At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Families, workers finishing in the CBD and anyone who wants to see the City of Parramatta’s 18-metre Christmas tree lit
- What to do now
- Put Thursday 26 November in the diary and plan to arrive by public transport; the council has not published any parking information
- When
- Thursday 26 November 2026, Christmas Markets 11am to 9pm (Sydney time); the Lord Mayor lights the tree in the evening, listed as 7:30pm on one City of Parramatta page and 8pm on two others
- Where
- Parramatta Square, in the centre of the Parramatta CBD
- Cost
- Free, according to the City of Parramatta; anything you buy at the markets costs extra
- Getting there
- Plan your trip with the Transport for NSW trip planner; the council has published no transport or parking advice
- Organiser
- City of Parramatta; the markets are supported by Walker Corporation
- Last checked
- Wednesday 28 October 2026, against the City of Parramatta’s @Parramatta pages
- Not yet confirmed
- The exact lighting time, the market stall list and live music acts, rain plans, first aid and accessibility details, and any road or lane closures
The City of Parramatta will light its 18-metre Christmas tree in Parramatta Square on Thursday 26 November 2026, with Christmas Markets open from 11am to 9pm the same day. The council says all of its Christmas events are free. The council’s own pages disagree on the lighting time, so plan to be in the square before 7:30pm and treat 8pm as the later of the two times it gives.
This guide uses the City of Parramatta’s What’s On listing and its Celebrate Christmas at Parramatta page, both read on Wednesday 28 October 2026. Where the council has not said something, this guide says so rather than guessing.
What time is the Parramatta Christmas tree lighting?
The markets run from 11am to 9pm on Thursday 26 November. The lighting itself is an evening moment hosted by the Lord Mayor, Cr Cameron MacLean, and the council gives two different times for it.
| Council page | Lighting time it gives |
|---|---|
| What’s On listing for the event | 7:30pm |
| Celebrate Christmas at Parramatta page (programme) | 8pm |
| Same page, FAQ answer “When are the events?” | 8pm |
Two of the three mentions say 8pm and one says 7:30pm. This guide cannot tell you which is right, and the council has not explained the difference. The practical answer is to arrive before 7:30pm. Arriving by then means you will not miss it at either time. This guide will be updated if the council corrects either page.
Is the Christmas tree lighting free?
Yes, according to the council. The What’s On listing is marked as a free event, and the Christmas FAQ says: “All our Christmas events are FREE for the community”. That covers entry to Parramatta Square and the tree lighting. It does not cover what you buy. The council describes the markets as a selection of handcrafted gifts, local art and gourmet food, with live music. It has not published prices, and it has not said whether stallholders take cards, so carry a little cash as a precaution.
Where in Parramatta Square is the tree?
The council’s FAQ says the tree lighting and markets are held in Parramatta Square itself. It has not published a site map, so the exact position of the tree, the stalls and any stage is not confirmed. The council’s listing names Parramatta Square as the location for the whole day, and the FAQ says the tree lighting and markets will be situated in Parramatta Square itself.
How do I get to Parramatta Square for the tree lighting?
Public transport is the sensible choice. The council has not published a transport or parking guide for the evening, so these are the options you can see for yourself.
- Train: use the trip planner to find services to Parramatta Station. The council gives no walking time from the station to the square, so allow extra time.
- Light rail: the photos on this page show a light rail stop named Parramatta Square, taken in other years. Check the Transport for NSW trip planner for the services you need.
- Driving: the council has not said where to park, whether any streets will close, or whether public car parks have special rates. Read the signs where you leave the car.
This guide has not checked trackwork on the train network for 26 November, so look at the trip planner on the day before you leave.
What will be at the Christmas Markets?
The council lists handcrafted gifts, local art, gourmet food and live music. It has not named stallholders or musicians for 26 November, so there is nothing to plan around yet.
| What | What the council says |
|---|---|
| Christmas tree lighting | 18-metre tree, lit by the Lord Mayor in the evening |
| Markets | 11am to 9pm, supported by Walker Corporation |
| Stalls | Handcrafted gifts, local art, gourmet food |
| Live music | Listed; no acts or times published |
| Stallholder list | Not published |
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The What’s On listing says the event is wheelchair and low mobility accessible and that service animals are welcome. The council has not published details such as accessible toilets, seating or drop-off points. The Christmas page has an accessibility question in its FAQ, but the answer did not load when this guide was written, so it is not confirmed here. Contact the City of Parramatta through its website if you need specifics before you go.
What if it rains?
No source this guide could read says what happens in wet weather, and the rain answer in the council’s FAQ did not load. The event is outdoors in a public square, so bring a jacket or umbrella if the forecast is uncertain, and check the council’s channels on the day.
What else is on this Christmas in Parramatta?
The council’s Christmas page lists the rest of its programme, and all of it is free according to the FAQ. The Seniors’ Christmas Celebration is free for City of Parramatta residents with a valid NSW Seniors Card, and booking is online. Both the What’s On listing and the Christmas page describe the tree lighting as the moment that marks the start of the holiday celebrations.
| Event | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Tree Lighting and Christmas Markets | Thursday 26 November, markets 11am to 9pm | Parramatta Square |
| Seniors’ Christmas Celebration | Tuesday 1 December, 9:30am (NSW Seniors Card holders who live in the City of Parramatta; book online) | Riverside Theatres |
| Carols in Parramatta Park | Saturday 12 December, from 3pm; carols at 6pm | Parramatta Park |
| Christmas Markets | 17 to 22 December, 11am to 9pm | Parramatta Square |
The carols list Kate Miller-Heidke, Jay Laga’aia and Justine Clarke, and the council says the Parramatta Park event ends at 9pm. The council’s page lists activities from 3pm to 9pm, a Food Village, and support from Westfield Parramatta. It will get its own guide closer to the date.
What should I know before I go?
- Date: Thursday 26 November 2026. Markets 11am to 9pm, Sydney time.
- Lighting: listed at 7:30pm on one page and 8pm on two others. Arrive before 7:30pm.
- Cost: free to attend. Bring money for food and stalls.
- Getting there: train or light rail. There is no published parking plan.
- Weather: nothing is published for rain, so dress for it.
- Photos on this page show the area in other years and are not from the event.
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Parramatta or Walker Corporation.
Sources
- City of Parramatta (@Parramatta): Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony & Christmas Markets, checked Wednesday 28 October 2026
- City of Parramatta (@Parramatta): Celebrate Christmas at Parramatta, checked Wednesday 28 October 2026
- Transport for NSW trip planner