Celebrating Christmas in Australia is going to be quite different to what you are used to in your own country, particularly if you are in the northern hemisphere. The biggest reason for that is of course the weather.
With summer being the season at this time of the year, it means that some Australian Christmas traditions are going to be vastly different. You certainly won’t see us sitting around the warm fire toasting marshmallows.
Celebrating Christmas in Australia means a lot more than just coming together on Christmas Day. Australian’s love to party and get together and so we find many ways to stretch out the party.
Summer
It doesn’t matter what country you are in, summer brings a sense of vibrancy and fun. The sun is out and everyone wants to be out with it. At the same time, schools are finishing for the year and many workers are taking their annual leave.
Australia is buzzing around Christmas time. There is so much happening. Work Christmas parties that usually find their way outdoors for fun things like sailing on the harbour and lawn bowls, friends are getting together for drinks and barbies, and many Summer festivals are starting.
The party is non-stop and can be quite exhausting. Be prepared for long days and nights and lots of extra kilos to work off with that New Years Resolution.
Carols By Candlelight
Carols by candlelight is a really popular evening outing for most families in the run up to Christmas. Each major town or region will host one. Sydney have the largest carols by candlelight in the Domain in the Royal Botanical Gardens, and Melbourne host theirs in the Myer Music Bowl on Christmas Eve. Both are free and televised.
It is a relaxing way to spend a warm summers evening and get excited about the festive season. You turn up to the outdoor venue with a blanket, a picnic dinner, some beer and wine if you feel like it, and a couple of candles. Relax, sit back and listen to Christmas carols usually sung by well-known personalities throughout the evening and of course Santa usually appears.
Christmas Eve
When I was young Christmas Eve always meant staying at home with the family, watching the Carols on TV, and then getting ready for Santa’s arrival with an early night. As soon as Santa appeared at the Carols we knew it was time to go to bed as he was on his way.
When I hit party age, Christmas Eve meant a few drinks down the pub with my friends. At times, Christmas Eve was bigger and more fun than New Years Eve. Everyone was down at the local to catch up before the big family Christmas Day. Mums and Dads were often not too impressed with their children’s hazy state the next day, but it made Christmas all that more fun.
Many people in Australia choose to go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve as well. I’ve never made it, but it is very popular and meant to be very beautiful with the Christmas singing and the high spirits of the packed church (some lifted up by spirits of another sort if they went their straight from the pub).
Christmas Day
Christmas Day celebrations aren’t too different to what you would experience in another country. All the kids are up at the crack of dawn to open their gifts from Santa, and then the sharing of gifts start with your family members. Some families may head to morning mass, while others start on the Christmas candy/lollies straight away.
The streets are usually filled with children riding their new bikes, or sharing what Santa bought with their friends. Guests start arriving, more presents are shared, a hot lunch is served, the alcohol flows freely, and maybe some backyard cricket might be on.
Despite the heat, most families will heat roast chicken, beef and lamb, and cold ham cuts are really popular. Seafood is often found on Aussie plates on Christmas. Pudding with custard is a traditional Christmas desert, and it was once also tradition to hide a coin in there, which made eating it a little awkward. Now with modern hygiene practices I don’t think that happens too much any more.
Evenings are usually spent at the other side of the family’s home, with more gorging on food and alcohol. If the weather is decent, many Australians might make their way to the beach for the day or an afternoon swim.
Boxing Day
But wait, there’s more! The Christmas celebrations do not end on Christmas night in Australia. There is still Boxing Day to come. Boxing Day is a national public holiday in Australia, and is based on the old tradition of boxing up gifts after Christmas to give away. Boxing Day is a day of eating leftovers, hanging out with friends, and more drinking.
Boxing Day is the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, and the Melbourne cricket test. If you can’t make it to either venue live, you will usually have it on TV in the background of your backyard barbie.
Boxing Day is also the start of the mad after Christmas sales, where you can start shopping for next year’s Christmas and get crushed in the crowds. I’d rather watch the cricket, while swimming in the backyard pool with a beer.
Plan a Trip to Enjoy your Australian Christmas!
Do you want to celebrate Christmas in Australia this year? These pages will help you plan a trip:
• How to buy cheap flights to Australia
• Australia working holidays
• Australia gap year jobs