The QVB will this year dazzle Christmas shoppers with the installation of the largest indoor Christmas tree in the world, designed by Chas Clarkson and adorned with Swarovski crystals.

With 18 months in planning and over 40 hours to install and decorate, the tree is covered with thousands of Swarovski crystals and 60,000 lights. The tree will sparkle throughout the festive season and was made possible by a team of designers, thirty-five decorators, twenty construction technicians and a number of engineers, lighting consultants and crystal makers from both Australia and Austria. Their dedication and hard work has brought forth a striking combination of art, science and technology. 

"The QVB is a much loved Sydney jewel and it would be disrespectful for us not to create a beautiful and monumental tree for the festive season ahead. The use of delicate crystal chandeliers rather than traditional Christmas baubles will captivate the people of Sydney leaving them feeling astonished and amazed by what they see", said Tim Clarkson, Managing Director of Chas Clarkson - specialists in Christmas lighting and display.  

"We have been part of the QVB's Christmas celebrations for several years now and we are so very proud to be involved again this year with such an iconic shopping destination" said Swarovski. 
Furthermore, the largest star ever to sparkle on the QVB Christmas Tree, the Swarovski Star, glistens with more than 144,000 crystals and is a fitting tribute to the centre which recently underwent a $48 million restoration and refurbishment. 

The QVB and Swarovski are also giving a helping hand to charity this Christmas. From every Swarovski Christmas Star Ornament Annual Edition 2009 sold for $130 in the QVB Swarovski store, the QVB will donate $30 to the Starlight Children's Foundation. 

The Starlight Children's Foundation brightens the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children and their families throughout Australia, whereby programs are delivered both in and out of hospital, providing positive activities to children in their time of need.

The tree will not be the only thing dazzling visitors over the Christmas period, with the centre welcoming the Australian Girls Choir who will be performing classic Christmas carols on various levels on December 20th - 23rd from noon until 2pm. Since its inception in 1984, the Australian Girls Choir have performed with a long list of outstanding artists and personalities from the entertainment world. Best recognised for its involvement in the Qantas 'I Still Call Australia Home' advertising campaign, the choir has sung at almost every major concert venue in the country.

The Neilsen Gough Jazz Band is also set to bring this majestic building to festive life with passionate and soulful melodies with performances throughout December on Thursday 17th from 5 - 8pm, Saturday 19th from 12 - 3pm and Thursday 24th 12 - 3pm. Neilsen is one of Sydney's most respected jazz musicians having made television appearances and been invited to play in countless festivals, concert halls, private concerts and corporate functions all over the world.