The Best Places To Celebrate Christmas In July in Sydney 2017

Snow falling, mistletoe, cosying up by the fireplace listening to carols....it's the picture-perfect image of Christmas that we Sydney-siders only see in movies filmed north of the equator.

Although we love our Decembers Down Under, in 2017, why not bring the festivities forward and get a taste of Christmas in July, with all the wintery fun included!?

1. Blue Mountains Yulefest

Out of town, the Blue Mountains have kindly whipped up a blanket of snow for upcoming Yuletide events. One of our favourite family-friendly destinations that doesn't skimp on the luxury, The Fairmont Resort is transformed into a winter wonderland during Yulefest with roaring fires, festive feasts, crisp days and storybook scenery (and even the occasional bit of snowfall). From 30 June to 29 July, head to Jamison's restaurant on Friday or Saturday night for a sumptuous buffet! There will be bonbons, visits from Santa, festive music, and Christmas decor. 

2. Have a Cruisey Christmas in July

Captain Cook Cruises will be full of Yuletide cheer, offering lunch cruises with traditional treats like roast turkey and ham, mince pies, and rich plum pudding, and Sydney's famous seafood. Vagabond Cruises are offering 3-hour lunch cruises complete with live music, a carvery, delicious seafood, and prizes for the ugliest sweater!

3. Roast Turkey with all the Trimmings

Nothing celebrates winter or Christmas in July better than a roast with all the extras! We just love the Four in Hand's $24 all-day Sunday roast that rotates between lamb, chicken and even pork belly, and the Woolwich Pier Hotel has a Sunday menu with two roasts to choose from- pork belly and crackling with roasties, pumpkin mash, apple puree, yorkies and gravy or Riverine saddle of lamb with roasties, pumpkin mash, yorkies, mint jelly and gravy. Check out our guide to Sydney's best roasts here. P.J. O'Brien's pub is also another great destination- their Christmas in July special runs every Wednesday for lunch and dinner, consisting of a 3-course feast for $50 per person, and glasses of mulled wine for $8. 

4. Experience The Magic of a Winter Festival

You're still in luck- many of Sydney's fantastic winter festivals are running until about mind-July! The atmosphere can't be replicated- rug up and enjoy some ice skating, ice performances, ice slides, snow play, live music, Ferris wheels, and fun and games where there is sure to be something to put a smile on every family member's dial. Head to a food stall for a mug of hot chocolate or a big cup of mulled wine, and soak it all up.

5. Dining With A Difference

At Coogee's Barzura, enjoy a traditional winter Christmas feast! Available for lunch and dinner, there's Christmas-themed cocktails like snowflake martinis, mulled wine and butterscotch hot choccies, Christmas pudding, roast turkey, and all the trimmings! What makes Christmas in July at Barzura different is their "Reversed Christmas Tree". Do some good this Chrissy by dropping off a wrapped gift that will go to the Salvation Army's children in need. 

6. A Classy Christmas in July

Celebrate Christmas in July with a touch of elegance! At the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, indulge in a sumptuous Yuletide feast at Cafe Mx. You can expect whole roasted turkey, suckling pig, and roast beef with all the trimmings as well as mulled wine, egg nog, and delectable desserts for $85 per person. At the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, warm up in Windjammers with a festive-themed buffet full of roast meats and fresh seafood, as well as live music, a visit from Santa and a kid's arts and crafts section. Sheraton on the Park is all about seafood this Christmas in July with a decadent buffet available for lunch and dinner.