While much of the world is enjoying summer in July, Australians are pulling on their woolly jumpers, roasting turkeys, and singing carols. Why? Because for many, July means one thing: Christmas – again.
A Winter Tradition Born from Nostalgia
Legend has it that Christmas in July began in 1980 when six homesick Irishmen walked into a chilly Katoomba hotel in New South Wales. Garry Crockett, the hotel manager, offered to recreate a traditional Christmas for them – complete with decorations, roast dinners, and plum pudding.
“It was a hoot of a time,” Garry recalls. From that night on, it became an annual event. Soon, people from around the world – including Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia – began flocking to the Mountain Heritage Hotel to take part.
Despite some early pushback from churches, the tradition spread rapidly across Australia – and even crossed the Tasman to New Zealand. In recent years, events have popped up as far away as Santa Monica Pier in California, where Australians abroad celebrate the festive season Aussie-style with prawn cocktails and lamingtons.
A Chance to Embrace the Cold
Unlike December’s sweltering summer, July’s chill brings a more “authentic” Christmas feel – the kind many Australians have only seen in movies.
“I’d celebrate it ten times a year if I could,” says Joshua Robb, a self-declared Christmas fanatic from Newcastle, who hosts a six-course winter feast for friends. “This is our chance to wear ugly sweaters, cook roasts, and pull crackers without melting.”
Filipino-Australian Neil Ferro agrees: “It just feels more Christmassy when it’s cold.” For him, Christmas in July is less about tradition and more about bringing people together during the bleakest month of winter.
Festivals, Markets, and Mulled Wine
In Sydney’s historic Rocks precinct, cobblestone streets are transformed into a European-style winter market, complete with wooden chalets, fake snow, mulled wine, and raclette cheese.
Vincent Hernandez, who launched the event in 2018, says he wanted to recreate the atmosphere of the Christmas markets in his hometown of Paris. He even imported timber huts from Strasbourg and sourced local Christmas trees.
“It’s growing every year,” says Leo Damasi, the Christmas tree farmer who supplies the event. “Now we have two peak seasons – July and December.”
More Than Just a Gimmick
Even big brands like KFC are cashing in, but Garry Crockett believes the heart of the holiday still shines through:
“It’s about love, friendship, and connection – not just consumerism.”
In fact, he says, Christmas in July might even be better than the real thing: no overwhelming heat, no last-minute shopping stress, just a cozy fire, good food, and chosen company.
