What’s not to love about Christmas? Santa, carols, lights and joy! The lead up to Christmas in 2020 will be a little different due to COVID but there’s still plenty on. Most events book out early so you will want to be on to it!
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!
Blacktown Christmas Light it Up Concert, Thursday 26 November 6pm-9pm. Includes christmas carols, live stage performances and a visit from Santa Claus.
From 6 December, Bella Garden at the Bella Vista Hotel will be transforming into a Christmas wonderland. Offering festive cocktails, twilight markets, wreath making workshops, gingerbread decorating, high cheese, a Christmas inspired bottomless brunch, there are so many ways you can get into the festive spirit! It’s time to gather your loved ones and plan your Christmas catch ups before time runs out. Full details here.
Shopping centres – Santa arrival dates:
- Castle Towers, Rouse Hill Town Centre and Winston Hills Mall – Santa has already arrived and bookings can be made. See centre websites for details.
- Seven Hills Plaza – arrives Saturday 28 November. 10am to 11am. Join Santa, Mrs Claus and their friends as they welcome Santa to Centre Court.
- North Rocks Shopping Centre – arrives Saturday 28 November. Santa has changed locations this year and will be located outside TK Maxx.
Christmas at The Hills Shire libraries. From 30 November for one week the libraries at Baulkham Hills, Dural, Rouse Hill (Vinegar Hill), and Castle Hill will be holding special Christmas Storytime sessions for kids aged 3-5 years. You will need to book. Find out more here.
Pinot and Picasso | Christmas under the Stars at Bella Vista Hotel. Wednesday 2 December from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Tickets can be purchased here.
Christmas Twilight Markets at Bella Vista Hotel. Thursday 3 December. Tickets must be purchased and there are 3 sessions you can attend starting from 5pm.
Christmas Cocktail Masterclass at Bella Vista Hotel. Saturday 5 December. From 1pm. Tickets can be purchased here.
Christmas Drag Bingo hosted by Annie Mation. Bella Vista Hotel. Wednesday 9 December. 7pm
Christmas Artisan Markets at Eden Gardens. Sunday 13 December. 9.30am to 3.30pm. Register here.
Sydney Hotshots Christmas Show. Thursday 17 December. Bella Vista Hotel. From 8pm. FREE entry but bookings required.
Christmas High Cheese at Bella Vista Hotel. Saturday 19 December and Sunday 20 December. More details here.
Christmas carols
Sadly it looks like the majority of Christmas carols are cancelled in 2020 due to COVID. However, there are a handful of options:
We are aware of the following online events:
- Christmas in the Hills – Wednesday 16 December – 6.30pm to 9pm. More Information here.
- The Sebastian Foundation’s Carols from Parramatta – Thursday 17 December. From 7pm. More information here.
- The Hillsong Christmas Spectacular – Friday 18 December to Sunday 20 December.
Christmas lights
We produce a list of lights in the Hills each year. Click here to view. Due to Covid, several of the large displays aren’t going ahead this year. It’s been harder to know which houses will be decorating – some may choose to have a break, others may decide this is the year to go all out! If we’re missing any great lights or you can provide an exact address, please email us at [email protected]. If any of the below are not going ahead, please let us know. Also, if you have a photo of any we’d love to see it – send it to us at [email protected]
Hunter Valley Christmas Lights Spectacular. A bit further afield but runs from 5 November 2020 to 25 January 2021.
Santa runs
The word on the street is that these will be going ahead, some with alterations to ensure social distancing and good hygiene measure. We will publish all maps and timetables as they become available. The following Santa Runs usually run annually:
Glenhaven Santa Run. Sunday 13 December. Details on the route are here.
Rouse Hill Santa Lolly Run. Run by Rouse Hill Rural Fire Brigade. Saturday 19 December. Details here.
Westleigh Rural Fire Brigade Santa Run. Sunday 20 December. Commencing from Warrigal Drive, Westleigh at 8.30am. Details here.
Dural Rural Fire Brigade Santa Run. Sunday 20 December.
Galston Village Santa Run. Sunday 20 December. 4pm to 7pm. Details on the route are here.
The Hills SES Santa Run, suburbs include Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Kellyville and Bella Vista – usually held Christmas Eve but CANCELLED in 2020.
Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade Santa Run. Christmas Eve, Thurs 24 Dec, from 6pm. This year, the truck won’t be stopping and won’t be handing out lollies. More info here.
Glenorie RFS Santa Run. Usually held Christmas Eve.
Santa’s Sleigh Run in North Rocks is brought to us by the Rotary Club of North Rocks. They split the suburb into East and West and usually kick off the run at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve.
