At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Families and anyone in western Sydney who wants a free Christmas concert, activities and fireworks in Parramatta Park
- What to do now
- Put Saturday 12 December in the diary and plan to arrive by train or bus: the City of Parramatta says Parramatta Park will be closed to all vehicles
- When
- Saturday 12 December 2026, activities from 3pm, major performances from 5pm, fireworks at 9pm (Sydney time)
- Where
- Parramatta Park: main stage at The Crescent, family activities and food at Monuments
- Cost
- Free
- Headline acts
- Kate Miller-Heidke, Jay Laga’aia and Justine Clarke, with the live band The Jingle Jammers and a visit from Santa
- Last checked
- Sunday 8 November 2026, against two City of Parramatta (@Parramatta) pages for the event
- Not yet confirmed
- Set times for each performer and the finish time: one page says 3pm to 9pm and another says 3pm to 10pm
Carols in Parramatta Park is free on Saturday 12 December 2026, with Kate Miller-Heidke, Jay Laga’aia and Justine Clarke performing and a fireworks display at 9pm. The City of Parramatta says Parramatta Park will be closed to all vehicles on the day, so the council strongly recommends public transport.
This guide uses the council’s Carols in Parramatta Park page and its What’s On listing, both read on Sunday 8 November 2026. Where the council has not published something, this guide says so.
When does Carols in Parramatta Park start and finish?
| Item | What the council says |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday 12 December 2026 |
| Activities start | 3pm |
| Major performances | From 5pm at The Crescent |
| Fireworks | 9pm |
| Finish | 3pm to 9pm on the event page; 3pm to 10pm on the What’s On listing |
| Cost | Free |
The two council pages give different finish times, and neither lists set times for individual performers. Treat 9pm, when the fireworks begin, as the one fixed point and check the council’s page again closer to the date.
Who is performing?
The council names three headline performers: Kate Miller-Heidke, Jay Laga’aia and Justine Clarke. The live band The Jingle Jammers will lead sing-alongs, and the council says to keep an eye out for a very special appearance from Santa.
There is also an official souvenir Songbook, described as the event’s first ever, for singing along to Christmas carols. Copies can be collected from the information booths until stock runs out, and the council thanks Royal Caribbean as the Songbook partner.
What is on at The Crescent and Monuments?
| Area | Time | What the council lists |
|---|---|---|
| The Crescent (main stage) | 3pm to 9pm | Carols performances, roving performers, food vendors, fireworks display at 9pm |
| Monuments (family area) | 3pm to 9pm | Free petting zoo*, nativity scene, free face painting, Greater Sydney Parklands Christmas craft workshop, amusement rides, Christmas markets, food vendors, horse and carriage rides*; NSW Fire and Rescue truck, NSW Police and SES activations |
The council marks the petting zoo and the horse and carriage rides with an asterisk, and says those two end at 8pm.
The Greater Sydney Parklands craft workshop is for children. The council says they will use leaves, flowers, gumnuts and other natural materials to make Christmas decorations to take home, hang on the tree or give as a gift, without plastic.
Can I park in Parramatta Park?
No. The council says Parramatta Park will be closed to all vehicles, strongly recommends public transport, and warns of significant traffic delays in the city around the park because of road closures. The event page also links to paid parking options in the city. The council describes the park as an easy walk from train stations and multi-level car parks.
If you plan to park in the city and walk, our guide to council car parks in Parramatta CBD lists the council’s prices as of early November. This guide has not checked what the car parks charge or how full they are on 12 December.
How do I get there by train or bus?
| Option | What the council says |
|---|---|
| Train to Westmead | A quick 5-minute walk via Railway Avenue |
| Train to Parramatta | A short 12-minute walk to Parramatta Park; the council says Parramatta Station is 30 minutes from the Sydney CBD |
| Bus | Buses run to the interchange on Argyle Street, near Parramatta Station, and connect Parramatta with Castle Hill, Hornsby, Ryde, Strathfield and the Sydney CBD. Routes may change because of road closures |
| Trip planning | Transport for NSW trip planner at transportnsw.info, or call 131 500 |
The council says there are plenty of additional services on the Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink networks but names no extra services for the night; this guide has not checked timetables.
What can I bring, and what is not allowed?
| Item | What the council says |
|---|---|
| Your own food and drinks | Allowed. The council suggests a picnic basket or esky, and low foldable festival chairs or a picnic rug |
| Cooking equipment | Not permitted, such as camping gas burners |
| Shade tents and domes | Not permitted |
| Drones | Not permitted |
| Dogs | The council recommends leaving them at home, because the fireworks are quite close to the event site; if you live nearby, plan for your pets to be safe during the 9pm fireworks |
| Water | Free drinking water taps are located throughout the park, such as at The Crescent and Monuments; bring your own bottle |
Is it accessible, and what if it rains?
- Accessibility: the event is in parkland with mostly grassed areas and gravel access paths. Accessible toilets are available, and the council describes the park as wheelchair accessible.
- First aid: there will be first aid on site. Speak to staff at the information stall if you need help.
- Weather: the event goes ahead in mild wet weather and will be postponed in dangerous weather. The council says to watch its AT Parramatta Instagram and Facebook pages for updates.
- Food: there will be food trucks and food vendors, with a mix of sweet and savoury.
What should I do before I go?
- Date: Saturday 12 December 2026, with activities from 3pm and the fireworks at 9pm.
- Entry is free and the council does not mention tickets.
- Do not drive into the park. Plan a train or bus trip, or park in the city and walk.
- Pack a rug or low chairs, a water bottle and your own food if you wish; leave the dog, drone and tent at home.
- Check the council’s page again in the week before for set times, a finish time and weather updates.
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Parramatta, Greater Sydney Parklands or the event’s sponsors and partners.
Sources
- City of Parramatta (@Parramatta): Carols in Parramatta Park, checked Sunday 8 November 2026
- City of Parramatta (@Parramatta): What’s On, Christmas Carols in Parramatta Park, checked Sunday 8 November 2026
- Transport for NSW trip planner