Embrace the northern hemisphere’s mulled wine and cheesy fondues with one of Australia’s most extravagant Christmas in July parties.
Ever wonder how hilarious you’d look in a daggy Christmas sweater? It’s time to find out. Christmas in July is an annual Australia-wide event, born out of a desire to recreate the cosy European and American festivities us southern hemispherians are starved of.
Think street markets glittering with fairy lights, boozy hot chocolate and mulled wine, ice-skating in mittens and stuffing yourself senseless with pudding rather than crustaceans.
Here, we round up the most spectacular Christmas in July celebrations to help spread mid-year Yuletide cheer across every corner of the country.
1. Xmas in July Festival, ACT
Take advantage of Canberra’s chill factor with a visit to its Xmas in July Festival, a mammoth four-day tribute to all things Christmas.
Staged at Parkes Place Lawns, the event is basically a portal into snow-dusted Europe as wood chalets, a “snow"-laced lane of real Christmas trees, firepit sessions, Christmas carollers and artisanal market stalls create a very special vibe.
Don’t miss the mulled wine garden and melting cheese stations where spicy cinnamon wine and our favourite form of dairy in glorious oozy goodness will set the mood further. Entry is free.
Dates: 27–30 June
Address: Parkes Place Lawns, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
2. Frosted – A Winter Spectacular, Vic
Got the kids in tow and two hours up your sleeve? Plunge you and your little ones right into a winter wonderland at Frosted – A Winter Spectacular, where two-hour sessions grant you access to a field of artificial snow, cookie decorating, Christmas carolling and storytelling, Christmas arts and crafts, meet and greets with Frosty the Snowman, ice skating, tobogganing and more.
Located in Narre Warren, about a 40-minute drive south-east from Melbourne’s CBD, the Christmas in July event sparks glee no matter your age. Tickets start from $32.50 per person.
Dates: 21 June – 21 July
Address: Under the Big Top, corner Princess Highway and Brechin Drive, Narre Warren
3. Christmas in July – Food, Wine and a Film Festival, NSW
Toast the silly season with a screening of a Christmas classic at Manly Open Air Cinema on Sydney’s northern beaches. For three days only, the annual event will stage Christmas in July – Food, Wine and a Film Festival, which delivers mulled wine, live music, European-inspired dining and even a Northern Lights display that promises to honour the real thing in sensational style. Films include Elf and Home Alone. Tickets start from $15 per person.
Date: 5–7 July
Address: Manly Oval, Sydney Road and Belgrave Street, Manly
4. Christmas in July Extravaganza, Tas
An actual white Christmas without your passport? Book your spot at Ben Lomond Alpine Resort’s Christmas in July Extravaganza in Tasmania.
The Ben Lomond Base, at the foot of the mountain, will morph into something out of a fairytale as an artisanal market, Christmas carolling and other live music and workshops including gingerbread house-making, light up the ski destination. Tickets start from $25 per person.
Date: 6 July
Address: Ben Lomond Base, 3420 Blessington Road, Upper Blessington
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5. Christmas in July at The Arbory Bar & Eatery, Vic
A relentless good time right on Melbourne’s Yarra River, at Southbank, The Arbory Bar & Eatery is putting on its much-loved Christmas in July event once again. Joining forces with Four Pillars Gin, so you know the drinks will shine, the team is set to deliver a four-course feast paired with delicious cocktails.
Expect a whole lot of merriment as hosts talk guests through each of the creative masterstrokes rolling out of the kitchen. Tickets cost $125 per person.
Date: 24 July
Address: The Arbory Bar & Eatery, 1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne
6. Festive High Tea, Qld
Throw your pinkies in the air for the Gold Coast’s Festive High Tea at Aviary Rooftop Bar.
One of the venue’s three Christmas in July events, the lavish dining experience will see towers stacked with fruit mince tarts, Christmas pudding, gingerbread, turkey, cranberry and camembert croissants, mac and cheese croquettes and more.
Wash the festivities down with mulled wine and a fancy Christmas-inspired cocktail and you can upgrade your afternoon out with a bonus keepsake mug. Tickets start from $59 per person.
Date: 7 July
Address: Aviary Rooftop Bar at the Southport Sharks Precinct, 5 Melia Court, Southport
7. Christmas in July steam trip, Tas
Get the good times rolling well before December with the West Coast Wilderness Railway in Tasmania’s West Coast.
Guests are invited to mark Christmas in July onboard the Lynchford Express, a historic steam train, for a 20-minute ride through the lush suburb of Queenstown as stations sparkle thanks to Christmas decorations, and nibbles and mulled wine flow.
Date: 1–21 July
Address: Driffield Street, Queenstown
8. Christmas in July Dinner and Show, WA
A sucker for Christmas songs any time of the year? Sign up to top-tap to classics like Jingle Bell Rock and Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas at one helluva Christmas in July event in Fremantle.
Staged at the historical Old Courthouse pub, the Christmas in July Dinner and Show will feature a three-course meal, a performance by Perth jazz singer Earl Cole, who’s committed to belting out a bunch of hits, and mulled wine.
Go in your wackiest Christmas sweater and you may even win a prize. Tickets cost $85 per person.
Date: 20 July
Address: Old Courthouse, 45 Henderson Street, Fremantle
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9. Christmas in July at SkyCity, SA
Swap the dorky sweater for your finest Black Tie threads at Adelaide’s Christmas in July at SkyCity event. Over four hours, you’ll be treated to sensational ear candy thanks to a chamber ensemble performance from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, while a seafood station, two-course sit-down meal, dessert station and free flowing drinks will keep spirits soaring.
Tickets cost $199 per person and 20 per cent of ticket sales will be donated to the Childhood Cancer Association, the charity partner for this event.
Date: 19 July
Address: SkyCity Adelaide Ballroom, 25 North Terrace, Adelaide
10. Christmas in July at The Greens, NSW
Grab your favourites and make the most of The Greens’ Christmas in July festivities in Sydney’s North Sydney. Sure, it’s yet another pub getting into the theme, but this stellar destination is also offering DIY S’mores boxes to heat over firepits during its month-long celebration.
If you’ve got a group of four or more, we recommend booking the two or three-course set menu from $45 per person, which includes a drink on arrival, bon bons at your table and a traditional Christmas dinner.
Date: 1–31 July
Address: The Greens, 50 Ridge Street, North Sydney
11. Yulefest, NSW
The Aussie tradition of Christmas in July originated at Hotel Mountain Heritage in NSW’s Blue Mountains, so the story goes. According to staff, a group of Irish travellers visited the hotel in the 80s and convinced one of the managers to put on a Christmas dinner in July.
The tradition, now known as Yulefest, has continued every year beyond as the Blue Mountains community comes together for various events. It’s arguably best marked every Saturday night during the month at this hotel where you can expect a seven-course degustation, live performances and even a visit from Santa. Prices start from $180 per adult.
Dates: Saturday 6, 13, 20 and 27 July
Address: Hotel Mountain Heritage, 6/10 Apex Street, Katoomba
12. Christmas in July cruise, SA
Ready for something extraordinary? Jump onboard a Christmas in July cruise of the Murray River to spy some of South Australia’s most wonderful sights. You’ll spend three nights on the Murray Princess where traditional Christmas lunches, dinners and sweets will be served, carols will be sung, performances will dial up festivities and pitstops at destinations including Hahndorf, famed for its German roots, will delight.
Opt in to further nights afloat if you’re a Christmas superfan (or just can’t get enough of cruising). Prices start from $1299 per person, twin share, for three nights.
Date: Various Mondays and Fridays in July, so check the website for specific dates
Address: Departing from Mannum, on the west bank of the Murray River, SA
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