Christmas in July in Australia’s Blue Mountains

[Jason Hall]

                                             Winter in the Country (photo: Katoomba-nsw.com)

                                                Mountain Heritage Hotel during snowfall (photo: Mountain Heritage)


Did you know that the concept of "Christmas in July" started in Australia’s Blue Mountains? Here in the southern hemisphere, July is the middle of winter. In 1980, some vacationers from Ireland were staying at the Mountain Heritage Hotel and mentioned that it felt just like Christmas, with the snow on the ground and the fireplace crackling. They decided to order a dinner of turkey with stuffing, plum pudding, and all the usual Christmas dinner fixings. After dinner, they sang Christmas carols by the fire, and a new Christmas-in-July tradition was born. It is now a big celebration in the Blue Mountains every winter, with special dinner feasts, productions, gifts, and even visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Your Christmas in July might in fact even be topped off by the occasional snowfall.

 

(images: Google Maps)

Getting to the Blue Mountains

There are many different resorts in the Blue Mountains, as well as places for winter sports like skiing, sledding, and snowboarding. The Blue Mountains are just west of Sydney in New South Wales. If you fly into Sydney, you can make a road trip out of it and hire a car in Sydney (Budget.com.au.) and make your way west and up into the beautiful mountains. The trip is only about 75 km.

 

The Blue Mountains Winter Ball

Kicking off the winter season each year, this is a big production, with dinner and entertainment at the Hydro Majestic Hotel. Guests can choose to add on a before-dinner guided tour of the historic hotel and then opt for pre-drinks in the Delmonte Lobby. Dinner is a three-course gourmet meal featuring local produce paired with local wines and beers. After dinner, the entertainment begins and is different each year. For 2015, the program includes The Divas and Disco Fever with emcee Nick Bennett.

 

       Yulefest (photo: Lilianfels.com.au)

                        View of Blue Mountains/Three Sisters to the left from Lilianfels (photo: Lilianfels.com.au)

Yulefest

The entire celebration for Christmas in July spans throughout the winter months of June, July, and August. Lilianfels is one of the hotels where you can celebrate your Christmas spirit with a special buffet dinner and bon bons for dessert. The hotel is filled with Christmas decorations and festive Christmas music all winter long. You can even spot Santa around and say hello.

 

Winter Magic Festival

The Winter Magic Festival is part of Yulefest and also part of the winter solstice celebration. The entire town and all the resorts all participate and create a magical winter wonderland for all the guests who flock here in the winter to celebrate Christmas in July. Christmas trees and decorations can be seen everywhere and Christmas music rings out. The Winter Magic Festival lines the streets of Katoomba with entertainers of all kinds as well as booths selling their wares with special treats to represent the holidays. The entertainment includes musicians, singers, gymnasts, dancers and more. One of the highlights is the Christmas dinner feast abort the Zig Zag Railway.

 

Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa Retreat

 

The hotel where the Christmas in July concept all started is still continuing the tradition each year. Since 1980, the hotel continues to exude the Yuletide spirit for all guests and visitors. The hotel is all decked out every winter with Christmas decorations and each room is filled with Christmas joy. Guests can enjoy elegant Christmas dinners, after dinner drinks, a cabaret show, Christmas carols, and even a visit from Santa Claus. Imagine enjoying a Christmas celebration without the usual stress of the holidays.

 

Jenolan Caves

Of course, visiting the Blue Mountains for Christmas in July isn’t only about staying indoors at the hotels. The Jenolan Caves are among the top sights to see in the Blue Mountains. These mysterious caves light up with Christmas spirit and join in the Yulefest Celebration. In addition to touring the caves with Santa, guests can dine on an elegant Edwardian era meal that is great for adults or families with children. The dinner and other Yulefest activities take place in the Historic Jenolan Caves House.

 

Mountain Hiking

Don’t worry about all the Christmas feasts, desserts and other treats you might eat during your Christmas in July vacation because there is plenty of hiking, bushwalking, and mountain trails get your exercise in while seeing the sights and work off all those rich “Christmas” meals. You can add onto your holiday experience with a scenic drive through the Greater Blue Mountains, The Alpine Way Scenic Drive, or a road trip through the Snow Mountains. You can read about all of those and more on the Budget Travel Tips Blog.