Damon Mcknight
Christmas is celebrated in Australia, but as it falls during the summer season, the traditions and activities are quite different from those in the Northern Hemisphere. Australians embrace the warm weather with outdoor parties, beach trips, and barbecues. They also enjoy outdoor activities like cricket and swimming. While winter iconography is still prevalent, Australians have developed unique traditions, such as Carols by Candlelight, a concert that began in Melbourne and spread worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 25th of December |
| Season | Summer |
| Food | Seafood barbecue, glazed ham, trifle, prawn cocktails, lamingtons, roast turkey, salads, dipping sauces |
| Activities | Outdoor activities, street parties, swimming, cricket, picnics, fireworks, visiting Santa at the mall, community events, outdoor cinemas, Christmas markets |
| Decorations | Christmas trees, fairy lights, ornaments, fake snow, the Christmas star |
| Music | Carols by Candlelight |
| Television | Reruns of Christmas-themed films |
| Cards | Widely practised |
| Stamps | Lower price for Christmas cards |
| Holidays | Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Proclamation Day (South Australia) |
| Parties | Christmas parties, New Year's Eve parties, Twelfth Night party |
| Gifts | Stockings full of presents |
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What You'll Learn
Summer Christmas
Christmas in Australia is a unique affair, falling during the summer months. This means that the traditional winter iconography of Christmas from the Northern Hemisphere is flipped on its head, with Santa Claus arriving by boat or surfboard, or pulled by six kangaroos!
The warm weather lends itself to outdoor activities, with many Australians heading to the beach or going swimming on Christmas Day. It is also common to spend the day at the park, having picnics, or even dipping into the sea. Australians love to celebrate with a barbecue, with seafood, fish, and shrimp on the menu, alongside grilled prawns, oysters, and fish served with fresh salads and dipping sauces.
In the lead-up to Christmas, many businesses and houses are decorated with Christmas lights and displays, with some homeowners opting for elaborate setups with hundreds of lights and decorations. Australians also send Christmas cards, with the price of a Christmas postage stamp being lower than that of a standard letter.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are public holidays in Australia, with many workplaces completely closing down for the period. This effectively makes the Christmas party an end-of-year celebration, with little to no reference to Christmas itself. Schools and universities also break for the summer holidays, typically ending in the week before Christmas and recommencing in late January or early February.
Australians also celebrate "Christmas in July", a tradition that began in the 1980s when a group of Irishmen became homesick for a winter Christmas. This mid-year celebration allows Australians to experience a more traditional winter-style Christmas with roast meats, mulled wine, and festive decorations.
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Christmas in July
The exact details of how it began are a bit hazy, but it is believed to have started in Garry Crockett's Mountain Heritage hotel in 1980. On a cold July evening, Crockett decorated his hotel with tinsel and baubles, dusted off a Christmas tree, and served a festive meal to a group of homesick Irishmen. The menu likely included pumpkin soup, a medley of beef, turkey, and pork roasts, and a plum pudding with a hidden coin, a nod to British tradition.
Since its humble beginnings, Christmas in July has become a beloved Australian tradition. It is a time for people to host parties, don ugly sweaters, and serve up festive feasts. Pubs, restaurants, and cafes get involved, offering special menus and decorations. Even KFC has jumped on the trend! People also enjoy winter activities such as bushwalking in national parks or attending winter festivals.
So, whether you're in Australia or abroad, don your festive attire, crack open the eggnog, and join in the unique and joyful tradition of Christmas in July!
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Christmas traditions
Australians also love their Christmas decorations. The traditional Christmas tree is central to Christmas decorations, and strings of lights and tinsel are standard. Many homeowners decorate the exterior of their houses with hundreds of lights and decorations depicting seasonal motifs such as Christmas trees and Santa Claus. Christmas trees are often decorated with fake snow, fairy lights, ornaments, and a special decoration called the Christmas star, which is placed on top of the tree.
Australians also celebrate Christmas in July, a tradition that began in the 1980s when a group of Irishmen became homesick for a winter Christmas. This mid-year celebration allows people to enjoy a more traditional winter-style Christmas dinner, complete with roast meats, mulled wine, and festive decorations.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are public holidays in Australia. On Boxing Day, Australians with British and Irish backgrounds leave tips for the grocer, postman, and newspaper carrier to thank them for their help in the past year. Many Australians spend Boxing Day at the beach or enjoying time with family and friends.
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Christmas food
As Christmas falls in the Australian summer, the food tends to be more summer-focused, with BBQs and cold meats and seafood.
A typical Australian Christmas menu might include grilled steaks, sausages, burgers, fish, charcuterie platters, potato salad, leafy green salads, and steamed or boiled prawns. Prawn cocktails are also a popular Australian Christmas food.
Other foods include cold meats, such as ham, which is often bought pre-cooked, and turkey, which is served cold. These are served with condiments such as pickles, mustards, and chutneys.
For dessert, Australians tend to opt for something light and fresh, like pavlova, trifle, or a fruit platter. Pavlova is a traditional Australian dessert, made with meringue and topped with cream and fresh fruit, often including the traditional passion fruit. Trifle is another popular dessert, made with jelly, cream, and fresh fruit.
Australians also celebrate 'Christmas in July', which is a winter celebration, and people will eat more traditional winter foods, such as mulled wine, melted cheese, and toasted marshmallows.
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Christmas activities
Christmas in Australia falls during the summer. Australians celebrate Christmas with unique traditions that reflect the warm summer atmosphere. Here are some Christmas activities that Australians typically enjoy:
Outdoor Activities
Australians love to spend Christmas outdoors, making the most of the sunny weather. Many people head to the beach, go swimming, or enjoy picnics in parks. Some play outdoor games like street cricket, while others opt for a surf or a dip in the sea.
Barbecues and Picnics
A popular Christmas activity in Australia is hosting or attending barbecues and picnics with family and friends. Prawns, oysters, fish, and shrimp are grilled to perfection and served with fresh salads and dipping sauces. Some people also enjoy a traditional glazed ham, decorated with honey, mustard, or cloves.
Christmas Decorations and Lights
Many Australians decorate their homes with Christmas lights, trees, and arrangements. Driving or walking around neighbourhoods to admire the festive displays is a common activity. Christmas trees are often decorated with fake snow, fairy lights, ornaments, and a special star on top.
Christmas Markets and Carols
Some cities host Christmas-themed markets during December, offering a festive shopping experience. Carols by Candlelight is another popular activity, where families gather to listen to live performances and sing carols together.
Christmas in July
Due to the warm climate during December, some Australians also celebrate "Christmas in July". This mid-year celebration allows them to experience a winter-style Christmas with roast meats, mulled wine, and festive decorations. It's a chance to enjoy the cosy winter traditions associated with Christmas in other parts of the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australians do celebrate Christmas. Christmas Day and New Year's Day are public holidays in Australia, and many people take the time between Christmas and New Year's Day off work.
Australians often spend Christmas Day outdoors, at the beach, or having picnics in parks. They also decorate their homes with flashing lights and trees, and play Christmas music. They may also attend church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Australians may have a traditional roast turkey with potatoes and roasted vegetables for Christmas, or they may opt for seafood, salads, and barbecues. For dessert, they might eat a rich Christmas pudding with custard, fruit and mince pies, or a pavlova.
