November 07, 2022

Why Australians Celebrate Christmas In July

Ever found yourself dreaming of roast dinners, open fires and hot mulled wine in the middle of an Australian summer? You're not alone. Christmas in July — also known as Yuletide or Yulefest — has become one of our favourite excuses to celebrate the festive season twice a year. Here's the story behind our mid-year Christmas tradition, plus how to make the most of it.

What Is Christmas in July?

Christmas in July is an unofficial celebration held during the Australian winter, most commonly on or around 25 July. It brings all the trimmings of a traditional European Christmas — hot roasts, mulled wine, crackling fires and cosy decorations — to a time of year when the weather actually suits them. It's not a public holiday and it doesn't replace the real thing on 25 December. Think of it as a bonus celebration that has grown steadily more popular with Australian families, pubs, restaurants and workplaces every year.

Why Do Australians Celebrate It?

It all comes down to our upside-down seasons. Christmas carols talk about snow, sleigh bells and frosty windows, but December in Australia lands right in the middle of summer. Instead of dreaming of a white Christmas, we're heading to the beach, firing up the barbecue and cranking the air conditioning.

July, on the other hand, is the coldest month of the Australian year. Short days, chilly nights and — in our alpine regions — even genuine snow make it the perfect time to enjoy the wintry side of Christmas we all know from the movies. If you want the full European Christmas experience, July is your window.

The tradition took off in the 1980s, when alpine lodges and pubs in the Blue Mountains and Snowy Mountains began hosting mid-winter "Yulefest" dinners. From those cosy beginnings it has spread across the country as a much-loved excuse for a long lunch with all the festive trimmings.

How Australians Celebrate Christmas in July

Festive Decorations Everywhere

Just like in December, Christmas in July celebrations come alive with festive decorations. Think sparkling Christmas lights, wreaths and garlands on the door, and tables dressed with baubles and candles. Because it's dark by 5:30pm in July, the lights somehow feel even more magical.

Feasts, Family and Friends

Food is the heart of the celebration. Roast turkey, ham or lamb with all the trimmings, steaming Christmas puddings, warm gingerbread and mulled wine appear on tables around the country — exactly the comfort food we tend to skip during a 35-degree Christmas Day.

Workplace and Community Events

Many businesses embrace the occasion too, hosting mid-year parties, gift exchanges and trivia nights to shake off the winter blues and boost team morale mid-year. Community groups, schools and charities also use it as a chance to gather when the social calendar is otherwise quiet.

Do You Give Presents for Christmas in July?

Gift-giving is completely optional. Most families treat it as a themed dinner party rather than a second full gift exchange, although Kris Kringle-style games between friends or workmates are common. If you're invited to one, a small festive gift or a set of decorations always goes down a treat.

Plan Your Christmas in July Celebrations

Whether it's an intimate family dinner or a full winter feast for thirty, Christmas World has everything you need — from decorations and table settings to indoor and outdoor lights. Our Christmas in July sale is the perfect time to stock up on festive essentials at mid-year prices, and everything ships Australia-wide from our Sydney warehouses.

Frequently Asked Questions — Christmas in July

Why do Australians celebrate Christmas in July?

Because December is summer in Australia, the traditional wintry Christmas experience is impossible then. July — the coldest Australian month — lets families enjoy roasts, log fires and all the cosy traditions of a classic European Christmas.