With the festive season fast approaching, the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) in Sydney’s CBD is set to transform into a Christmas wonderland, brimming with musical and cultural delights.
This year, the QVB promises to be a must-visit destination, capturing the true essence of Christmas through an array of enchanting events and activities.
Kicking off the celebrations, the NCE Sydney Choir will fill the halls with the melodious sounds of the season. Their performances, scheduled every Thursday at 5pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm from 16th November to 24th December, are sure to uplift and inspire Sydneysiders with the spirit of Christmas.
A highlight of this year’s festivities is the unveiling of the QVB’s majestic Christmas tree on 8th November. Standing at an impressive 20 metres, this Wollemi Pine-inspired tree is the tallest indoor Christmas tree in New South Wales. It features a unique First Nations artistic overlay, developed in collaboration with the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative. Artists Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft, Jude Jarratt, and Jeffrey Samuels have crafted an immersive experience that celebrates Australia’s rich cultural heritage, drawing from over 60,000 years of Indigenous knowledge. Visitors will marvel at Dr. Bancroft’s interactive installation, which transports guests into a vibrant bush and rainforest setting, complete with the enchanting sounds of endangered birds from “Songs of Disappearance” by The Bowerbird Collective.
The tree is adorned with 45 hand-painted flannel flowers by Jarratt and Samuels, visible from the upper floors. On Level 2, guests can enjoy augmented reality experiences featuring Southern Royal Albatross-inspired decorations soaring around the tree. Complementing these visuals, daily light shows paired with soundscapes from Nardi Simpson’s “Of Stars and Birds” will illuminate the space at 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, and 5:30pm. Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft expressed her excitement, noting, “The tree showcases our love for nature and explores themes of connection with country and Mother Nature, while celebrating Australia’s native flora and fauna.”
Apart from the festive displays, the QVB is home to an array of luxurious brands and unique dining experiences, perfect for Christmas shopping. Visitors can find gifts and stocking fillers at iconic retailers such as Clarins’ first stand-alone store, Hobbyco, Mooii, Gewurzhaus, Haigh’s Chocolates, Koko Black, Lush, and The Tea Collective. After a day of shopping, unwind at one of the many exquisite dining venues, including Manon Brasserie, The Tea Room QVB, ESQ Bar and Dining, or Reign Champagne Parlour & Bar.
To delve deeper into the history of this iconic Sydney landmark, the QVB will offer a special Christmas Edition of its History Tour starting 9th November. Available daily at 12pm and 2pm for $25, guests can book online to explore the building’s rich past and learn about the creation of the stunning Christmas tree and the artists behind its design.
This festive season, the QVB invites all to immerse themselves in a celebration of culture, music, and community, making it the perfect setting for your Christmas festivities.