Christmas on the Coffs Coast is less about fireplaces and snow and more about sunscreen, salty hair and warm evenings. “Christmas in Coffs Harbour” usually means a swim or surf in the morning, a rest in the afternoon and then heading out to a carols night, Santa visit, movie or market once the sun goes down. Whether you are a local or visiting for the holidays, there are plenty of Coffs Coast Christmas events to help you soak up the season.
Beach by day, festive by night
For many families, Christmas week starts the same way: with towels, beach umbrellas and eskies packed into the car and a beeline made for Park Beach, Sawtell, Woolgoolga or Urunga. A swim or surf before it gets too hot, a game of beach cricket and a simple picnic lunch in the shade feels like peak Coffs Coast Christmas. It is relaxed, outdoorsy and very Australian.
As the sun goes down, the celebrations move from the shoreline to parks, markets and community spaces, where the region’s carols, Santa appearances and family events really come to life.
Carols by the coast, in the park and under the trees
Woolgoolga Mitre 10 Carols By The Sea turns Woolgoolga Beach Reserve into a seaside carols stage. The Woolgoolga community comes together to enjoy live Christmas music from The Toads, food stalls, face painting and a special visit from Santa, who arrives in style on a fire truck. Families spread out on picnic rugs, kids run between the stage and the sand, and the whole evening feels like a classic small coastal town Christmas.
Where: Woolgoolga Beach Reserve
When: Friday 19 December 2025, 6pm – 9pm
Coffs Coast Carols brings that big community buzz to Brelsford Park. This laid-back, family-friendly event features a line-up of local performers, delicious food stalls, kids’ activities and all your favourite carols to sing along to. Santa makes a much-anticipated appearance and the evening finishes with a fireworks display that lights up the Coffs Harbour sky. It is one of the signature Christmas events in Coffs Harbour and a tradition for many local families.
Where: Brelsford Park, Coffs Harbour
When: Saturday 20 December 2025, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Urunga’s Carols in the Park offers a riverside take on Christmas. The evening begins with traditional carols from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, before the night shifts into music and dancing until after sunset. There are kids’ giveaways, face painting and glow sticks, and the relaxed setting at the River Stage makes it easy to kick back and enjoy the atmosphere. The event is followed by additional live music in the park on some evenings between Christmas and New Year, extending the festive feeling.
Where: River Stage in the park opposite the Ocean View Hotel, Urunga
When: Saturday 20 December 2025, 6pm – 10pm
In Bellingen, the Lions Club Bellingen Christmas Carols bring the community together in Bellingen Park. Families and friends gather to sing along to favourite festive tunes, enjoy tasty food and soak up the warm, country-town atmosphere. Whether you are belting out every chorus or simply relaxing and listening, it is an easy, joyful way to share the spirit of the season.
Where: Bellingen Park (Market Park), Bellingen
When: Sunday 21 December 2025, 5pm – 8pm
Sawtell Carols by Candlelight at BIG4 Sawtell Beach Holiday Park combines coastal charm with carols under the trees. The site opens from 6:00pm so you can find your spot, Santa arrives courtesy of Sawtell Fire & Rescue 441 at 7:00pm, and carol singing begins at 7:30pm and continues until about 9:00pm. With the beach nearby and families gathered on the grass, it is pure Coffs Coast Christmas.
Where: BIG4 Sawtell Beach Holiday Park, Sawtell
When: Wednesday 17 December 2025, Site open from 6pm; Santa at 7pm; carols 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Where to find Santa
Santa keeps a very busy diary on the Coffs Coast in the lead-up to Christmas.
At Park Beach Plaza, Santa Photos at Park Beach Plaza run daily, giving families plenty of time to visit, say hello and capture those classic Christmas portraits.
Where: Park Beach Plaza, Coffs Harbour
When: Daily from 16 November to 24 December 2025
How to book: Reserve your spot now via the online booking system
In the CBD, Exclusive Christmas Photos at Coffs Central offer a more tailored experience. You can book traditional Santa photos, Santa Paws sessions so your pets can join the fun, or family portrait sessions with a festive touch.
Where: Ground floor, Gowings Coffs Central, next to Maggies Pet Co, Coffs Harbour
When: 28 November – 23 December 2025
How to book: Reserve your spot now via the online booking system
Toormina Gardens also hosts Santa in the weeks before Christmas. Standard Santa photo sessions run throughout the day, and on weekend mornings Sensory Santa sessions provide a quieter, calmer environment for children and families who benefit from a more relaxed setting.
Where: Toormina Gardens Shopping Centre, Toormina
When: 29 November – 24 December 2025
How to book: Reserve your spot now via the online booking system
Santa also makes a memorable appearance at the coast’s weekly Sunday Harbourside Markets at
the Jetty Foreshores. Santa’s Christmas Parade at Harbourside Markets sees him swapping sleigh rides for sea breezes as he joins a colourful parade along the Jetty Foreshores. Market-goers are invited to dress in their best Christmas outfits and join Santa, complete with bagpipes, drums and festive fun. Children who take part receive small gifts, and there is a prize for best dressed. After the parade there are photos with Santa, live music from The Big Big Boogie Band, a creative space for writing Christmas wish letters and colouring cards, and all the usual Harbourside Markets mix of local makers, food and chilled coastal vibes.
Where: Harbourside Markets, Coffs Harbour
When: Sunday 21 December, markets 8:00am – 2:00pm, parade from 10:00am
Movies, crafts and kids’ fun
Alongside carols and Santa photos, there are plenty of events designed to keep kids busy and add some extra sparkle to the season.
Key Community’s FREE Christmas Movie Night invites families, friends and neighbours into the Key Community Garden for an inclusive evening of festive fun. From 6:00pm there is free popcorn, face painting and fairy floss for the kids, plus a huge toy raffle packed with Christmas surprises. The Key Café serves a special menu, there is a sausage sizzle and drinks to purchase, Santa arrives at 7:00pm, and the feature movie, “The Santa Clause”, starts at 8:00pm. It feels like a relaxed neighbourhood gathering with a big dose of Christmas cheer.
Where: Key Community Garden, Coffs Harbour
When: Saturday 6 December 2025, from 6pm; Santa at 7pm; movie at 8pm
C.ex Coffs and C.ex Woolgoolga also get into the festive spirit with a run of Christmas crafts and discos that stretch across the first few weeks of December. At C.ex Coffs, kids can join a Christmas Crafts session, then come back for Christmas Discos on two separate December dates. Over at C.ex Woolgoolga, a Christmas Craft session brings the Smiley Squad into the mix, giving northern beaches families their own easy, fun way to celebrate. Together, the C.ex clubs offer a simple formula that works: craft, music, dancing and plenty of chances for kids to dress up and burn off some energy while adults enjoy a coffee or a quiet moment nearby.
Where: C.ex Coffs and C.ex Woolgoolga
When: C.ex Coffs – Christmas Crafts: Saturday 6 December, 1pm & Christmas Disco: Saturday 20 December, 1pm
C.ex Woolgoolga – Saturday 13 December, 4pm & Christmas Craft: Saturday 20 December, 4pm
The Moonee Beach Hotel Christmas Family Fun Day brings families together for a couple of hours of games and laughter. The Smiley Squad leads playground activities, mini golf and more, making it an easy outing for families who want a relaxed, kid-friendly event in the middle of the day.
Where: Moonee Beach Hotel
When: Sunday 21 December 2025, 12pm – 2pm
Markets and an easy Christmas feast
No festive season on the Coffs Coast is complete without a wander through a Christmas market. Rather than list them all here, you can explore our dedicated “Guide to Christmas Markets on the Coffs Coast”, which rounds up when and where to find local makers, festive food and unique gifts. It is the ideal starting point if you want your Christmas shopping to come with sea breezes instead of shopping centre crowds.
When it comes to food, you definitely do not have to spend Christmas in the kitchen. Many local venues offer Christmas Day dining, as well as pre-order hampers, grazing boxes, seafood platters and festive desserts. For all the details, check out our “Coffs Coast Fun Feasts” article which rounds up who’s open, who’s doing takeaway and where you can order everything you need for a no-stress Christmas spread. It is the easiest way to swap hours of cooking for more time on the sand, without missing out on a beautiful festive feast.
However you choose to celebrate, Christmas on the Coffs Coast is all about simple pleasures: mornings by the sea, evenings under the stars and plenty of chances to gather with community. From carols and Santa parades to movie nights, kids’ discos and markets, there is always something happening. That is how the Coffs Coast celebrates Christmas.