This might sound like the start of a joke but, as legend has it, it's actually the beginning of Christmas in July in Australia. While this month is mid-summer for half the world, Australia is in the depths of winter and for many, that means it's time for tinsel, turkey and Yuletide tunes.
Therefore, in some Southern Hemisphere countries, such as Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, Christmas in July or Midwinter Christmas events are undertaken in order to have Christmas with a winter feel in common with the Northern Hemisphere.
The short answer? July marks the middle of winter in the southern hemisphere and the cooler temperatures lend themselves to all the cosy Christmas traditions - flickering fires, flowing mulled wine and wrapped presents waiting in anticipation beneath a bauble-clad tree.
Australia has a strong attachment to the custom of celebrating Christmas in cold weather because of its British and European ancestry. So, 'Christmas in July', also known as Yulefest or Yuletide in Australia, can be called a result of this.
In other words, when it is winter in the northern hemisphere, it is summer in the southern hemisphere and vice versa. Since July is generally the coldest winter month in the Southern Hemisphere, the celebration mimics the winter atmosphere of the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, Australia celebrates Christmas in July.
The History of Christmas in July; Hallmark and Beyond!
Is Christmas in July a real holiday?
Christmas in July is a month-long celebration inspired by Christmas traditions and themes. It is especially popular in the Southern Hemisphere, where July is in the middle of winter, contrasting with the actual holiday season that occurs during summer in that region.
Located in the Arctic Circle, the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is known as “Santa's official North Pole residence” and is one of the most popular travel destinations in Finland. The village is open year-round for kids of all ages to see Santa and his elves.
Christmas in July can trace its origin back to France in 1892. The celebration become popular in the U.S. at an all-girls camp in 1933 and spread nationwide in the 1940s. Companies now use the phrase to boost sales during a slow sales period.
A few Australia Christmas traditions include attending Events like Carols by Candlelight gather people for festive singing outdoors, with the largest held at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Christmas Eve. Gift exchange on December 25th is widespread.
Does South Africa celebrate Christmas during summer?
In South Africa, Christmas is celebrated during the height of summer, with locals making the most of the sunshine, long days, and balmy nights with outdoor gatherings and vibrant festivities. Many families celebrate with outdoor braais (barbecues), picnics in parks or at the beach, and lively poolside gatherings.
Christmas in July began in 1933 at Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina, thanks to the whimsical spirit of camp co-founder Fannie Holt. The camp's celebration included carols, Santa, cotton snow, and creative gifts, making midsummer feel magical.
Leon Day is a fun and whimsical observance that marks the halfway point to Christmas. Celebrated on June 25th, the day is a playful reminder that Christmas is only six months away.
Why is Christmas celebrated in Australia and New Zealand in summer?
Since New Zealand is in the Earth's southern hemisphere, December is in summer and therefore Christmas is celebrated in summer. Do people in New Zealand celebrate Christmas? Yes, people in New Zealand celebrate Christmas, but like in the UK, on 25 December.
Others believe the origins of Christmas in July stem from the July 25th Feast of St. James, a Christian holiday honoring the apostle who traveled great distances to spread the faith. This day was also known as "Little Christmas" and was celebrated in some cultures with gift-giving and feasting.
Which country doesn't celebrate Christmas on 25 December?
Predominantly Muslim nations such as Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and Yemen don't recognise it as a public holiday. Similarly, Bhutan, a Buddhist country, and Hindu-majority nations like Mauritania, also do not celebrate Christmas. In many of these places, December 25th is just another day.
From its humble beginnings in a run-down hotel decades ago, Christmas in July – which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like – has become a beloved Australian tradition.
As one of the two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia (the other being East Timor), the Philippines celebrates the world's longest Christmas season (Filipino: Kapaskuhan), spanning what are colloquially referred to as the "ber months".
So how expensive is Lapland? The overall cost for our four-night trip to Rovaniemi in January worked out at €728/£610/$800 per person, which includes return flights from the UK. This works out at around €182/£153/$200 per person per night.
The Norwegian word for Santa Claus is JULENISSE and on Christmas Eve, we leave out a bowl of JULEGRØT: rice porridge with sugar, cinnamon and butter. Gifts are not exchanged until the family dinner in the early evening.
Christmas Day in Australia. In some cultures, it is more common to celebrate Christmas Eve, but in Australia, 25 December - Christmas Day - is the biggest event of the season. Generally, the day involves parties during the day with lots of food and gifts shared.
And that's why there's a somewhat unique tradition to celebrate Christmas in July. It's properly called Yuletide or Yulefest, and it gets closer to the first image than Santa in boardies at Bondi.
One of the earliest recorded celebrations of Christmas in July took place in 1933 at Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina. To break up the summer monotony, the camp's co-founder, Fannie Holt, organized a Christmas-themed party complete with carol singing and a visit from Santa Claus.
Which country will celebrate Christmas during summer?
The correct answer is Australia. Christmas is celebrated in the summer in Australia because Christmas is celebrated everywhere on 25 December, and that date in most of Australia is in the summertime.
