At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Families, dog owners, shoppers and seniors in and around Parramatta who want a dated list of the City of Parramatta’s Christmas events for 2026
- What to do now
- Note the first date, Thursday 26 November (tree lighting and markets in Parramatta Square), and book the one event on the list that needs it, the Seniors’ Christmas Celebration on Tuesday 1 December
- 26 November
- Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Markets, Parramatta Square, 11am to 9pm, free; tree lit at 8pm
- 1 December
- Seniors’ Christmas Celebration, Riverside Theatres, 9:30am, complimentary for City of Parramatta residents with a valid NSW Seniors Card
- 5 December
- Santa Paws, a free evening for dogs in Christmas outfits
- 12 December
- Carols in Parramatta Park, from 3pm, free, with fireworks at 9pm
- 17 to 22 December
- Christmas Markets, Parramatta and Centenary Square, 11am to 9pm, free
- Last checked
- Monday 9 November 2026, against the council’s Celebrate Christmas in Parramatta page and its What’s On listings
- Not yet confirmed
- The carols start time (the hub says carols at 6pm, the event page says major performances from 5pm), and the market stall line-up for 17 to 22 December
The City of Parramatta has five Christmas events between 26 November and 22 December 2026, and four of them are free. The list below puts the dates, times and places in one table, with a link to a full guide for the events we have already covered.
This guide uses the council’s Celebrate Christmas in Parramatta page and the What’s On listings for the tree lighting and the Christmas Market, read on Monday 9 November 2026.
What is on, and when?
| Date | Event | Where | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 26 November | Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Markets | Parramatta Square | 11am to 9pm; tree lit at 8pm | Free |
| Tuesday 1 December | Seniors’ Christmas Celebration | Riverside Theatres | 9:30am | Complimentary, with a Seniors Card |
| Saturday 5 December | Santa Paws | North Parramatta | Evening | Free |
| Saturday 12 December | Carols in Parramatta Park | Parramatta Park | From 3pm; fireworks at 9pm | Free |
| Thursday 17 to Tuesday 22 December | Parramatta Christmas Market | Parramatta and Centenary Square | 11am to 9pm | Free |
All times are Sydney time (AEDT).
What happens at the tree lighting on 26 November?
The council says Lord Mayor Councillor Cameron MacLean will light the city’s 16-metre Christmas tree at 8pm in Parramatta Square, marking the start of the holiday celebrations. Christmas markets run from 11am to 9pm with handcrafted gifts, local art, gourmet food and live music, supported by Walker Corporation. The listing shows service animals are welcome, and that the event is wheelchair and low mobility accessible.
Our guide to the tree lighting in Parramatta Square covers the start time in more detail, since the council’s own pages have given both 7:30pm and 8pm.
Who can go to the Seniors’ Christmas Celebration?
The council describes it as a morning at Riverside Theatres on Tuesday 1 December at 9:30am, with a relaxed morning tea, a raffle and a performance of A Very Merry Christmas Variety Show, featuring carols, musical theatre favourites, choreography, acrobatics and comedy.
- It is complimentary.
- It is open to City of Parramatta residents who hold a valid NSW Seniors Card.
- Carers and companions are welcome to join in.
- The hub page has an online booking button. This is the only event on the list where booking is mentioned.
For getting to the theatre and parking, see our guide to getting to Riverside Theatres.
What is Santa Paws?
The council describes Santa Paws as a free evening where you dress your dog in their best Christmas outfit for fun, photos and community spirit, on Saturday 5 December. Our guide to Santa Paws in North Parramatta has the venue, the 5pm to 7pm session and what to bring.
What is on at Carols in Parramatta Park?
The council lists a free Christmas concert on Saturday 12 December with Kate Miller-Heidke, Jay Laga’aia and Justine Clarke, family activities from 3pm and fireworks at 9pm. Parramatta Park will be closed to all vehicles on the day. The hub says the carols start at 6pm and the event page says major performances start from 5pm, so check the council’s page again closer to the date. Our guide to Carols in Parramatta Park has the full list of activities, what to bring and how to get there.
What is the Parramatta Christmas Market?
The Parramatta Christmas Market runs from Thursday 17 December to Tuesday 22 December 2026, 11am to 9pm each day, in Parramatta and Centenary Square. The council says it is a free event, an initiative of the City of Parramatta, operated by Blue Sky Markets and supported by Walker Corporation.
| Detail | What the council says |
|---|---|
| Dates | 17 to 22 December 2026 |
| Hours | 11.00am to 9.00pm |
| Where | Parramatta and Centenary Square |
| Cost | Free event |
| What to expect | Handcrafted gifts, local art, gourmet food and live music |
| Contact | office@parramattamarkets.com.au |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair and low mobility accessible |
The council has not published which stalls or musicians will appear. Payment methods at the stalls are not stated either.
Is there anything else on the Christmas calendar?
Westfield Parramatta held its Santa’s Arrival parade on Saturday 7 November. Our Santa’s Arrival guide remains online for the Santa photo details, and the centre’s parking rates apply to any Christmas shopping trip.
What should I do before the first date?
- Thursday 26 November: go to Parramatta Square for the markets from 11am and the tree lighting at 8pm.
- Seniors Card holders who live in the City of Parramatta: book the 1 December celebration online through the council’s page.
- Saturday 12 December: plan a train or bus trip, because the park will be closed to vehicles.
- 17 to 22 December: come to the market any day from 11am; no ticket is mentioned.
- Check the council’s page again in the week before each event for times and weather updates.
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Parramatta or the event sponsors and operators.
Sources
- City of Parramatta (@Parramatta): Celebrate Christmas in Parramatta, checked Monday 9 November 2026
- City of Parramatta (@Parramatta): Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Markets, checked Monday 9 November 2026
- City of Parramatta (@Parramatta): Parramatta Christmas Market, checked Monday 9 November 2026