As much of the world swelters through peak summer in July, Australia finds itself in the depths of winter — and increasingly, in the midst of a festive celebration that feels delightfully out of sync with the calendar. Across the country, residents are decking the halls, donning ugly Christmas sweaters, and serving up roast dinners with all the trimmings, all in the name of “Christmas in July.”
Once a quirky tradition confined to a single snowy evening in a rundown hotel, Christmas in July has grown into a widely embraced celebration throughout Australia and even spilled across borders to New Zealand — and beyond. Its origins, at least in its Australian form, are credited to Garry Crockett, the then-owner of the Mountain Heritage hotel in Katoomba. On a cold night in 1980, a group of Irish guests feeling nostalgic for a wintry Christmas prompted Crockett to stage a festive meal complete with decorations, traditional roasts, and even a hidden coin in the plum pudding.
“It was a hoot of a time,” recalls Crockett, now 76. What began as a spontaneous celebration soon became an annual tradition at the hotel, attracting guests from across Asia and gradually influencing festivities nationwide. Despite some initial objections from local churches, the concept snowballed into a cherished mid-year ritual.
The appeal lies partly in the novelty of experiencing a “true” winter Christmas — something that escapes Australians in the usual December heat. For people like Newcastle resident Joshua Robb, who recently spent a week crafting a six-course Christmas meal for friends, the celebration is about embracing traditions Australians typically see only in films or hear about from colder climates. His table featured Christmas crackers and menus printed with holly motifs, while he and his guests wore thick sweaters that would be unbearable in a 45°C summer.
For Filipino-Australian Neil Ferro, the occasion is simply a way to bring warmth and joy into a cold winter month. Hosting a vegan dinner party for friends, he says it’s just become “something people do in Australia,” a welcome celebration to break the mid-winter monotony.
The commercial sector has caught on too. In Sydney’s historic Rocks precinct, fake snow drifts through the air as Christmas markets light up cobblestone alleyways. Timber huts imported from Strasbourg house food stalls serving mulled wine, toasted marshmallows, and raclette cheese, bringing a European charm to the southern hemisphere. The event was the brainchild of Vincent Hernandez, who moved from Paris to Sydney and wanted to recreate the festive winter atmosphere of his hometown’s markets.
Even Christmas tree farms like the one run by Leo Damasi are feeling the impact, with July sales becoming a lucrative extension of the traditional December rush. Fast food giant KFC has also joined the trend, releasing holiday-themed offerings to mark the season.
Yet, for many like Crockett, the core of Christmas in July is about more than feasting and festivities. “It’s about friendship, love, connection — the exact opposite of commercial,” he says. With December often weighed down by heat, stress, and social obligations, July offers a chance to slow down, gather by a log fire, and celebrate with chosen company rather than obligatory gatherings.
In the end, it’s this sentiment that has helped Christmas in July transform from an offbeat idea into one of Australia’s most beloved wintertime traditions — offering not only the joy of celebration, but the rare opportunity to do it twice a year.
