What's on this December

Here’s all the best events being held across the North Shore this December.

Did we miss something? Let us know and we’ll update! Just email [email protected]

Coal Loader Artisan Markets

130+ stalls will be propped up at the Coal Loader in the first weekend of December, selling handmade ceramics, jewellery, food, and more. 

Free activities will run throughout the day including face painting, a local sewing collective offering mending services, knot-tying workshops and a typewriter station for creating personalised Christmas cards.

When: December 7, 10am–6pm

Where: 2 Balls Head Drive, Waverton

Lifeline's Giant Book Fair in Hornsby

The Rosewood Centre in Hornsby will be cleared out this December to host over 90,000 quality pre-loved books for Lifeline’s Giant Book Fair. 

Collectibles, CDs, DVDs and video games will also be sold at the fair. 

Get in early for the best finds at cheap prices.

When: December 6–8, 8am–5pm

Where: 9 The Avenue

Deep North Festival

If you’re willing to brave a short drive up to the Northern Beaches (the really Northern Beaches) the first weekend of December will be hosting the Deep North Festival across Avalon, Whale and Palm Beach. 

The three day festival will include live music, dance and film screenings, as well as breathwork workshops, yoga, icy cold plunges and saunas: you know, all the hippy stuff they do in the Northern Northern Beaches. 

Tickets available via festival website.

When: December 5–7

Where: Avalon, Palm Beach and Whale Beach.

Military History 1942 Sydney Sub Attack

In modern military history, there is only one instance in which Sydney has come under attack: in 1942, when three Japanese submarines arrived in Sydney harbour, attempting to sink allied warships.

Interested? This month, Lane Cove Library will be hosting Ramon Rees, a navy veteran with over forty-five years’ experience in marine engineering, to discuss the planning, action and aftermath of the infamous attack. Free entry.

When: December 9, 6:15pm–7:45pm

Where: Lane Cove Library

Lane Cove Bug Hunt

As part of the Water Bug Blitz, a national citizen science program, Lane Cove will be hosting a bug hunt this December, looking for all sorts of creepy crawlies along the Lane Cove River, but in particular the Christmas beetle, known to be most prevalent in the months of November and December. 

All equipment is provided by the council, entry is free, but booking is required. 

When: December 6, 9am–11am

Where: 4 Lloyd Rees Drive, Lane Cove

Christmas markets

Special Christmas markets will be running across the North Shore this month, for those looking to join in on festivities or get their gifts from local small businesses. Here are the best ones running.

Turramurra Twilight Christmas Market

When: December 4, 5:30pm–8:30pm

Where: 104 Maxwell Street, South Turramurra

Mosman Christmas Night Market

When: December 11, 4:30pm–9pm

Where: Mosman Village Green

Hornsby Christmas Twilight Market

When: December 13, 4pm – 9pm

Where: Intersection of Florence Street & Hunter Street, Hornsby

Ryde Christmas Market

When: December 14, 9am–3pm

Where: Anderson Park, meadowbank

Preloved Christmas Pop-up Markets Chatswood

When: December 3, 11am–5pm

Where: Chatswood Mall, Victoria Avenue

Wahroonga Village Fair

When: December 7, 9am–4pm

Where: Railway Avenue, Wahroonga

Christmas Twilight Food Fair

When: December 12, 4:30pm–8:30pm

Where: Ted Mack Civic Park, North Sydney

Christmas in Hughes Park

When: December 7, 6pm–9pm

Where: Hughes Park, Lane Cove