The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney is set to transform St Mary’s Cathedral forecourt with the largest and most impressive Christmas at the Cathedral celebration to date.
Starting Thursday, 12 December and running right up until Christmas Day, this year’s Christmas at the Cathedral theme will focus on A Christmas Carol, the classic Charles Dickens tale. Once again, the Cathedral forecourt will come alive with Christmas market stalls, live musical acts and activities in the special, free family event open to everyone.
The Cathedral will also be open each night to the public until the extended time of 10pm, with traditional Christmas displays, including a holy nativity scene, towering real Christmas tree and displays telling the iconic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, his haunting and redemption.
For the first time, the stunning light shows and projections will also move to be displayed on both the main, and western side entrance of the Cathedral, giving visitors even more to see.
Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev. Anthony Fisher OP hopes the celebrations will bring crowds from around the country to celebrate the joy of Christmas.
“Christmas at the Cathedral is the largest and most spectacular free Christmas event in Australia, and all people are welcome.
“Attending this event is a wonderful evening to spend with your family. I invite each and every one of you to visit St Mary’s to share in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour.
St Mary’s Cathedral is not only Australia’s mother church, but also one of the top tourist attractions in Sydney, with Christmas at the Cathedral now established as one of the country’s most loved annual Christmas displays.
“Our Cathedral is Australia’s most sacred place of prayer and worship and has been at the heart of our city for 200 years. We’re delighted to welcome the people of Sydney and beyond to come and celebrate Christmas with us,” Archbishop Fisher said.
Returning for their third year to create the inspiring light shows and designs is Australian company, The Electric Canvas, the same team responsible for delivering world-class displays at events such as VIVID Sydney and the Melbourne International Arts Festival.
The Electric Canvas Managing Director Peter Milne celebrating the collaboration as a gift to all of Sydney.
“It’s turned into a major Christmas festival, in the city of Sydney. For our part, mapping the magnificent façade of the cathedral is just a joy. It’s such a beautiful, example of its kind of architecture in the city, and we just love working with it.”
Elevating the illumination to a new level, this year’s display will also have a narration to recount the classic Dickens tale.
“We put a great deal of effort into soundtrack as well, It’s not just projection. It’s an immersive experience, a theatrical experience for the people that come here,” Mr Milne said.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney also expressly thanks our sponsors, presenting partner, Deicorp as well as the NSW Government.
With thanks to Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.
