Build a snowman, ice skate, be mesmerised by the enchanting Frozen Forest and go straight to the top of the Ferris Wheel at Sydney’s coolest (child friendly) winter festival ever! Are we there yet?!
This winter, school holidays are going to be awesome! Grab the kids and head to Darling Harbour’s hugely popular Cool Yule 2015 for wicked family fun from Saturday 27 June – Sunday 12 July (inclusive).
Check out my must-do activity list – if the kids are well-behaved, I might let them come too…
Get Your Skates On
Ice, ice, baby! Do the skatey-180 (with a Penguin skate aide if you’re wobbly on the feet) and learn the snow-plough stop (fast!) in the open air ice-skating. Take a spin past the snow machine and catch some real snow and for a really valuable life lesson, show the kid’s that adults land on their backsides too sometimes! The Cool Yule Ice Rink at Darling Harbour’s Palm Grove operates daily. Tip: Book tickets prior and pack two pairs of thick socks to wear while skates to avoid blisters (and clothes if your kids go for a sixer!). Costs: Adult, $22, kids, $10-$16 per child, including skate-hire.
Be Mesmerised By The Graceful Ice-Skaters
Spins, toe-jumps and ice dancing… watch the grace and skill of champion ice-skaters, led by Winter Olympian Liz Cain, at the Stars on Ice 15-minute shows at The Cool Yule Ice Rink at 12.45pm Monday to Friday and 5.45pm Friday and Saturday. Free.
Do A 360 on The Ferris Wheel
Take the kids to new heights on the enchanting Ferris wheel ride and see Sydney’s spectacular sites birdy-style. Cost: $8.00 per ticket or $30.00 for four riders. Located at the Harbourside Amphitheatre.
Build Frosty In The Snow Pit
Do you want to build a snowman?Or make white fluffy angles? Children will have a (snow) ball playing in The Cool Yule Snow Pit. The frosty fun session costs $7.50 per person for 20 minutes. Tip: Pack snow gloves so you’re better equipped to make heavy duty snowballs faster – and book your tickets before you go.
Slip & Slide Down Everest
OK it’s not really Everest, but ‘knee-high’ kids will think it is! The inflatable Cool Yule Slide (under Pyrmont Bridge near SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium) is awesome vertical fun! Pull up some rubber (a tube) and double dink your littleone’s down the slide. Hold on tight! Cost: Free.
Tell Tales and Share Stories
All that action might require some passive play, so pull up a patch at the Lost and Found Storytelling or watch the activities at Monkey Baa Theatre at Darling Quarter while the family recoups for the next winter activity. Cost: Free.
Sing Like Elsa & Anna
Little divas and entertainers will love Disney’s Frozen Live Karaoke Experience, Face Painting and Balloon Modelling at Harbourside Shopping Centre. Free.
Frolic In The Frozen Forest
Just as enchanting as the movie, the Frozen Forest is magically lit up with more than 100 glistening white Christmas trees with stunning special effect lighting, sound and even falling snow. Free.
Explore the Amazing Antarctic
Amazing Antarctic Adventures will be presented at the Australian National Maritime Museum, with a glow-in-the-dark treasure hunt, craft workshops and even a hands-on TV presenting course for your little personalities from an imagined Antarctica!
Light Up Their World
It wouldn’t be a Sydney Winter Festival without incredible light shows and fireworks, now would it? Fabulous and free Frosty Fireworks illuminate the sky every Saturday night, along with the Giant Snowflake and a range of other cool light displays located around Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay. Free.
Visit darlingharbour.com for details and to book tickets.
Are you going to the Cool Yule Winter Festival? Tell us below…
