Carols run the show here. Handel's Messiah Sydney fills Sydney Town Hall with a choir of more than 400 voices, and Lessons & Carols mixes readings with audience singalongs. A couple of Nutcrackers join in.
The Salvation Army's Carols in the Domain
The Salvation Army's Carols in the Domain starts with a day of family entertainment and the Festival of Food, a farmers' market-style food village. As night falls, stars of song, stage, and screen lead the carols, with fireworks and a few surprises. Bring a picnic rug, a hat, sunscreen, and something warm for after sunset.
Handel's Messiah Sydney
Sydney Town Hall hosts the 85th annual Handel's Messiah, with a choir of more than 400 voices, an orchestra, soloists, and Mark Quarmby on the Town Hall organ. It runs about two and a half hours with an interval, and yes, the Hallelujah Chorus is in there. Tickets are sold online or at the door.
BIG Live's The Nutcracker
BIG Live's The Nutcracker is the full-length traditional ballet, on stage at the State Theatre. Tchaikovsky's music carries Clara's Christmas Eve dream through the dancing snowflakes, the battle with the Rat King, and the Land of Sweets. Watch for the parlour scene, where the Christmas tree grows before your eyes.
Storytime Ballet: The Nutcracker
The Australian Ballet's Storytime Ballet: The Nutcracker is made for young audiences, with live ballet and playful narration in the Drama Theatre at the Sydney Opera House. Kids are invited to dress up, dance along, and follow Clara to the Land of Sweets. The show runs 50 minutes, a good fit for little ones.
Lessons & Carols
Lessons & Carols from Sydney Philharmonia Choirs pairs traditional carols such as In the Bleak Midwinter and A Spotless Rose with readings on harmony and collaboration. Brett Weymark conducts the Chamber Singers, David Drury plays the organ, and you get to sing along to O Come, All Ye Faithful. Tickets run $30 to $44, for ages 8 and up.
Bach's Christmas Oratorio
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs presents Bach's Christmas Oratorio in its entirety at the Sydney Opera House, all six cantatas, telling the story of the Magi and the Christ child. The Chamber Singers and the youth ensemble VOX sing with the Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra. It's a treat for classical music lovers.
The Christmas Spectacular
The Christmas Spectacular at the State Theatre is a variety show of dance, music, circus acts, and magic. Routines nod to The Nutcracker and the Radio City Rockettes, there are Christmas songs to sing along to, and Santa and other festive characters turn up during the show.
A Celtic Christmas
A Celtic Christmas brings Irish dancers and musicians to the State Theatre for an evening of jigs, traditional melodies, and storytelling, presented by A Taste of Ireland. Look for a cappella tap battles, former world champions on stage, and sing-alongs of classic Christmas carols.
Pyrmont Christmas Concert (Pyrmont)
On the waterfront at Pirrama Park, the Pyrmont Christmas Concert brings local bands and choirs together for an evening of carols. Between songs, try the free craft workshops, giant Jenga, or table tennis, and say hello to Santa. Food trucks and a community barbecue fundraiser take care of dinner. It's free.