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Irish Christmas in Sydney 2026
Your first Christmas in Sydney is a strange one. It's 30 degrees, the dinner might be a barbecue, and home is 11 hours behind. This page pulls together what's on for the Irish in Sydney this December, what you can and can't do on Christmas Day, and the dates you need for getting presents home.
We only list things we could confirm on the organiser's or venue's own page. A lot of pubs and clubs haven't announced their Christmas plans yet, so we'll add to this page as they do.
Last checked 11 November 2026. Things change, so confirm with the venue before you travel. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Irish Christmas events in Sydney
Mac's 12 Pubs of Christmas
Cormac McAnallen's GAC's 12 Pubs of Christmas. Christmas jumpers essential. The route and meeting point go up on the club's Facebook page.
Craic Cruise: Irish Sunset Boat Party
Four hours on Sydney Harbour with Irish DJs as the sun goes down. Boarding is at 3:15pm and the boat leaves at 3:30pm sharp. Strictly 18+.
Kids Christmas Party at Penrith Gaels
Music, dancing, party snacks and a visit from Santa. $10 per child, with tickets from the club's reception.
Christmas Eve Dinner at P.J. O'Brien's
A three-course set menu at $85 per person, with live music from 6:30pm. Places are limited and booking is online.
Nollaig na mBan High Tea Cruise
Women's Christmas on the harbour with the Ireland Calling Radio Show. Tickets for the 2027 cruise have sold out.
The weekly sessions keep going through December too, including the Friday trad session at the Gaelic Club. See everything on the What's on page, and if you're running something Christmassy, add it free.
Christmas Day lunch at an Irish pub
So far, one Irish pub in Sydney has published a bookable Christmas Day lunch for 2026.
P.J. O'Brien's, Sydney CBD
Two sittings, at 12pm (finishing by 2:30pm) and at 3pm. Three-course set menu, $90 per person. Places are limited and the pub says it is selling fast. Book online or ring 02 9290 1811.
Other Irish pubs hadn't published Christmas Day plans when we checked, so ring your local before you count on it being open.
Christmas Day at the beach: know the rules
Christmas Day on the sand is the big tradition for backpackers and new arrivals, but the councils have tightened up.
Coogee and the Randwick beaches: alcohol and glass are banned on every Randwick City beach, including the sand and the rock platforms. Coogee Beach has a permanent alcohol ban that also covers the beachside parks, and the streets around it are an Alcohol Free Zone. Randwick Council also sets extra alcohol-free zones in its coastal parks over the festive season. See Randwick Council's alcohol restrictions.
Bronte: Waverley Council had not announced its Christmas Day 2026 plan when we checked. Last year the council asked people not to come to Bronte on Christmas Day, fenced off part of the park and promised more police and security, with alcohol and glass confiscated. Check Waverley Council's news page before you make plans.
Whatever beach you pick, swim between the flags. Our sister site has a guide on staying safe at Australian beaches, and you can check Sydney tide times before you go.
What's open on Christmas Day
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are restricted trading days in New South Wales, which means most shops must close on Christmas Day. Do your food and drink shopping by Christmas Eve.
The NSW Government lists some exemptions, including chemists, petrol stations, newsagents, restaurants, cafes, takeaways, small shops and licensed hotels. On Boxing Day, shops are allowed to open. The full rules are on the NSW Government's public holiday trading page.
Transport for NSW had not published its Christmas Day timetable when we checked. Look at transportnsw.info the week before.
Want a proper Irish Christmas dinner? The Irish Butcher takes orders for Christmas turkeys, hams and spiced beef, and there are more places for Irish groceries in our guide to Irish butchers and Irish food shops in Sydney.
Last post dates to Ireland
Australia Post's 2026 Christmas sending dates for Ireland are below. It says overseas dates are a guide and can change, so earlier is safer.
Economy: Friday 4 December
Economy parcels, Economy Air and registered letters.
Standard parcels: Friday 11 December
Express: Monday 14 December
Express parcels and letters.
Courier: Tuesday 15 December
Courier parcels and letters.
The full list is on Australia Post's Christmas sending dates page.
Family posting to you from Ireland? An Post puts Australia under Rest of World. Its 2026 dates are Monday 7 December for standard letters and large envelopes, and Tuesday 8 December for standard parcels. See An Post's Christmas posting dates.
For every service in both directions, see the Irish Around Oz guide to Christmas posting dates between Ireland and Australia.
Ringing home on Christmas Day
On Christmas Day 2026 Sydney is 11 hours ahead of Ireland. When it's 9am in Ireland it's 8pm in Sydney, so your Christmas evening is their Christmas morning. If you want to catch them at the dinner, 3pm in Ireland is 2am on St Stephen's Day in Sydney.
Going home instead?
If you're thinking about flying home, compare prices on our flights to Ireland page. For the bigger picture, the Irish Around Oz guide to Christmas in Australia when you're Irish covers staying put versus going home.
Quick answers
Are shops open on Christmas Day in Sydney?
Mostly no. Christmas Day is a restricted trading day in NSW, so most shops must close. Some small shops, chemists, petrol stations, cafes, restaurants and hotels are exempt.
Can you drink on Coogee Beach on Christmas Day?
No. Alcohol and glass are banned on all Randwick City beaches, and Coogee has a permanent alcohol ban that covers the beachside parks too.
When is the last day to post a parcel to Ireland for Christmas 2026?
Australia Post's dates are 4 December for Economy, 11 December for Standard parcels, 14 December for Express and 15 December for Courier.
What time is it in Ireland on Christmas Day in Sydney?
Sydney is 11 hours ahead of Ireland on Christmas Day 2026. 8pm in Sydney is 9am in Ireland.