This year, the headline experience is the brand-new Wine and Distillery Village, a sparkling Christmas enclave set in front of the MCA, dedicated to organic wines, boutique distilleries, cellar-door tasting moments, and free masterclasses.
The wine and distillery village, taste the season for free
For the first time, Sydney will enjoy a Christmas village dedicated to Australia’s best winemakers and craft distillers.
Visitors can wander through a curated landscape of organic wines, small-batch spirits, festive cocktails, and guided tastings, all completely free, including the highly anticipated Wine and Spirits Masterclasses, which are already filling fast.
Free Masterclasses include:
1- Whisky Masterclass, a deep dive into aromas, flavour structure and Australia’s new generation of whisky makers
2- Gin Discovery, an exploration of botanicals and distillation craft
3- French Wines Masterclass, reds, whites and sparkling served with a European flair
4- Rum Sessions, Amaro tastings, Australian Spirits 101, and more seasonal favourites running throughout December
Every session is intimate, flavour-driven and designed to meet the maker and enjoy some tasting. Ticket is free but booking is essential!
Shop, wine and dine, Sydney’s most delicious Christmas feasting strip
Just steps away, the Wine and Dine precinct becomes a gourmet lane filled with irresistible festive food.
Expect a Christmas feast of:
- Flame-grilled skewers, crispy calamari and street-style burgers
- Fresh Oyster’s & Ice cold Sparkling station the Australian way.
- German sausages, handmade dumplings and wood-fired pizza
- Ginger bread, giant cookies and rich hot chocolate
- Fresh pastries that smell like Christmas in every direction
The foreshore channels a true Christmas market atmosphere, warmed by the aroma of mulled wine, wood huts glowing under fairy lights and people roaming with wine glasses in hand.
A three-precinct Christmas wonderland
Jolly Market expands across City of Sydney, Circular Quay & The Rocks like never before, bringing together three major villages, each with its own festive personality
1. CUSTOMS HOUSE, TRADITIONAL WOOD HUTS RETURN
The iconic European Christmas wood huts return to Customs House, offering:
- Artisan gifts
- Festive European food
- Hot pastries
- Christmas decorations & Snow falling at night.
- Mulled wine and classic seasonal treats
It remains the most photographed corner of the market, a picture-perfect postcard moment.
2. FIRST FLEET PARK, THE MAKERS VILLAGE
A brand-new artisan haven under the lights of Circular Quay, filled with:
- Local makers
- Handmade gifts
- Homewares
- Jewellery
- Festive crafts and unique presents
This is the slow-stroll shopping village where visitors discover one-of-a-kind Christmas treasures, with music and vibe.
3. SANTA’S VILLAGE, PHOTOS WITH A FIVE METRE CHRISTMAS PRESENT
The foreshore transforms into Santa’s Village, home to:
- A giant five metre high Christmas present, Sydney’s new must-have festive photo backdrop
- Daily Santa visits
- Pet-friendly Christmas photos, because every dog deserves a Christmas portrait
Families, friends, and doggies are all welcome to jump in for the perfect holiday picture.
The biggest year yet, free entry, free tastings, free masterclasses
With more than 120 stalls and 11 nights on a raw, three distinct villages, free wine and spirits tastings, live entertainment, festive lighting installations and Sydney Harbour as the backdrop, Jolly Market is transforming the foreshore into an iconic Christmas village.
Opening night is expected to draw thousands, with the first weekend already projected to reach record attendance.
