Image credit: Daniel Griffiths

Noël Light Trail

The Noël Light Trail lights up Macquarie Street and leads the way to the fanciful Digital Christmas Forest at the Parade Ground of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.  

Start at the Hyde Park Barracks and watch its stunning architecture turn into a backdrop for an animated projection of the timeless classic, the Nutcracker.  

Follow the Noël Light Trail and watch and feel the stories of the season unfold through sound and light transformations on Sydney’s four historic buildings along Macquarie Street. 

The Mint, Sydney Hospital and the State Library will feature stunning lighting treatments on their historical facades. 

You will know you’re close to the Digital Christmas Forest when you reach ‘The Sweet Way’, on Shakespeare Place. This majestic Christmas colonnade ushers you through the Noël gates to your CandyLand lolly hunt. This journey of discovery culminates in the transformation of the Conservatorium of Music into a Sweet Palace with scenes and characters from the Nutcracker.

The magic makers will greet you, sprinkle Christmas dust and spread cheer before ushering you into the most magical Digital Christmas Forest and Noël Christmas Market the world will ever see. 

Experience the magic of Christmas on Macquarie Street and in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. The Noël Light Trail starts at Hyde Park Barracks where the Nutcracker pirouettes from book to building. It runs down to a beautifully lit Macquarie Street towards the Conservatorium of Music, now a reimagined Sweet Palace. Follow the lights into the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to the Parade Ground, home to the whimsical Digital Christmas Forest, markets, entertainment, and the Noël Christmas Skyshow. 

Just like a magnificent Christmas gift, a wonderous evening at Noël Sydney takes consideration and planning. For those who prefer the simplest and fastest trip into town, public transport offers large transport hubs within short walking distance of Macquarie St and Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.  

Martin Place and Circular Quay are the closest transport hubs to Noël Sydney with frequent trains, buses, ferries, and light rail services all a stone’s throw away. You may also consider Town Hall and Wynyard which are also nearby. Should you need help planning, the elves at Transport NSW are at your service – simply visit transportnsw.info. 

Gifts are delivered on Christmas Eve rain, hail, or shine. And certainly, Noël Sydney will deliver under the same Christmas conditions. It’s best you plan for whatever Sydney skies may bring.  

The Digital Christmas Forest at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is home to much of our joyous program and true to every garden occasion, a picnic blanket is a most wonderful addition. Leave the picnic basket at home, though, and indulge in the delicacies and drinks the magic makers will so happily serve you after a tap of your credit/debit card. Contactless purchases are always preferred.  

We do expect many people to join in the festivities – so if you have a little one that requires a pram, it is recommended that you attend on weeknights. It won’t be as crowded and they’ll get a much better view.

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Noël Sydney is planning for a grander, brighter Christmas festival in 2024. Subscribe or follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
Follow us for the gift of good news.
Noël Sydney is planning for a grander, brighter Christmas festival in 2024. Subscribe or follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates.