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That song, ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’ is literally a fantasy here in Australia, not unless a weird weather pattern strikes, a recent weather front brought plunging temperatures with snow and hail across parts of this amazing continent, when barbies should have been firing the shrimps. It’s a rare occurrence but it does happen. December through to February are the summer months here, it’s also the season of bushfires, heatwaves and tropical storms. Last week alone, the western part of Sydney suffered under blazing 40 degrees Celsius + and the CBD and City suburbs were in the high thirties, now that was hot, cool Southerly winds, where for art though?

Christmas is a big celebration and we celebrate it in quite a different way from our Northern Spherical neighbours. Traditional Christmas fare, still widely enjoyed, though pork has become very popular instead of the bird, has had to share its place with food and styles that match the season, with seafood being the big centre spread, especially prawns, cool salads and fresh fruits, oh, and don’t forget the pavlova. The dining room has been exchanged for the outdoors and if you are near to the water, aqua activities to cool you down, a Christmas surf and barbecue is so Aussie.

So if you are planning to visit Australia, particularly Sydney in December, here are few things you can expect during the festive season.

Carols in the Domain – the largest outdoor Christmas concert held in the Domain adjacent to the Botanical Gardens in Sydney. This concert features national and international performers and special guest appearances including Santa. This is a free event and is broadcast live around Australia.

Christmas Trees and Light Displays – it is now becoming a popular attraction in some of the streets in the suburban Sydney, with houses decked with thousands of twinkling, flashing displays of lights including the traditional nativity scene, the time and effort that goes into the decorations is amazing.

The QVB (Queen Victoria Building) Swarovski huge indoor Christmas tree dominates the central entrance from floor to ceiling, believe me, that is some height, attracting even more tourists to this wonderful building for a photo opportunity that can only be found during this time of year.

Life’s a Beach – aside from the indoor and outdoor activities, a lot of people flock the beach to cool down, especially during a heatwave on Christmas Day. On this side Sydney, the ever popular Bondi Beach, Coogee and Maroubra. Manly and the Northern beaches can be found across the Harbour Bridge, they are some of the top beach destinations and can be reached by car if you want to drive, or take the Manly Ferry or bus, which will take you all the way to Palm Beach, where you may find a Flamin’ Galah! Courtesy of “Alf”.

Boxing Day – is a public holiday, an extension and excuse of the festivities. Popular activities during this day are the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, the Cricket test of course and department store sales, our own Black Friday in some ways, that are well worth waiting for, you will often find people encamped outside to grab those bargains that only this once a year special sale brings.

So there you go, some of the top things to do in Sydney during the festive season. After the Christmas celebration, everyone gears up for New Years Eve and its parties, if you are fortunate, you may have a balcony view, a boat anchored, or secured your spot some many days before in one the dedicated viewing parks that are set up for the occasion, if not, a glass of bubbly in front of the TV will do. The world famous Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks is spectacular, its a free show though there are pre-paid areas for premier viewing, some include food and drinks, toilets and other amenities. The display can be seen and heard from many Kilometres around and leaves the hairs on your arms standing as the bridge bursts into colour with enormous energy, ceremony, power and majesty, as only the Coat Hanger can do.

For now thank you for all your support and we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2018 xox