The Best Places To Celebrate Christmas In July in Sydney 2018

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 2018, why not bring the festivities forward and get a taste of Christmas in July, with all the wintery fun included!?

1. Blue Mountains Yulefest

One of our favourite out of town family-friendly destinations that doesn't skimp on the luxury, The Fairmont Resort is transformed into a winter wonderland during Yulefest with roaring fires, crisp days, storybook scenery and festive Friday and Saturday night Christmas In July feasts until 28 July at the Jamison's Restaurant for $29/child, $92/adult and FREE for under 5s (make sure to book). Keep your eyes peeled for Santa, and some snowfall if you're lucky! 

2. Have a Cruisey Christmas in July

Sail away on 'Christmas Day' on a three-hour Vagabond Christmas in July Cruise, complete with all the seafood, a carvery, live music and a Sydney Harbour backdrop - all for just $50/child, $70/adult or $230 for a family of four. Under 5s are FREE. 

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 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. 

Stanmore's Salisbury Hotel is a family-friendly ellaslist favourite, their Sunday Roast coming with craft beer pints for schooner prices from 5-10pm. They're also doing a range of Xmas in July events, for adults and for kids, see more here.

Down at the Rocks, the Tap Rooms are hosting a Christmas shared feast with a glass of mulled wine or schmiddy to start and dessert to finish.

Christmas cheer will also be brought to the Butler Potts Point for lunch and dinner throughout July, with a glass of mulled wine to start, and modern twist on the traditional Xmas roast for $60/head; think braised pork belly with chargrilled pineapple and red + green salsa, and Spiced Chocolate Pudding with sangria ice cream - all enjoyed with the view of the Sydney skyline. 

4. Experience The Magic of a Winter Festival

You're still in luck - many of Sydney's fantastic winter festivals are still running during July! Bondi Winter Magic, Parramatta Winterlight and Luna Park's Winterfest are our top picks, and their 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.

5. Dining With A Difference

At Coogee's Barzura, enjoy a traditional winter Christmas feast for lunch and dinner until 31 July. Wash the turkey and all the trimmings down with the reasonably priced Christmas-themed cocktails on offer, including hot toddies ($12), mulled wine and butterscotch Schnapps hot chocolate (both $9). 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, where you'll indulge in a sumptuous Friday or Saturday night Yuletide feast at Cafe Mix. Think whole roasted turkey, suckling pig, and roast beef with all the trimmings as well as mulled wine, egg nog, and delectable desserts by Pastry Chef Queen Anna Polyviou - all for $85/adult and $42.50/child. Or head to Sheraton on the Park throughout July for a decadent seafood buffet plus mandatory roast turkey and glazed ham and much more for lunch and dinner, complete with a complimentary glass of mulled wine or alcohol free egg nog. Lunch is $79/head on a weekday and $89/head on the weekend; dinner is $89/head Monday-Thursday, or $99/head Friday-Sunday. 

Have you signed up to our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!