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.
St Gabriel’s School Christmas Family Fun Night and Twilight Markets. Thursday 27 November. 5pm to 8pm.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Markets at Parramatta. Thursday 27 November. 3pm to 9pm. Christmas Markets – Explore a vibrant selection of handcrafted gifts, local art, gourmet food and live music at the Parramatta Christmas Markets – perfect for finding unique presents and enjoying the holiday atmosphere. Christmas Carollers & Stilt Walkers from 5pm – Be enchanted by roaming Christmas carollers filling the air with joyful tunes, and marvel at the whimsical stilt walkers bringing festive magic to life throughout the evening. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7:30pm – Join Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter for the official lighting of Parramatta’s iconic 16-metre Christmas Tree. This dazzling moment marks the beginning of the City’s holiday celebrations.
Blacktown Christmas Light Up Concert. Saturday 29 November. 5pm to 9pm. Includes christmas carols, live entertainment, food and market stalls, free kids craft and face painting, a visit from Santa Claus and fireworks. Blacktown Showground.
Illuminate The Hills. Sunday 30 November to Thursday 1 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. To open Illuminate the Hills in 2025, there will be Christmas Markets on Sunday 30 November from 5pm to 9pm including food trucks and roving entertainment.
Launch of Christmas at Hillsong. Sunday 30 November 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 30 November. 5pm-8pm.
Ice skate, Play and Sleigh at Rouse Hill Town Centre. More info to come.
Twilight Christmas Markets at the Australiana Pioneer Village. Friday 5 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.
2025 Mayor’s Children’s Christmas Party. Sunday 7 December. 10am to 2pm. Bella Vista Farm.
PHIVE Presents: Christmas Magic at PHIVE. Saturday 13 December. 10am to 1pm. Meet and share your Christmas wishes with Santa and get creative with Christmas themed crafts.
Gingerbread House Decorating at Bella Vista Hotel. Saturday 13 December at 11am and 1pm.
Bella’s Annual Christmas Markets at Bella Vista Hotel. Sunday 14 December. Tickets are free but you need to RSVP. 10am to 3pm.
Kids Christmas Disco at Hudson Hotel. Monday 22 December. From 5pm. Free entry.
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. Book here.
- Winston Hills Mall – Santa has arrived and will be at Winston Hills Mall until 24 Dec and includes pet photos. Find out more here.
Christmas at the libraries
In the week of 8 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
Parish of Baulkham Hills Christmas Carols. Saturday 6 December. 7pm to 9pm. St Michael’s Primary School Hall, Baulkham Hills.
Carols at The Ponds School. Saturday 6 December. From 4pm to 9.30pm.
Carols at Parramatta Christian Church. Saturday 6 December from 5.30pm to 9pm. Barney Street, North Parramatta.
Sydney Adventist Hospital Carols. Sunday 7 December. From 5pm: Family activities, food stalls, Santa photos, Kids concert featuring the Smurfs. 7.00pm: Main carols program including Chris Sebastian.
The Vineyard Christmas Carols. Thursday 11 December. 4pm to 8pm. 725 Windsor Road, Vineyard.
Christmas Carols at North Epping. Friday 12 December. Epping Oval. From 6.30pm.
Carols at Hillsong. Saturday 13 December and Sunday 14 December. Shows at 4pm and 7pm (plus additional show at 1pm on Sunday). Tickets are only $10 for adults and $6 for children. Buy your tickets here.
Christmas Carols in Parramatta Park. Saturday 13 December from 3pm to 10pm. Family activities kick off from 3pm. Carols start from 5pm.
Carols by Candlelight at Fagan Park Galston. Saturday 13 December. From 5pm.
Baulkham Hills North Carols by Candlelight. Saturday 13 December. 6pm to 8.30pm.
Glenhaven Carols by Candlelight. Sunday 14 December from 4pm to 9pm. Glenhaven Oval.
Carols by Twilight by Rotary Club of Carlingford. Sunday 14 December. John Wearne Reserve, Carlingford. 5.30pm to 8.30pm.
Thornleigh Community Christmas Carols. Sunday 14 December at Headon Park from 5pm to 9pm.
Carols on the Lawn. Kellyville Anglican Church. Sunday 14 December. From 5.30pm.
Carols in the Park at Kenthurst. Usually mid December from 3pm to 9pm at John Benyon Rotary Park Kenthurst.
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 30 November 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 2026.
Santa runs
The full details on the Santa Runs listed below see here.
Rouse Hill Santa 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.