School Holidays in Summer

The Summer school holidays are the perfect time for some fun in the sun in Sydney. The whole family will enjoy the buzzing events calendar, golden beaches, animal encounters and outdoor adventures on offer. Learn to surf, soar through the trees, walk along the clifftops and celebrate the New Year.

Festivals and events

Sydney loves to celebrate in Summer. In December, sing along to your favourites at Carols in the Domain, the largest free Christmas concert in Australia. Watch the boats sail out of the harbour on Boxing Day for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race then find the best vantage point for the incredible New Year’s Eve Fireworks.

On Australia Day, 26 January, head for Circular Quay to see a traditional Aboriginal welcome, a parade of shops, the Ferrython race and a concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. From 25 January to 9 February, the Sydney Lunar Festival marks the Lunar New Year with parades, performances, art and food.

Beaches and outdoor activities

With long days, blue skies and plenty of sunshine, the Summer holidays are the time to get outside in Sydney. Relax on the famous sands of Bondi Beach, learn to surf at Manly, try stand-up paddle boarding in Watsons Bay or take a dip in the calm waters of one of the city’s 35 ocean pools. Just remember to pack the sunscreen.

There are plenty of other ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Hire a pedal car and ride through the vast grounds of Centennial Park, follow the Hermitage Foreshore Track around the edge of the harbour, camp on Cockatoo Island and look for ancient Aboriginal art in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Animals and adventures

Visit more than 4,000 animals in their home overlooking the harbour at Taronga Zoo. In Darling Harbour, you can cruise through the penguin exhibit at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and walk amongst kangaroos at Wild Life Sydney Zoo. Then ride the flying fox or splash through the water zone at the nearby playground.

In Western Sydney, families can tackle challenging ropes courses at Skypeak Adventures and TreeTops Adventure Park. For more thrills, ride the waterslides at Raging Waters, zoom around Sydney Harbour on a jetboat, learn to swing on the flying trapeze at Circus Arts Sydney and try indoor skydiving at iFly Downunder.