Summer Holidays

Christmas & New Year in Australia are not like their wintery equivalents in the Northern Hemisphere. These holidays are celebrated on December 25 and January 1 in midsummer under scorching-hot sun when temperatures can easily exceed  30 °C.

Activities

Many families choose to take their annual break during holidays to have a peaceful time at home together, or take a more “outgoing” approach and enjoy sun, salty sea breeze, and surfing.

Some farmers, who were not as lucky, end up fighting drought and keeping vigilance for smoke and grass fire.

Old World Traditions

Because of European heritage, Australians cling to many of the “Old World” traditions:

●           Santa in the warm, red suit.

●           Holiday cards with snowy scenes.

●           Fir trees decorated with gleaming toys and flashing lights.

●           Decorations and souvenirs, traditionally, red in colour.

●           Hanging wreaths on the front door.

Unique Traditions

Australia has its own set of unique traditions:

●           Being the land of Kangaroos, there are many artworks and souvenirs with Christmas-styled Kangaroos and Koalas.

●           Besides fir trees, many decorations include leaves of palm trees and flowers unique to Australia.

●           Australians also decorate their houses with bunches of “Christmas Bush”, a native Australian tree with small green leaves and cream coloured flowers.

Carols by Candlelight

In each State capital city there is a large Carols by Candlelight service. There are also huge holiday pageants in each state capital city, that are also broadcast across the country. Most towns and cities have festivals and parades. In some places, there is a fireworks display at the local park.

Many towns, cities and schools also hold their own Carols by Candlelight services, with local bands and choirs sometimes helping to perform the Christmas Carols and songs. As it is the middle of Summer in Australia at Christmas time, the words to the Carols about snow and the cold winter are sometimes changed to special Australian words. There are also some original Australian Carols.

Film and Television

Most popular movie picks to watch during Christmas or New Year’s Eve include:

●           Crackers (1998)

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●           Miracle Down Under (1987)

●           Home Alone (1990)

●           Die Hard (1988)

●           National Lampoon's Christmas

Bondi Beach as a popular tourist spot

Many Australians spend their summer holidays outdoors, going to the beach for the day, or heading to camping grounds instead. It has become traditional for international visitors who are in Sydney during holidays to go to Bondi Beach where up to 40000 people visit on Christmas Day.

New Year’s Eve in Australia

Australians annually celebrate New Year’s Eve with parties, music and other forms of entertainment on December 31. Timezone-wise Australia is ahead of most other countries by a handful and, as a result, it is one of the first countries to greet the New Year.

Major Australian cities have special New Year’s Eve events that include parades, music and entertainment. Celebrities are often invited as guests of honor or hosts for large New Year’s Eve events.

New Year’s Eve is not a public holiday in Australia. However, schools and educational institutions are closed on this day as it is in the school holiday period.