A brand new Christmas festival will transform Sydney into a festive playground for the first time. 

The first ‘Christmas in the City’ will begin on Saturday 24 November, a new festival that would allow people to enjoy Sydney’s Christmas celebrations. 

"Our Christmas celebrations have grown in popularity every year so this year we're adding extra stages and roving performers to open the festivities up for everyone," the Lord Mayor said.

“Christmas in the City will include popular children's entertainers including Justine Clarke and Jimmy Giggle as well as choirs on stages at George, King and Pitt streets and Martin Place. Roving magicians, elves on reindeers and roller-skating baubles will delight crowds in between,” she added. 

On Saturday 1 December, Prince Alfred Park will host the City's first Sydney Christmas Children's Concert from 6.30pm-8.30pm, featuring top children's entertainers, festive activities, showbags, fireworks and a visit from Santa.

Moreover, Family friendly concerts will be held from Friday 7 December until Sunday 9 December in Alexandria, Rushcutters Bay, and Rosebery, each featuring a variety of children's entertainers, a visit from Santa and fireworks finales.

Throughout November and December, Christmas in the Village program will take place – Pitt Street Mall will sparkle under a canopy of 80,000 lights and dotted along the streets will be popcorn and coffee carts, and food trucks offering everything from Mexican, Yum Cha and pasta to burgers, vegetarian treats and gelato.

"Our new festival program celebrates the magic of Christmas in the southern hemisphere," the Lord Mayor said.

"It starts with our new Christmas in the City festival and will continue through to Christmas Day with ongoing events, choirs, lights and shopping in the city centre and our villages."

For more information about the Sydney Christmas program, visit Sydneychristmas.com.au.