It may not be the fairy tale White Christmas you dreamt of, but Christmas in Australia is summery, vibrant, and charming. The magical holiday season brings sun and sand, wine and warmth, beach barbecues, and cold beer. Celebrate the spirit of Christmas with blue sunny skies, or sing carols by candlelight under the jewelled night sky. The Aussie twist on the Yuletide cheer is rather unique. Where else would you find Santas surfing the waves and kangaroos bringing you presents? Be it the ancient traditions of the Indigenous First Nations Peoples, the contemporary festivities, the bustling vibe around the big cities, or the laid-back charm of the Australian coastal towns, Christmas in Australia is sparkling with joy and sunshine.
Celebrating Christmas 2024 in Australia
Like the rest of the world, Australia celebrates Christmas on December 25. The festivities begin on Christmas Eve, December 24, and continue until Boxing Day on December 26. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, it is bright and sunny, and the time zones (be it Australian Central, Eastern, or Western Standard Time) ensure that Christmas rings in way earlier than most countries in the West. While Christmas is a snowy affair in most parts of the world, Australians are celebrating amidst a warm summer and can’t get enough of the beaches and the barbeques. Most festivities are outdoors, with carnivals, pageants, and markets that start around mid-November and continue towards the New Year.
Did you also know the Southern Hemisphere had its own counterpart to the Northern Lights?
Christmas traditions in Australia
- “Happy Chrissy, mate!” rings in a colloquial greeting, as Christmas in Australia is unique, and the local traditions and festivities carry a different note with sunny skies. Christmas is celebrated outdoors, and in several coastal towns, Beach Christmas with picnics and parties are ubiquitous.
- If you are in Bondi Beach in Sydney or Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, don’t be surprised to see several locals and tourists surfing, sunbathing, and celebrating Christmas together. You might even find Santa on a Surfboard, wearing board shorts and sunglasses. Sometimes, he even appears in a boat and a jetski and trades his reindeer for a kangaroo, bringing gifts.
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- Most Australians combine sports and the outdoors with Christmas celebrations. Beach volleyball is typical, cricket matches on Boxing Day are standard, and a yacht race from Sydney to Hobart is an iconic tradition ingrained in the Australian sporting spirit.
- While the Christmas tree dazzles with sparkling lights and decorations, Australians love to showcase their native flora. The blossoms of the Australian Christmas Bush and Christmas Bells, along with wattle and eucalyptus leaves, are used as festive decorations in homes, replacing or complementing traditional holly and mistletoe. The trees are also decorated with wooden ornaments, including koalas and kookaburras wearing Santa hats and small statues of sleighs pulled by kangaroos.
- Another iconic and endearing Christmas tradition is Carols by Candlelight, which started in Melbourne in the 1930s. Now, people, especially children, gather in parks and on beaches to sing carols under candlelight. As Christmas is a community celebration, several local events vie for lighting and decorations in every neighbourhood. If you travel to Australia to celebrate Christmas, you can even participate in these “light tours.” Movie nights, markets, carnivals, street parties, and parades take place.
- Regarding gifting, Kris Kringle (or Secret Santa) is a popular tradition in workplaces and schools. While gifts are usually thoughtful and emphasise local crafts, don’t be surprised if you receive something quirky, mysterious, or naughty, nicknamed “Dirty Santa” or “White Elephant”.
Also read | From Yule Books To Bad Santas: A Journey Through Unique Christmas Practices
Best Christmas markets in Australia
Martin Place Christmas Market, Sydney
Located in the city’s heart, the enchanting Martin Place Christmas Market is open three times a week from Thursdays to Saturdays until December 21. The crown jewel is one of the tallest Christmas Trees adorned with over 110,000 LED Lights and 15000 Australian Native Flowers. Artisanal markets and food stalls sell everything locally crafted, from gourmet treats to gifts, as you are dazzled with illuminated canopies while listening to melodious carols. And in Sydney, don’t miss the Le Jolly Market, which has a European flavour and Christmas Wonderland at The Rocks.
Downtown Sydney also has excellent restaurants, museums, and more.
Queen Victoria Christmas Market, Melbourne
If you are in the Victorian capital, you can’t miss the most iconic Queen Victoria Christmas Market Festival. Christmas-themed stalls sell everything from artisanal gifts to gourmet food, festive treats and unique crafts. Say hello to Santa; he might turn up with a kangaroo instead of a reindeer bearing gifts. The festival opens in December and is open until Christmas Eve. Both locals and tourists throng it. While you are there, don’t miss the festive atmosphere at Federation Square, the Carol by Candlelight, a Melbourne tradition, the Christmas Carnival on the banks of the Birrarung and the District Docklands Christmas Night Market.
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Ebenezer Night Market, Adelaide
One of the most popular night markets in Adelaide, it is held in Ebenezer Place every Saturday in December near Rundle Street. Shop for gifts created by local artisans, taste local goodies and lose yourself in the festive atmosphere. Rundle Mall also has its own special Christmas Market, which cannot be missed. Adelaide also has you chasing Santas on a treasure hunt. If you are done with the trail, visit the Adelaide Convention Centre for Enchanted Christmas Carnival or sing along with the choir at the Music at the Tree event at Victoria Square. Other popular Christmas Markets include Adelady Christmas Village and Glanville Hall Twilight Christmas Market.
Collective Markets in South Bank, Brisbane
Starting December 18- 23, the Collective Markets in South Bank Parklands will don a Christmas carnival look. Be it last-minute shopping or soaking in the Christmas fervour, the Queensland capital is all set for the festive season. One of the most premium and trendy markets, there is live music, shows, food trucks and more. While in Brisbane, do not miss the Bris-style Twilight Market and Christmas in the Plaza. The city sparkles with light shows, magical performances, colourful installations and pulsating music. Also, get dazzled by the City Hall Lights and hunt for hidden Christmas-themed Tiny Doors and the South Bank Nightly Christmas Parade.
Perth Hills Artisan Christmas Markets
Soak in the Yuletide vibes at the Perth Hills Artisan Markets on December 14-15, which has a plethora of handmade crafts, wooden toys, jewellery and every beautiful Christmas gift and trinket you can buy. Another vibrant market is the Boutique Christmas Market, with 40 stalls filled with special gifts ranging from candles and crafts. If you fancy a beach party, then head to the Summer X Salt Christmas Beach Markets, which is on every Saturday in December. Fremantle Arts Centre Bazaar is another hotspot this Christmas.
Also read | Book Your Stay At The Best Hotels In Perth: Our Top Picks For Luxury And Comfort
Christmas cuisines and food in Australia
“Hope Santa brings you plenty of prawns and pavlova!” is among the most popular greetings. Barbeques or Barbies are the usual favourites, along with seafood feasts. Instead of the traditional roast dinner, grilled seafood, fresh prawns and oysters, sausages and steaks are on the menu, along with potato salads. My favourite dessert is pavlova, a meringue-based dessert topped with fresh fruit like berries, mangoes, or passionfruit. White Christmas is another popular dessert and fruit puddings are very delicious. One of the charming traditions includes baking a small coin in a steamed pudding, then doused with burning alcohol. If you find the coin on your plate, then it is believed that you will have a lucky year.
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Best places to celebrate Christmas in Australia
Incredible weather, sunny skies, golden beaches, and endless parties beckon you to the Land Down Under as we recommend some of Australia’s best places to celebrate Christmas. There are live music shows, never-ending parties, and parades, and don’t be surprised if you find Father Christmas surfing away, bringing you presents along the way.
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is one of Australia’s best places to celebrate Christmas, where you can surf on the beach, sing carols, decorate gingerbread houses, sip eggnog, have dinner with Barbies, and watch fireworks. You can attend Mayor’s Christmas Carols, Cooly Carols, and Carols on the Beach at Surfer’s Paradise. Get mesmerised at Movie World’s White Christmas, go festive shopping at Paradise Centre, or on a Christmas Cruise. Don’t miss the Christmas Markets, mainly the Dreamworld Night Markets and Christmas Wonderland at Broadwater Parklands, one of the largest in Gold Coast.
Here are the top ten things to do in Australia’s Gold Coast.
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Endless sunshine and beautiful beaches make this idyllic destination one of Australia’s best places to celebrate Christmas. While the vibe may differ from Gold Coast, don’t miss the Christmas Boat Parade at Mooloolaba, Christmas Carnival at Hastings Street, Caloundra Christmas Street Party, and Christmas Street Lane.
Tasmania
If you want to lose yourself in one of the fascinating islands of Australia, then head to Tasmania to celebrate Christmas, where markets and carnivals are not to be missed. The Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant is a spectacle of colour and energy, while there is the Christmas in the City Bus Service with floats, dances, and bands. Don’t miss the Christmas Lunch Cruise with Hobart Heritage Cruises, Tasmania Made Christmas Market with local artisanal gifts and the famous George Town Christmas Market.
Adelaide
The South Australian capital invites you to celebrate Christmas with a Santa Trail created around a vibrant Christmas Carnival where you can go on a treasure hunt looking for 10 Santas and priceless gifts. Don’t miss the Giant Christmas Tree Lighting Event, Enchanted Christmas Show, Santa’s Wonderland, Christmas Concerts, and Christmas Gnome Trails. Every neighbourhood has plenty of Christmas markets, but the Adelaide Central Market and the Adelady Christmas Village should not be missed.
Also read | The Best Things To Do In Adelaide
Melbourne
Reflecting the cultural ethos of the Victorian capital, Christmas is traditional with a contemporary twist as the entire city captures the Yuletide spirit. Lose yourself in the colourful murals or gaze upon the Christmas display at the Myer Christmas Window. The Carols by Candlelight is synonymous with Melbourne, which started as a tradition in 1938 and is now an Australian tradition. Stop by Federation Square, which turns magically into Christmas Square, where you can experience a Wonderland around a giant Christmas Tree. Christmas carnivals, cruises, parties, parades, and markets beckon you while you can enjoy a colourful Crown Christmas River Show. Also not to be missed is the Koorie Krismas with the First Nations People, the Queen Victoria Night Market, St Kilda Esplanade Market, and the German Christmas Market, among others.
Discover more of this fantastic Australian city with our elaborate 10-day Melbourne itinerary.
Perth
It’s a great time to celebrate Christmas outdoors in the Western Australian capital, with events, lights, markets, and carnivals. Experience the magical vibes at the Elizabeth Quay Fair, Christmas Lights Trails, Christmas Cruises, and Christmas on the Coast. There are also concerts and community events. Don’t miss the festive Perth Hills Christmas Markets and Fremantle Arts Centre Christmas Bazaar, among others.
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Sydney
Sydney steals the show during Christmas as all roads lead to Martin Place, where a Christmas Carnival awaits you around one of the tallest Christmas Trees in the state, adorned with 15000 Australian native flowers and lit with over 110,000 LED Lights. Don’t miss taking a photo with Santa at his house. The next stop should be the Darling Harbour, with its floating Christmas Tree and sparkling fireworks. Every neighbourhood in Sydney is lit up, be it The Rocks with its live music and vibrant party scene or Barangaroo with the native tree and artisanal markets. A canopy of lights awaits you at Pitt Street Mall, while the Le Jolly Market is not to be missed. Follow our 10-day Sydney itinerary for more places to visit.
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(Featured image credit: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Related: Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Australia
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere and it is summer from December to February Down Under.
Australians decorate their homes for Christmas with lights and Christmas trees but they have native Australian elements, outdoor and beach themes, tropical flowers, endemic wildlife and birds and festive fruits to showcase the summery Christmas season
Some of the unique Australian Christmas symbols include native plants like the Christmas Bush and Christmas Bells, the kookaburra bird and of course the fruity dessert, pavlova - all of them signifying summer
Christmas in Australia is mostly an outdoor event and they are celebrated with full gusto with beach parties, barbeques, picnics in parks, carol singing at squares, markets and carnivals and even playing backyard cricket
Carols by Candlelight, a Melbourne tradition has now become a staple Christmas event across Australia. In this tradition, people gather at parks, beaches and public squares and sing Christmas Carols . The event is further popularised by live shows and performances by opera singers, celebrities and artists, while the audience join as well in the singing
Boxing Day is a great day for shopping and sports and while there are several deals and discounts, the sporting highlights include the Boxing Day Cricket Match in Melbourne and the Sydney to Hobary Yacht Race
Father Christmas is very much a part of Australian Christmas celebration and there are several events, trails and photo ops around him. However dont be surprised if you find Santa on a Surfboard, wearing board shorts and sunglasses . Sometimes he even appears in a boat and a jetski and even trades his reindeer for a kangaroo, bringing gifts.
Yes Australians sing traditional Christmas Carols
Written By
Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi is passionate about everything that is local — from cultural traditions to art and architecture ..Read More
