Family Christmas Guide: Christmas Markets, Lights, Carols, Meet Santa & Kids Gift Ideas in Illawarra
Searching for magical Christmas lights, local Christmas markets, Santa photo’s, Carols or kid’s gift ideas? Here at Parents Guide Illawarra, we’ve wrapped up the best of Christmas events in Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Illawarra wide! Get inspired for family fun times this season. We’ve included many free Christmas events too.
Pssst, Christmas is amazing, but those long summer holidays are tough. We got you! Read our sanity saving, Illawarra Summer School Holiday Activities & What’s on Guide.
Where to Meet Santa in the Illawarra
- Santa’s Arrival & Parade at Dapto Mall, Saturday 15 November, from 9.30am (pictured above). Santa will arrive on a Dapto Rural Fire Brigade truck, followed by a festive parade featuring Mrs Claus, Rudolph, Spidey, Olaf & Elsa, a Minion, a brass band, and more. Enjoy free balloon sculptures, face painting, and photo opportunities with your favourite characters. Santa Photos start from 10:20am (bookings essential). More info here
- The Fraternity Club’s Festive Fun Day + MEGA Toy Raffle, Saturday 6 December, 11am – 2pm – Celebrate the season at The Frat’s Festive Fun Day with free face painting, a nativity scene with farm animals, live music, a Christmas craft corner, and a photo with Santa.
- Illawarra Light Railway’s Ride the Christmas Train – Sunday 14 December, 10am – 2pm – The museum will be transformed into a Christmas Wonderland for a great fun family day out + photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs Clause.
Illawarra Christmas Markets
- Bulli Showground Village Christmas Market, Sunday 14 December, 9am – 2pm – Handmade, local, delicious! A must-visit in December at Bulli Showground.
- Illawarra’s Mega Indoor Christmas Market, Sunday 7 December, 10am – 3pm – Featuring 125 of the best stalls for all your Christmas shopping, plus free Christmas craft activities for the kids. Located at Shellharbour City Stadium.
- The Illawarra Lapidary Club’s Christmas Market, Sunday 30 November, 9am – 2pm. Purchase Mineral Specimens, Fossils, Lapidary Materials and Jewellery. Morning Tea and Lunch available.
- Kiama Christmas Market – Saturday 20 December – Sunday 21 December, 11am – 5pm – Boutique gifts, festive nibbles, and local entertainment for the whole family. Located at Black Beach, Kiama Harbour.
Check out our sister website, What’s on in Wollongong’s Ultimate Guide to Illawarra markets
Best Christmas Light Displays in Wollongong & Illawarra
After dinner and sunset, pop the kids in the car and cruise the Illawarra’s best suburbs and streets for Christmas lights. Crank up the Christmas tunes and enjoy the magic of these amazing home displays.
Here are the best Illawarra suburbs for Christmas lights:
- Woonona’s Edgewood Estate
- Farmborough Heights
- Cordeau Heights
- Albion Park & Albion Park Rail
- Figtree
- Horsley
Get more streets and suburbs for the Best Wollongong & Illawarra Christmas Light Displays.
Christmas Carols
Singing is good for the soul! Here’s our best Illawarra Christmas Carols:
- Carols in MacCabe Park, Wollongong, Thursday 11 December, 6.30pm – 8.30pm (pictured above) Enjoy a magical evening of carols led by the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, including face painting, food, roving entertainment, and a special visit from Santa. Bring your picnic rug or chair too.
- Shellharbour Carols by Candlelight, Friday 12 December, 5pm – 9pm (pictured above) – Features classic Christmas music, festive treats, and unique goodies for all ages. Enjoy pre-show activities and market stalls from 5pm, with the main event kicking off at 6pm. With seasonal favourites from handpicked food vendors and the chance to grab some last-minute stocking stuffers, it’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
View our What’s On calendar for all Christmas, NYE & School Holiday Activities
Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids (Local & Online!)
Support local AND get meaningful gifts:
- Early Start Discovery Space Gift Membership – Perfect for curious little minds!
- Revolution Laser Arena & VR Gift Vouchers – Great for active kids and teens who love the challenge of laser tag and cool virtual reality fun.
- Green Connect Eco-Gift Packs – Sustainable and local + outdoor fun for the whole family.
- Flip Out Albion Park Passes – Active, indoor fun that lasts beyond Christmas Day!
- Hayley Haynes Family & Portrait Photographer – Gift beautiful memories this festive season with a personalised photo shoot.
- A Gift Voucher to Kids Classes – dance, martial arts, coding, art + more! – Give the gift of fun and learning this Christmas with a kids’ class voucher
- Hangdog Indoor Climbing Gym – Give the gift of adventure with a Hangdog Climbing Gym voucher – fun, active, and perfect for all ages!
- Northern Bowl, Bellambi – Strike up some fun this Christmas with a Northern Bowl family voucher
More Kids Christmas Events
Sunset Cinema Wollongong is back – grab your Early Bird Pass now & SAVE!
Get ready for summer movie nights (including some awesome Christmas movies for kids and families) under the stars as Sunset Cinema Wollongong returns 11 Dec 2025 – 28 Mar 2026 to Wollongong Botanic Garden. Early Bird Prices: Adults $18 | Kids $13 – limited time only! Lock in your pass now & SAVE. Don’t miss out – passes sell fast every year. This season they’ve got a blockbuster program of new releases, timeless classics & everything in-between for all ages.
Looking for even more family-friendly Christmas events happening across Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and the Illawarra? Our top Christmas events are:
- Dreaming of a Green Christmas, Saturday 20 December, 11am – 12pm (pictured below)- presented by The Eaton Gorge Theatre Company at the Wollongong Botanic Garden. Join cheeky elves Elfis and Elvin as they prepare for Santa’s Aussie visit. Their mission? To find a local animal to help lead Santa’s sleigh and discover fun, sustainable ways to celebrate a greener Christmas. This interactive outdoor show is packed with festive cheer, audience participation, and joyful moments for the whole family. Kids under 4 are free.
- The Fraternity Club’s Festive Fun Day + MEGA Toy Raffle, Saturday 6 December, 11am – 2pm – Celebrate the season at The Frat’s Festive Fun Day with free face painting, a nativity scene with farm animals, live music, a Christmas craft corner, and a photo with Santa.
- The Lake Illawarra Hotel’s Festive Family Fun Day, Saturday 6 December, 12pm – 3pm – With Christmas themed activities, face painting plus a special appearance by Santa.
- Illawarra Light Railway’s Ride the Christmas Train, Sunday 14 December, 10am – 2pm – The museum will be transformed into a Christmas Wonderland for a great fun family day out + photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs Clause.
- North Nowra Tavern’s Festive Family Fun Day, Sunday 14 December, 12pm – 3pm – With Christmas themed activities, face painting plus a special appearance by Santa.
- Christmas Bambini Disco at The Fraternity Club, Friday 19 December, 6pm – 8pm – It’s time for some festive fun! Watch your little ones groove to their favourite tunes while you relax and enjoy a delicious meal from the bistro or the Frat’s famous wood-fired pizza.
- Christmas Squishmallow Bingo at The Fraternity Club, Monday 22 December, 11.30am – 12.30pm – Join in for Kids’ Bingo, Fun and Games, where everyone’s a winner. This event is perfect for children aged 4 to 12 years.
- Christmas Jewellery Workshops (Sunday 30 November) & Christmas Bauble Decorating Workshops (Sat 22 & Sat 29 November) – Dapto Mall – Whether you’re decorating your family tree or crafting a thoughtful gift for someone special, you’ll leave with 3 handmade treasures full of Christmas joy.
Explore the full list of Christmas events, markets and what’s on here
Where to buy Christmas Trees (live ones)
- Bunnings (Kembla Grange, Shellharbour & Bellambi) – Potted Christmas-style trees available beginning of December. Cypress pine varieties; reusable year after year
- Leisure Coast Garden Centre – Cut trees in stock from 30 November on a first-in, best-dressed basis. Smaller potted trees also available
- Burnetts On Barney (Kiama) – Trees available from 30 November.
- Santa’s Farm (Tullimbar) – Freshly cut trees available from 1 December, 9am. Open 7 days a week until sold out.
- Christmas World (Albion Park) – Freshly cut USA-style, Australian-grown trees from 1 December
- Bulli Greengrocer – Trees available around the beginning of December. Option to pre-order and get a call when trees arrive
- Tilba Farm Trees (Wentworth Christmas Festival) – 5–9′ tall, beautifully shaped trees grown on Tilba Farm
- The Rose Tree Garden Centre (Berry) – Traditional potted Christmas trees available. Many slow-growing varieties suitable for reuse year after year
Parents Guide Illawarra – More what’s on for kids & family
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Check out these articles below for more ideas on things to do and places to see in Wollongong or the Illawarra (and surrounds):
- 10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong, Shellharbour & Shoalhaven areas
- Best Gated Playgrounds in the Illawarra!
- Best Toddler-friendly Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra
- Best babies, toddlers, school-aged and teen classes / after-school activities
- What to do in Wollongong with a baby. New Parents Guide to The Illawarra
- What to do in Wollongong with toddlers. Illawarra’s best kids’ activities
- Click here for ideas on Illawarra outings you could do with your family to have quality family time
- 10 Family Friendly Cycle Rides in Wollongong. Best Bike Tracks in the Illawarra
- 5 Fantastic Family Adventures in the Illawarra
- Beautiful and free ways for families to enjoy the cooler weather in the Illawarra
- Best gated playgrounds in the Illawarra!
- Best Family Day Trips from the Illawarra. Get Inspired!