Here in the Hunter Valley we’ve decked the halls with over 4 million lights, prepped our kitchens for extravagant Christmas Lunch feasts and have the bubbles ready to pour. Here’s your extensive guide to what’s on this Christmas and New Years.
PRE-CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES
Winmark Christmas Shopping
Thursday 20th November
Winmark Wines are making Christmas shopping fun by hosting a shopping event with live music, and a glass of their new “Biosis” Sparkling Blanc de Blancs on Thursday 20th November from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. Take care of all your Christmas gifting in one evening at the Winmark Gift Store, a treasure trove of unique, high-quality gifts with something special for everyone. Forget the big retailers and embrace the joy of buying boutique and supporting local. They’ll even have a complimentary gift-wrapping service on the day. Learn more here.
Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
Friday 7th November - Monday 26th January
Experience the magic of Christmas at Hunter Valley Garden’s Christmas Lights Spectacular. Featuring over 4 million lights and illuminated attractions. Explore 8 acres of festive lights including the brand-new HO HO Harvest display and The Evergreen Tavern festive bar. Meet with Christmas characters as they wander through the gardens, jump on amusement rides and get your family santa photos. The Christmas Lights Spectacular is open from 5:30pm everyday (except Christmas Day) until the 26th January. Learn more here.
voco Kirkton Park Festive High Tea
One of the most sought after high tea experiences in the Hunter Valley is launching a special Festive High Tea available from the 3rd December. Served in a sun-filled conservatory with views overlooking the rose garden, indulge in house-baked cranberry scones with thick cream & strawberry jam, slow roast turkey with cranberry and Brie cheese sandwiches and much more for $85pp. Available 3rd December - 4th January, from 12pm-3pm. Pair with a glass of sparkling on arrival. Learn more here.
Stomp! Wines Christmas Pottery and Wine afternoon
On Saturday 6th December join Stomp! Wines at their quaint winery in Lovedale for an afternoon of crafting ceramic Christmas tree decoration in a guided workshop with a local Hunter Valley ceramists. The fun afternoon also includes tasting Stomp! Wines, festive nibbles and Christmas tunes and they encourage people to dress festively. Learn more here.
Christmas on John Street
Deck the halls, hang the stockings and get ready to rock around the Christmas tree – Christmas on John Street is back for 2025, transforming Singleton's John Street on Friday 5th December from 5.30 to 9.30pm. The street will be transformed with roving entertainers, dance groups, live music, free Santa photos, a huge range of free kids’ activities, food trucks, workshops and so much more. Retailers will also be open for late night shopping so you can check off all the items on your Christmas list and the evening will finish off with a bang with a fireworks display. Learn more here.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
Take the hassle out of Christmas lunch and book in early at one of the many restaurants open and ready to cater to your needs this Christmas day.
Rydges Resort Christmas Buffet
Well known for their buffet, join Rydges Resort Hunter Valley on the 25th of December for a special Christmas Buffet Lunch. Their team of talented chefs are preparing a mouth-watering gourmet spread of fresh seafood, traditional carvery, seasonal salads, and decadent desserts, to be enjoyed with a 3-hour beverage package. Highlights of the day also include a seafood buffet, live cooking station and live music. Learn more here.
Château Élan Christmas Lunch
Make Christmas Day unforgettable this year with a festive buffet lunch at Château Élan. With the surrounding rolling greens of the championship golf course and the charm of our elegant interiors, Château Élan is a beautiful setting to celebrate Christmas. Their Christmas Buffet lunch is set to be a crowd pleaser with the finest seasonal produce and paired with premium local wines. Learn more here.
Circa 1876 Christmas Day Lunch
Drawing inspiration from all the best Christmas recipes, Circa 1876 is set to deliver an unforgettable Christmas lunch. Their crafted menu boasts mouth-watering dishes including house-made wagyu brioche, a seafood platter, turkey ballotine and traditional Christmas pudding. Learn more here.
An Italian Christmas at eRemo
Join eRemo as they host “Avido Christmas” inspired by the warmth and generosity of an Italian feast. To give you just a taste, the mouth-watering menu includes freshly shucked oysters and Hand Tied Burrata for starters, Salt Baked Pork Belly and Duck Ragu for main and Christmas Panettone with limoncello curd and vanilla mascarpone for dessert. Full menu available online. Learn more here.
Restaurant Botanica Christmas Day Lunch
Celebrate Christmas in style at Restaurant Botanica with a festive lunch served as shared grazing platters designed to showcase the very best of the season, hosted in their elegant dining room surrounded by vineyards. Learn more here.
voco Kirkton Park Christmas Lunch
The ever-popular voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley Christmas Day feast is returning again for 2025. Enjoy seafood platters, charcuterie and carvery stations, a three-hour beverage package, live music, a visit from Santa, and more.
Christmas Lunch at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort
Celebrate Christmas in the Hunter Valley with a festive feast at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort. Their sumptuous buffet-style feast includes traditional roasts including honey-glazed ham and turkey roulade with cranberry and pistachio, a fresh seafood station with prawns and oysters shucked to order and decadent desserts including crowd-favourite pavlova and Christmas pudding with brandy anglaise. Choose to add a three-hour Valley Wine Package to enjoy a selection of local Hunter Valley wines designed to perfectly pair with your lunch.
New Year’s Celebrations
New Year’s Eve at Château Élan
Toast to 2026 in style with fine dining and bubbles at Château Élan New Year's Eve celebration. In partnership with their neighbours at Bimbadgen, they’ll be lighting up the night sky with a spectacular 9pm fireworks display to celebrate the arrival of 2026. Learn more here.
New Year’s Eve at Gather
Ring in the New Year at Gather, one of the Hunter Valley’s newest dining experiences. Enjoy a special menu, private seating, and fireworks lighting up the night sky. What more could you want? Learn more here.
New Year’s Eve at Esca Restaurant
Join the fun at Esca Restaurant for an indulgent evening of fine dining, premium wines, and celebration. Enjoy canapés and a glass of sparkling Cuvée on arrival before a specially curated three-course menu, with the option of premium wine pairings to elevate each course. Choose from two seatings (6:30pm and 7:30pm) for a celebratory dining experience before the firework display at 9pm. Dance into the New Year with a live DJ set from 9:30pm through to 12:30am. Learn more here.
This blog was created by the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association.