Boxing Day in Sydney

You’ve cleaned up the Christmas Day mess and now it’s time to decide how to spend another glorious day off. From settling in for a leisurely long lunch to braving the post-Christmas sales, here’s how to spend Boxing Day in Sydney.

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Shopping & cinemas

As the first official day of the post-Christmas sales, Boxing Day is a great time to bag a bargain. Major shopping centres around the city, like Pitt Street MallWestfield SydneyWestfield Bondi Junction and the QVB, will be open all day. For even more savings, try outlet shopping at Birkenhead Point or DFO Homebush.

Break up the shopping spree with a movie screening. You’d be hard-pressed to find a cinema not open on Boxing Day – including venues by Hoyts, Event and Palace Cinemas, as well as Skyline Drive In Blacktown – with some of the biggest blockbusters of the year debuting on 26 December. Check out more of Sydney's outdoor cinemas here.

Beaches & outdoors

If crowded malls aren’t your idea of a good time, Boxing Day is the perfect time to head for the beach. Cool off with a dip in the surf at Bondi, catch the ferry to Manly, swim some laps in an ocean pool or take a road trip to the city’s north for a lazy day on Palm Beach. Another great option is packing up a picnic of leftovers from Christmas lunch and heading to a pretty patch of grass.

Work off some of those Christmas calories on one of Sydney’s gorgeous coastal walks or test out the new bikes on cycling trails around the harbour and through national parks. If you want to stay by the water, there are plenty of things to do, including kayakingstand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling and fishing.

Couple enjoying a sunrise kayaking experience in Pittwater with Pittwater Kayak Tours, Palm Beach.

Pittwater Kayak Tours, Palm Beach

Need some extra help keeping the kids entertained? A number of wildlife attractions remain open on Boxing Day in Sydney. Get up close to lions, tigers, bears and sharks at Taronga ZooSEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium or WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.

Family enjoying an encounter with a giraffe during the giraffe keeper talk at Taronga Zoo, Sydney North

Taronga Zoo, Mosman

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race – one of the world's greatest ocean races and an Aussie institution takes place on Boxing Day. Watch the start of the race from one of the harbour's vantage points, such as The Heads, Nielsen Park, Mosman and Middle Head, or take it all in from the water with Captain Cook Cruises.

Aerial overlooking  2018 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Sydney Harbour

Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Sydney Harbour

Eat & drink

While you may need to call ahead to make sure there is room, a number of restaurants, bars and pubs around Sydney are open on Boxing Day. If you are interested in good coffee and a light brunch, Cafe Oratnek in Redfern are welcoming visitors. For a heartier feed, head to Henrietta in Surry Hills for charcoal chicken, Continental Deli Bar and Bistro in Newtown for wine and cheese and Restaurant Hubert in the CBD for fine dining and live jazz.

 

Public holiday dates 2024-2025

Holiday20242025
New Year's Day1 January1 January
Australia Day26 January26 January
Good Friday29 March18 April
Easter Saturday30 March19 April
Easter Sunday31 March20 April
Easter Monday 1 April21 April 
Anzac Day 25 April 25 April 
King's Birthday/June Long Weekend10 June9 June
October Long Weekend (Labour Day)7 October6 October
Christmas Day public holiday25 December25 December
Boxing Day26 December26 December