What’s On This Week in Sydney for week December 11 to 18
-Sydney’s Festive Fun Guide!
The Christmas countdown is officially on! Sydney is sparkling with market cheer, classic cinema under the stars, and major theatre productions as the city shifts into holiday mode. The city’s major galleries are launching their summer blockbusters, featuring a world-renowned sculptor and a fascinating deep dive into artificial intelligence.
Arts & Culture: Major Gallery Exhibitions
Sydney is hosting the Sydney International Art Series this summer, bringing two exclusive, must-see exhibitions to the city’s premier institutions.
Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW)
| Exhibition | Dates | Details |
| Ron Mueck: Encounter | Dec 6, 2025 – Apr 12, 2026 | The largest-ever exhibition on home soil for the internationally acclaimed Australian sculptor, known for his hyper-realistic, hauntingly intimate figures at uncanny scales. The show features nearly a third of his life’s output and debuts a powerful new immersive work, Havoc (2025). |
| Janet Dawson: Far Away, So Close | Until Jan 18, 2026 | A monographic exhibition dedicated to the Australian modernist artist, examining her significant oeuvre saturated with light, colour, and hope from the early 2000s to the present day. |
| Tina Havelock Stevens: !! | Until Mar 1, 2026 | A contemporary project featuring the Sydney-based artist’s immersive work. |
Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)
| Exhibition | Dates | Details |
| Data Dreams: Art and AI | Nov 21, 2025 – Apr 27, 2026 | The MCA’s summer blockbuster is a cutting-edge exploration of contemporary art in the age of artificial intelligence. It features works by visionary artists examining how AI is reshaping creativity, identity, and the future of human experience. |
| Primavera 2025: Young Australian Artists | Until Mar 9, 2026 | The 34th annual exhibition showcasing the most exciting work by Australian artists aged 35 and under, featuring five artists responding to the challenge of making things in a digital and post-industrial era. |
| A Conversation with the Sun (Afterimage) | Until Dec 31, 2025 | A new video installation by acclaimed filmmaker and artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul, providing a mesmerizing and thought-provoking experience. |
🎄 Festive Highlights & Markets
Get your last-minute gift shopping done and soak up the summer Christmas spirit at these vibrant events.
| Event | When | Where | Details |
| The Rocks Markets: Christmas Edition | Fri (10am-3pm), Sat & Sun (10am-5pm) | George Street, The Rocks | The perfect place to tick off your Christmas shopping list with local stallholders offering unique gifts, festive treats, and handmade treasures. Running until Christmas Eve! |
| Darling Harbour Christmas Festival | Saturday 13th December (4pm-9pm) | Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour | Enjoy an all-Australian lineup featuring some of the best local music talent. Don’t miss this holiday celebration with great music and festive cheer right on the waterfront. |
| Laneway Cinema: The Holiday | Wednesday 17th December (7:00pm) | George Street, The Rocks | Catch the festive classic The Holiday under the stars. Experience this cosy movie night in the heart of The Rocks with twinkling lights and beanbag seating (gates open 5:30pm). |
Carriageworks Farmers’ Market (The main weekly market)
This is the largest and most well-known market in the area, specializing in seasonal and gourmet produce.
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What: Fresh seasonal produce, artisan breads, organic meats, flowers, and gourmet food stalls from local farmers and makers. It’s a great spot to grab breakfast, a coffee, or stock up for the week.
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When: Every Saturday, from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
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Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
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Rating: 4.5 stars
The market is held rain, hail, or shine in the historic industrial space of Carriageworks.
2. Upcoming Special Markets at Carriageworks
In addition to the regular Saturday market, the venue hosts special events that might interest you, especially since it is December:
| Date | Market Name | Time | Details |
| Sunday, December 14, 2025 | Second Life Markets (Vintage) | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Australia’s largest curated vintage and sustainable fashion market with over 120 sellers. |
| Saturday, December 20, 2025 | Carriageworks Christmas Market | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM | A one-day festive market featuring over 120 stallholders with seasonal cheer, specialty food, and unique gifts for the holidays. |
Location
You can find the location of the Carriageworks Farmers’ Market pinned on the map below:
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Maps Link: Carriageworks Farmers’ Market
For the most up-to-date information on all markets and events, you can visit the Carriageworks website.
🍸 Food & Drink / Post-Shop Unwind
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The Pier Social: Golden Hour Drinks
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When: Thursday 18th December (4pm-9pm)
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Where: Pier Pavilion, 3 Barangaroo Ave
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Details: Relax and unwind with a Golden Hour drink at the stunning Pier Pavilion at Barangaroo. It’s the perfect place to kick back and enjoy live music by the water with friends, soaking up the festive vibe. (Note: This is the last Thursday before the season ends!
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Head down to The Rocks Markets: Christmas Edition for all your last-minute shopping
- When: Every Friday (10am-3pm), Saturday and Sunday (10am-5pm) in December
- Where: George Street, The Rocks
- The Rocks Markets: Christmas Edition is the perfect place to tick off your Christmas shopping list. Explore local stallholders offering unique gifts, festive treats and much more! Don’t miss these markets, running until Christmas Eve.
Join us at Darling Harbour Christmas Festival for an all-Aussie festive lineup
- When: Saturday 13th December (4pm-9pm)
- Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
- Enjoy an all-Australian lineup featuring some of the best local talent, including live performances from top Aussie artists! Don’t miss this holiday celebration with great music and festive cheer.
Head to Laneway Cinema for a cosy Christmas movie night
- When: Wednesday 17th December (Gates open at 5:30pm, movie starts at 7:00pm)
- Where: George Street, The Rocks
- Catch The Holiday under the stars – two strangers swap homes for Christmas, finding new adventures, friendships, and maybe a little romance along the way. Experience this festive classic in the heart of The Rocks, with twinkling lights, beanbags, and a unique outdoor cinema atmosphere.
Unwind at The Pier Social for post-Christmas shopping drinks
- When: Every Thursday from 27th November – 20th December (4pm-9pm)
- Where: Pier Pavilion, 3 Barangaroo Ave
- Relax and unwind with a Golden Hour drink at the stunning Pier Pavilion at Barangaroo. It’s the perfect place to kick back and enjoy live music by the water with friends, all while soaking up the festive vibe.
