Christmas can be the most expensive time of the year, with Australians set to spend $8.3 billion on Christmas presents this festive period. That's a mountain of money – the average adult will spend close to $500 to ensure that their Christmas tree is well stocked come December 25. With most wallets taking a bit of a bashing this Yuletide, we at East Coast Car Rentals have found several things for you to see and do in Sydney without breaking the bank, so hire a vehicle with us and keep your money in your pocket.

Christmas in Sydney

There are a multitude of frugal festive events going down in Sydney this Christmas time. The Lights of Christmas show at St. Mary's Cathedral is a wondrous spectacle, beginning with a choir performance before the main event begins – a projection of beautiful images, colours and patterns onto the walls of the ornate facade, lasting throughout the night. The show takes place every night, right up to Christmas Day itself.

For something a little different, take a walk to Pitt Street Mall. You'll find an enormous Christmas tree, but without any real wood or foliage to be seen – it's made entirely out of Lego blocks. The tallest Lego tree in the Southern Hemisphere, it's adorned with brick candy canes, a beach boy Santa and is topped by a huge Lego star. The Lego Christmas Tree is enhanced by a charming light show each evening, accompanied by traditional Christmas carols.

If you fancy a Yuletide boogie, head towards Martin Place, where the promenade has been tran​sformed into something akin to a 1970s discotheque. Mirror-like banners have been fitted throughout the area, shimmering like the classic shiny disco ball and causing many a visitor to move their feet and get on down. All you need now is an appearance from disco pioneers Boney M to make your toe-tapping evening complete, but don't hold your breath!

36 Hour Seafood Marathon

Seafood may not be a traditional Christmas meal, but that hasn't stopped the Sydney Fish Market putting on the annual 36 Hour Seafood Marathon. From 5 a.m. on 23 December, right through to 5 p.m. Christmas Eve, the stalls of the Fish Market will be open, giving you the perfect chance to fill your freezer with something fishy this Yuletide. Aside from the fresh fish caught straight from the ocean, there are also a range of fine meats, fruit and vegetables and local produce on offer, many at discounted prices – you could even try your luck at the frantic auction!

New Year's Eve in Sydney

Once Christmas 2014 is but a memory, prepare yourself for New Year's Eve in Australia's biggest city. According to the City of Sydney, 1.6 million people descend on the Harbour Foreshore, in the shadow of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, to watch the two magnificent fireworks displays on the final night of the year. That's in addition to the 2.3 million watching at home on their television sets, with a staggering 1 billion watching worldwide. What's more, it's totally free.