflection in the air after the recent tragedy at Bondi Beach, with crowds returning in solidarity and resilience according to ABC News and the Associated Press.
Let’s kick off with today’s vibe-setters. North Shore Mums reports that Christmas is basically doing a full-court press across the city this weekend, and you can feel it. At Dawes Point, ACO Carols on the Pier is bringing orchestral carols right on the harbour – perfect for families who like their Jingle Bells with concert-hall polish. Over in Chatswood, Believe: A Christmas Musical – The Story of Santa Claus at The Concourse turns Santa’s origin story into a full-blown fantasy adventure, ideal if the kids are bouncing off the walls and you need festive containment with show tunes. In Darling Harbour, Santa’s Christmas Picnic at Tumbalong Park is rolling with live entertainment, kids’ activities, and food trucks – all the ingredients for a high-energy, sugar-powered day out. And if your thing is grazing and browsing, Hay Street Market in Haymarket has gone full festive hub with food, live music, and Christmas-themed experiences.
For music lovers chasing a night out, the City of Sydney’s What’s On guide highlights a run of Christmas gigs, from A Very Jazzy Christmas in Barangaroo to big-band blowouts and late-night shows across the inner city – think brass, baubles, and maybe one too many encores of All I Want for Christmas Is You.
On the news front, Sydney is still processing the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, with memorial gatherings and paddle-outs honouring victims and showing support for the Jewish community, as reported by Reuters and AP. Bondi’s New Year’s Eve festival has been cancelled, according to Secret Sydney, with authorities tightening security and tweaking some major holiday events across the city. That means slightly more police presence and a few program changes, but public transport and the wider festive calendar are still very much in play, so plan ahead and check event details before you roll out.
Now, Oly’s playbook for your perfect Sydney day. Start with an early coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi – get those quads burning on the cliffs, then cool off with a dip at Bronte Pool before the crowds arrive. Swing by Carriageworks Christmas Market if it’s running today for artisanal snacks and last-minute gifts, then cruise into the CBD for a wander through the Queen Victoria Building’s Christmas decorations and possibly a concert under the dome. This evening, aim yourself at Barangaroo or Darling Harbour: sunset drinks, harbour views, then a Christmas concert or a jazz gig to close it out.
Local tip from your roaming sports nut: Sydneysiders treat the Opal card and contactless tap-on like a secret power-up. Tap on and off for trains, buses, light rail, and most ferries, and you’ll hit daily and weekly caps that make all-day exploring surprisingly affordable. Oh, and on the beach: swim between the red-and-yellow flags. The surf here can be sneaky, and no one wins against a rip current.
Before I go, keep an eye on tomorrow: more Christmas markets, family carols, and a ramp-up of weekend events across The Rocks, the CBD, and the North Shore. I’ll be back to scout the quirkiest, most fun things to do so you can hit the ground running.
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