What’s not to love about Christmas? Santa, carols, lights and joy! Questions such as “Where can my family go for great carols?, “Where are the best Christmas lights in the Hills?” are always asked at this time of year, so we’ve pulled together the HDM Ultimate Guide to Christmas in the Hills!
We’ve done our best to capture everything and make sure it’s correct, but if you’d like to add to it or you think it needs editing, let us know. We’ll be rolling this baby out for the whole of the Christmas period!
The Vineyard Christmas Village. From 1 November.
Meet Santa’s Real-life Reindeer at Seven Hills Plaza. From Monday 25 November to Wednesday 27 November come to the Seven Hills Plaza Centre court and meet Rudolph, Santa’s very own reindeer! Snap a photo with the most famous reindeer of all and make some unforgettable holiday memories in two sessions daily, 10am – 11:30am and 3:30pm and 5pm.
Illuminate The Hills. Thurs 28 November to Thursday 2 January, From 7pm each night. Roxborough Park Rose Garden will be lit up with thousands of fairy lights. Wander through rose-lined pathways and twinkling fairy lights, magnificent Christmas installations and a nativity scene that’s sure to get you and your family in the festive spirit.
Celebrate Christmas at Parramatta. Thursday 28 November. 3pm to 8.30pm. 50 eclectic market stalls offering the perfect stocking filler or even a treat for yourself. Bring the family and watch the magical moment the majestic Christmas Tree lights up! Grab a snap with the roaming Christmas characters, from human candy canes to mischievous elves!
Blacktown Christmas Light Up Concert. Friday 29 November. 5pm to 9pm. Includes christmas carols, live stage performances by community groups, food and market stalls, free kids craft and free face painting and a visit from Santa Claus. At 8.30 pm the Christmas tree will be lit up, showcasing its fairy lights and vibrant decorations. Muru Way, Warwick Lane, Blacktown.
Light Up Windsor Street Fair. POSTPONED ON SATURDAY 30 NOV DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST – see below as the event has been split in two. Sunday 1 December 2024 from 5pm to 9pm for the Light Up Windsor Christmas Trail and Thursday 19 December 2024 from 5pm to 9pm for the Light Up Windsor Street Fair.
Riverstone Christmas Concert. Saturday 30 November. 5pm to 9pm. Local residents can enjoy live performances by local community groups, Christmas carols, a visit from Santa, food and market stalls, free jumping castle, free kids craft and free face painting. At 8.30 pm the Christmas tree will be lit up, showcasing it’s fairy lights and vibrant decorations. Sam Lane Complex, Park Street, Riverstone.
Gingerbread Cookie Kids Workshops at HomeCo Castle Hill. Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December. 4 x 30min Sessions (10am, 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm).
Light up Windsor Christmas Trail. Sunday 1 December 2024 5pm to 9pm.
Launch of Christmas at Hillsong. Sunday 1 December from 6pm. Every night after dark in December, see the Hillsong Hills property light up. Hillsong Sydney Hills Campus, 1-5 Solent Circuit Baulkham Hills.
Hills Christmas Fair. Hills Adventist College, Kellyville Campus. Sunday 1 December. 5pm-8pm.
Bella’s Annual Christmas Markets at Bella Vista Hotel. Sunday 1 December. Tickets are free but you need to book. 10am to 3pm.
Christmas Disco Bingo at Castle Hill RSL. Thursday 5 December. From 7pm.
Twilight Christmas Markets at the Australiana Pioneer Village. Friday 6 December. Get a photo with Santa and Mrs Claus, shop at the stalls, indulge in yummy eats, take a twilight train ride or a hay ride around the lagoon. 5pm to 9pm. $3 entry per person.
Castle Hill NightMarkets. Saturday 7 December. 5pm to 10pm.
Festive Fun at HomeCo Kellyville Grove. Saturday 7 December. 10am to 1pm.
Festive Family Fun Day at Seven Hills Hotel. Sunday 8 December. 12pm to 3pm. Kids will love meeting Santa, who’s making a special appearance to hand out free gifts to every child. Let their imaginations run wild with free face painting and a jumping castle, while the little chefs can join the fun of gingerbread cookie decorating for just $5 per person – no bookings required!
Gingerbread House Decorating at Bella Vista Hotel. Sunday 15 December at 11am and 1pm.
Parklea Christmas Markets. Sunday 15 December. 9am – 4pm.
Light Up Windsor Street Fair.Thursday 19 December. 5pm to 9pm.
Christmas Craft Fun at Seven Hills Plaza. From 21 – 26 December (closed 25th) between 10am and 2pm daily, customise your very own Ornament for the Christmas Tree.
Christmas Day Lunch and Dinner at Castle Hill RSL. Wednesday 25 December.
Shopping centres – Santa arrival dates and photos
- Castle Towers – Santa has already arrived at his enchanted forest set. Bookings can be made here.
- Rouse Hill Town Centre – Santa is once again doing photos in his gorgeous house. There are also pet Santa sessions too.
- Winston Hills Mall – Santa has arrived and will be at Winston Hills Mall until 24 Dec and includes pet photos. Find out more here.
- Seven Hills Plaza – Santa arrives on 7 December. Find out more here.
Christmas at the libraries
In the week of 9 December, the Hills Shire libraries (Vinegar Hill Memorial, Castle Hill Library, Dural and Baulkham Hills) will be holding special Christmas Storytime sessions suitable for ages 2-5 years.
Christmas carols
Carols at The Ponds School. Saturday 7 December. From 6pm to 9pm.
Carols on the Lawn at Parramatta Christian Church. Saturday 7 December from 5.30pm to 9pm. Barney Street, North Parramatta.
Glenorie Community Carols. Saturday 7 December. Les Shore Reserve, Glenorie. From 6.30pm.
Sydney Adventist Hospital Carols. Sunday 8 December. From 5pm: Family activities, food stalls, Santa photos and meet and greet with Kevin & Stuart from the Minions. 6.30pm: Kids concert featuring the Minions. 7.00pm: Main carols program. Concludes with fireworks
Glenhaven Carols by Candlelight. Sunday 8 December from 4pm to 9pm. Glenhaven Oval.
Carols by Twilight by Rotary Club of Carlingford. Sunday 8 December. John Wearne Reserve, Carlingford. 5.30pm to 8.30pm.
Christmas Carols at North Epping. Friday 13 December. Epping Oval. From 6.30pm. Fireworks at 9pm.
Carols in the Park at Kenthurst. Friday 13 December from 3pm to 9pm at John Benyon Rotary Park Kenthurst.
Carols by Candlelight at Fagan Park Galston. Saturday 14 December. From 5pm.
Baulkham Hills North Carols by Candlelight. Saturday 14 December. 5pm to 8.30pm.
Carols at Hillsong. Saturday 14 December and Sunday 15 December. Shows at 4pm and 7pm (plus additional show at 1pm on Sunday). Tickets are only $10 for adults and $5 for children. Buy your tickets here.
The Vineyard Christmas Carols. Sunday 15 December and Thursday 19 December. 6pm to 9pm. 725 Windsor Road, Vineyard.
Thornleigh Community Christmas Carols. Sunday 15 December at Headon Park from 5pm to 9pm.
Carols on the Lawn. Kellyville Anglican Church. Sunday 15 December. From 5.30pm.
Wesley Castle Hill Uniting Church Carols. Sunday 22 December. From 9.30am.
Christmas lights
We produce a list of lights in the Hills each year. Click here to view. If we’re missing any great lights or you can provide an exact address, please email us. If any listed are not going ahead, please let us know. Also, if you have a photo of any we’d love to see it. You can email us at [email protected]
Launch of Christmas at Hillsong. Sunday 1 December from 6pm. Every night after dark in December, see the Hillsong Hills property light up. Hillsong Sydney Hills Campus, 1-5 Solent Circuit Baulkham Hills.
Hunter Valley Christmas Lights Spectacular. A bit further afield but runs from now to 26 January 2025.
Santa runs
The full details on the Santa Runs listed below see here.
Rouse Hill Santa Lolly Run. Run by Rouse Hill Rural Fire Brigade.
Box Hill Nelson Fire Brigade.
Westleigh Rural Fire Brigade Santa Run.
Dural Rural Fire Brigade Santa Run.
Galston Village Santa Run.
The Hills SES Santa Run, suburbs include Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Kellyville and Bella Vista. Held Christmas Eve.
Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade Santa Run. Held Christmas Eve.
Glenorie RFS Santa Run. Held Christmas Eve.
Santa’s Sleigh Run in North Rocks and Carlingford is brought to us by the Carlingford Rotary Club. Usually kick off the run at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve.
