From festive artisan food to carols, gifts, fresh produce, gourmet treats, Santa Claus, retro fashion gifts, arts and crafts, children's stocking fillers, and festival local cheer, Sydney Christmas Markets offer all that the holiday season can afford.

Whether you are haven't done your Christmas shopping yet and are looking for special handicrafts, or you want to indulge yourself in festive gourmet treats or just enjoy a time out with your family and friends, you'll be spoilt for choice in the city. Jingle all the way through Sydney's top Christmas markets.

Lindesay Christmas Gift Fair

Held in a majestic Georgian house - Lindesay - this three-day annual market is the place to shop for unique boutique Christmas gifts. From arts and crafts, fashion and children's stocking fillers, you name it, they've got it. Shop till you drop surrounded by old-fashioned interiors and and period furniture. Indulge yourself in delectable treats from the stop kitchen and servants quarters as you enjoy the view of the Sydney Harbour.

Upcoming Dates:

17 Nov 2016 10:00 am — 4:00 pm

18 Nov 2016 10:00 am — 4:00 pm

19 Nov 2016 10:00 am — 4:00 pm

Eryldene Christmas Fair

With over 50 quirky stallholders, the Eryldene heritage home in Gordon offers a unique Christmas shopping experience. A visit to its famous garden and the open house tour of the Historic Houses Trust property are the perfect addition to a the festive shopping day.

Upcoming Dates:

Eryldene Christmas Fair Saturday & Sunday 26 & 27 November 2016

Round She Goes

If you are a vintage and retro fashion lover, this is the market to do your Christmas shopping. Located in Marrickville Town Hall here you can find a gift for anyone of your family and friends and, of course, for yourself. From frocks and bags, brooches and buttons and plenty of bargains, you'll be spoilt for choice. At Round She Goes events and on the online marketplace, you can shop for preloved designer labels and quality vintage clothing, accessories and jewellery.

Upcoming Dates:

12 November 2016, Central Coast Christmas Fair

If you happen to be around Sydney with your family during the holiday season, this is an unmissable family Christmas event. Widely known amongst locals, here you can choose from over 150 gift stalls, and even grab your fresh Christmas tree from the Rotary stall. Activities for the kids also abound. Enjoy your shopping while your kids are jolly getting pictures with Santa, going on rides or enjoying puppet shows and performances all day long. The Central Coast's favourite Christmas event returns to the beautiful waterside tranquil location of Mount Penang Gardens. You can enjoy the Coast's largest free outdoor Christmas shopping experience on the water in a relaxing environment with plenty of free parking.Now in its ninth year, the event features over 160 hand-picked, high-quality local arts and crafts stalls, international food zones and fresh seasonal produce areas, puddings, and delicious cakes. Santa will be there too and you can take photos with him on the water!

Upcoming Dates:

Sunday 4th December 2016, 9am-2pm The Beaches Christmas Market

With over 100 producers offering a variety of the most delicious goods available, this is the market to stock up on farm fresh produce and gourmet treats. Apart from the delicious food, you can also find genuine artisan stalls and heaps of family friendly activities. Currently their most updated page is their Facebook page.

Upcoming Dates:

Sat 17 December 2016, 9am-3pm

Every year the world's top adrenaline-fuelled athletes converge at the birthplace of professional surfing, Manly Beach, Sydney, for the country's fiercest surf, skate and music event - The Australian Open of Surfing.

Over this nine-day event, the world's greatest surfers will ride the waves like mythical creatures and bring Manly Beach, Sydney's premier beach side destination, to life. Attendees will be able to be mesmerised by an exciting mix of athletes competing in QS6000 men's and women's WSL-sanctioned surf contests, two men's and women's world junior star-events.

The world-class skateboarding won't disappoint. Be ready to be impressed by the jumps and turns of the incredible skaters as cool music plays in the background.

After enjoying the glorious Australian sun, hopefully with lots of sunscreen on, the sand and the waves, head to the stage in the evening to enjoy live music. You can also take pleasure in art and fashion. And it's all free.

Everyone will come together to celebrate youth culture, innovation and athleticism at Manly Beach. There's plenty of things to see and do at Manly Beach. Indulge in over 40 activities and beaches, 130 bars, restaurants and cafes or explore over 200 shops and stores. As you stroll down sidewalk you'll be able to get an iced coffee, smoothie or win a jet ski from one of the countless stalls that line the beach.

Surfing, skateboarding, art and Channel V concerts attract more than 160,000 people every year. You can get there by ferry from Sydney Circular Quay.

The Hurley Australian Open of Surfing is an extension of the world's largest action sports festival, the US Open of Surfing. This annual event is owned and produce by IMG and is held at Huntington Beach, California. The event aims at celebrating inclusion and creativity while inspiring the next generation of athletes and artists.

This year it runs from 25th Feb to 5th March, 2017. While waiting check out some cool surf pics from Bali on Wavedog.

Right before you land in Australia, the flight crew shows you an image warning you that there are over 1000 species in Australia that can kill you in a matter of seconds, yet the country is still one of the world's top destination. So there must be a reason why. It might not sound safe, but surely it is so, so don't let this article dissuade you from travelling Down Under, characterised by an undeniably bizarre nature. And there are also some shocking facts that seem to be taken from a science fiction film about this wonderful land you are about to learn.

Far North Queensland's rainforests host a neurotoxic stinging tree that feels like electrocuted and burnt with hot acid at the same time, leading to months of excruciating. But don't stress, if you find yourself in Far North Queensland, you'll find signs warning you of the stinging tree that can cause severe pain and distress, advising you to see immediate medical attention if stung. Dial 000.

Irukandji might be the size of a $2 coin, but it's venom is 100 times more potent than cobra venom. Not looking so insignificant now, is it?

Try not to lose an eye in Australia - literally. The fact is that every year some unfortunate person loses an eye to one of Australia's most dangerous predators - the magpie.

Originally, Australia's cyclones were named after politicians a weatherman disliked. Consequently, he could report that the pollies were causing great distress or wandering aimlessly about the Pacific.

Have you watched the film thunderbirds? Well, this is nothing like it. Just imagine that giant thunderbirds roamed Australia as recently as 15,000 years ago. It's like being closer to the film Jurassic Park.

With over 10,685, you could visit a new beach in Australia every day for more than 29 years.

Undeniable the force is in Australia with 65,486 Jedi (including Jedi Knights, Padawan and Sith Lords), which makes Jedi the 18th biggest religion in Australia.

In Australia, they like their happy drinks, and animals are no exception. In 2013, a feral pig stole 18 beers from campers, got drunk and started a fight with a cow.

Alcohol also plays a part in Australia's History. For instance, rum was the main currency in colonial Australia. When Gov. William Bligh tried to end the army officers' monopoly in 1808, his government was overthrown in the only coup in Australian history.

From film to comedy festivals, Oktoberfest and yoga fairs, events in Brisbane caters to every crazy all year long.

Ocean Film Festival Australia

Showcasing the world's best ocean cinematography from above and below the surface, this festival is a must for ocean lovers. Get ready to be fascinated by fascinating underwater scenes and fast-paced sequences, along with spellbinding and breathtaking footage from above the surface. The cost for adults is £30, child $22 and group tickets are $25.50 per person.

Brisbane Comedy Festival

Who is up for a laugh? Each year Brisbane Comedy Festival gathers dozens of international and Australian comedians for a night full of giggles and chuckles. With sarcasm, dark and silly humour, comedians are all set to crack you up.

Sail Festival

The Easter Bunny goes nautical for a colourful seaside celebration in Brisbane. With hundreds of markets lining up the beautiful foreshores of Suttons Beach, you'll be spoilt for choice. Treat yourself to some delicious snacks while you enjoy the stage entertainment or get on rides. There are also kids workshops for the little ones in this festival that takes place early April.

Illuminations Festival

Colourful lanterns, projections and illuminations display will bring the foreshore alongside the Wynnum wading pool and jetty to life in a a festival like no other. Designed to thrill your senses, the light show is accompanied by fire twirlers, street entertainers, a day/twilight market and music entertaining visitors over the winter solstice weekend. The event is culminated by a street lantern parade and local artwork based on the theme of Illuminations.

School Fete

Offering rides, homemade products, face painting, school based performances, entertainment and other activities, this festival is designed to make the whole family happy.

YogaFest

With a large diversity of Yoga workshops, style presentations, Chinese Medicine, dance, massage and plenty more activities, this festival is a must for Yoga aficionados.

Oktoberfest Brisbane

There may be countless Oktoberfest spin-offs around the world, but Brisbane's German Festival has its own identity and taste. From mouthwatering German sausages to pork knuckles, schnitzels and pretzels, desserts - including the black forest cake, Bavarian cheesecakes and apple strudels- the cultural event is sure to delight your palate. Yet no Oktoberfest celebration is complete without the drink that started this tradition - beer! Make sure you sip on some of the handcrafted beers on offer while you dance or enjoy the performances and entertainment through the festival