December is the start of summer in Sydney: the longest days of the year, warm water at the beaches, Christmas lights in the city and a calendar that ends with the harbour fireworks. This guide covers the December weather, the school holiday dates, what is on, what to pack and what rooms cost at Marco Polo Motor Inn Sydney in Summer Hill, where free secured parking is included and rooms start from $140.
Sydney weather in December
The Bureau of Meteorology's long-term averages for Sydney (Observatory Hill) give December a mean maximum of 25.3 degrees and a mean minimum of 17.6, with about 7.6 hours of sunshine a day and rain on roughly eight days in the month, often as a short afternoon storm. The sun rises at about 5.40 am and sets at about 8.05 pm around the summer solstice on 22 December, giving close to 14 and a half hours of daylight.
The UV index reaches extreme levels on clear summer days, and Cancer Council Australia advises sun protection whenever the index is 3 or above, which in Sydney in December covers most of the daylight hours. A hat, sunglasses, SPF50+ sunscreen and a shady lunch spot make the long days comfortable.
What's on in Sydney in December 2026
December runs from the Christmas lights to the New Year's Eve fireworks, with the harbour's biggest sporting start in between. The dates below are from the organisers' published 2026 programmes.
- Christmas lights, the Martin Place tree and the QVB tree from late November, with Christmas markets at Martin Place and The Rocks
- Carols in the Domain: Saturday 19 December 2026 in The Domain, free general admission, broadcast from 8 pm
- Big Bash Sydney Smash, Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers: Saturday 19 December 2026 at ENGIE Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
- Christmas Day on the beach: Friday 25 December 2026, with Bondi the traditional spot
- Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race start at 1 pm on Saturday 26 December 2026, plus the Boxing Day sales and racing at Royal Randwick
- New Year's Eve: Thursday 31 December 2026, fireworks over the harbour at 9 pm and midnight
School holidays and family time
NSW public schools finish Term 4 on Thursday 17 December 2026, and the summer holidays run from Friday 18 December 2026 to Wednesday 27 January 2027, with students in Sydney returning on Wednesday 3 February 2027. From the third week of December, Sydney is in full holiday mode.
Family rooms at the motel sleep up to five. Luna Park at Milsons Point is a train ride across the Harbour Bridge from Central or Wynyard, Darling Harbour is a direct L1 light rail ride from Taverners Hill, Taronga Zoo is a ferry from Circular Quay, and the Blue Mountains are a day trip by train.
Beaches, swimming and what to pack
December is when Sydney's beaches come into their own. Bondi, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee line the coastal walk, each with ocean baths, and the harbour beaches at Nielsen Park and Balmoral are sheltered options for families. Swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags.
- Swimmers, a towel and a rash top or shirt for the beach
- Hat, sunglasses and SPF50+ sunscreen
- Light layers for evenings around 18 degrees
- A compact umbrella or light jacket for afternoon storms
- Comfortable walking shoes and a reusable bottle for Purezza premium water refills
- A picnic rug for Carols in the Domain and the Sydney to Hobart start
Getting around in December
Summer Hill station is a 400 m walk from the motel, about four to five minutes, on the T2 Inner West & Leppington line. Trains reach Central in about 15 minutes and Town Hall, Martin Place, Wynyard and Circular Quay in about 15 to 20 minutes, with St James the closest station to The Domain for the carols.
On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, services run to public holiday timetables, and on New Year's Eve trains run all night; check Transport for NSW for the night's timetable.
Prices and where to stay in December 2026
Marco Polo Motor Inn Sydney is an independent 3.5-star motel at 42-44 Parramatta Road, Summer Hill, about 6.5 km west of the Sydney CBD. Every booking includes one free secured undercover parking spot, free unlimited Wi-Fi and free Purezza premium water refills. Reception is open 24 hours, check-in is from 2 pm and check-out by 10 am, and arrivals after 11 pm are welcome with a small late check-in fee. Rooms range from single and queen to deluxe and family rooms sleeping up to five, each with a fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster.
December rates: rooms from $140 a night Monday to Thursday; Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, public holidays and high seasons from $200; Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day (24, 25 and 26 December 2026) from $225; New Year's Eve (31 December 2026) from $300. There is no restaurant on site, and Summer Hill's cafes, bakeries and restaurants are a short walk away. Booking direct on the website or by phone on 02 8880 8320 gets the best rate with no booking fees.
Why guests choose us
Why December works in Sydney
- Average maximum of 25 degrees and 14 hours of daylight
- Carols in the Domain on Saturday 19 December 2026
- Sydney to Hobart start at 1 pm on Boxing Day
- Fireworks at 9 pm and midnight on New Year's Eve
- School holidays from Friday 18 December 2026
- Rooms from $140 with free secured parking
Gallery
A look around & nearby
Photos: Martin Place (2049726201) by Phil Whitehouse from London, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0; SydDomStage1 by Stuart midgley, CC BY-SA 4.0; Sydney-Hobart by Paul Balfe, CC BY 2.0; Sydney habour bridge & opera house fireworks new year eve 2008 by Linh_rOm, CC BY 2.0; AUS Sydney, Randwick, Coogee Beach 001 by -wuppertaler, CC BY 4.0
Coming up in Sydney this December
- Rise Against1 Dec 2026 · Sydney Opera House - Forecourt
- James Blake2 Dec 2026 · Sydney Opera House - Forecourt
- FORMA pres. SIX60 & SUB-TRIBE - Darling Harbour, Tumbalong Park4 Dec 2026 · Tumbalong Park
- Randwick Twilight Christmas Festival4 Dec 2026 · Royal Randwick Racecourse
- Wolf Alice | Australian Tour 20264 Dec 2026 · Sydney Opera House - Forecourt
- 2026/27 WS Wanderers A League Season (v Perth Glory)5 Dec 2026 · CommBank Stadium
- FORMA pres. Hoodoo Gurus 'Rewind' Tour - Darling Harbour, Tumbalong Park5 Dec 2026 · Tumbalong Park
- Ministry of Sound Summer Dance Festival - Sydney5 Dec 2026 · The Domain
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Sydney in December?
Warm and mostly sunny. The Bureau of Meteorology's averages for Sydney are a maximum of 25.3 degrees and a minimum of 17.6 in December, with about 7.6 hours of sunshine a day and rain on around eight days, often as a brief afternoon storm.
When do the NSW school holidays start in December 2026?
NSW public schools finish on Thursday 17 December 2026 and the summer holidays run from Friday 18 December 2026 to Wednesday 27 January 2027. Sydney students return on Wednesday 3 February 2027.
What is on in Sydney in December 2026?
The city Christmas lights and markets, Carols in the Domain on Saturday 19 December, Christmas Day at the beach, the Sydney to Hobart start at 1 pm on 26 December, the Boxing Day sales and racing, and the New Year's Eve fireworks at 9 pm and midnight.
Is December a good time to visit Sydney?
Yes. It is the start of summer with long days and warm water, and the festive calendar is at its fullest. Rooms at the motel are from $140 Monday to Thursday.
How much is a hotel in Sydney in December 2026?
At Marco Polo Motor Inn Sydney, rooms are from $140 a night Monday to Thursday and from $200 on Friday to Sunday nights and public holidays. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day are from $225 and New Year's Eve is from $300.
Book online here
Book your December in Sydney
Rooms from $140 with free secured parking, 24-hour reception and direct trains to the city, the carols and the harbour.