As the weather gets colder, it can be hard to gather some enthusiasm about going outside unless it's to go somewhere warm - preferably with a fireplace! Comfort food is also on the agenda, as every restaurant, café and pub in Canberra puts soup on the menu as we crave food to warm us up from the inside. It is for these reasons that
Christmas in July is such a hit in the Canberra region, as it combines fireplaces, comfort food, mulled wine, songs and good friends - all in the one location. What more do we need?
Around the wider Canberra region, there are a variety of ways to celebrate
Christmas in July with family and friends. Some involve getting cosy by the fireplace with a roast turkey and there are others that insist you get outside and amongst the winter weather! The following are just some of the events around the Canberra region this year - guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit for the whole month of July...
Celebrate Christmas in July all month at the George Harcourt Inn. Image: George Harcourt Inn Facebook
English pub in Gold Creek Village will be running a
Christmas in July 3-course lunch
all month, for groups of 8 people or more. It costs $47 per person and is available between Monday and Thursday for lunch and dinner, Friday for lunch and Sunday for dinner throughout July. Sit by the fireplace and enjoy a comforting Christmas meal and plum pudding, as well as the option of buying mulled wine on the night. See
here for details.
Murrumbateman Winery is located 30 minutes north of the city in the Canberra Wine District. On Saturday
21st and 28th July they will be hosting
Christmas in July dinners, at a cost of $65 per person (over 18's only). Enjoy a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, Christmas pudding and a glass of delicious Murrumbateman Winery wine. See
here for details.
Mona Farm is a historical estate in Braidwood (1 hour east of Canberra) and this year they will be celebrating
Christmas in July with an Open Day on Saturday,
21st July between 10am - 5pm. Walk around the property and enjoy horse and carriage rides, falling snow, mulled wine, gourmet foods, miniature train rides and much more. The entry price for adults is $10 plus booking fee and children 10 and under are free. See
here for details.
Image: Original photos from Mona Farm and Historic Home Facebook
in Wamboin (30 minutes east of Canberra) will be hosting
Christmas in July on Saturday,
28th July, with Christmas carols by the fireside, Santa, snow and a tree. See
here for details.
Queanbeyan Christmas in July Market Day will be held on Sunday,
29th July at Queanbeyan Showground between 10am - 4pm. There will be over 200 market stalls, a visit from Santa, artificial snow, Daschund races, a fashion show, an art exhibition, a kid's play area, carriage rides, an outdoor obstacle course, bubble soccer, Santa pet photos, a giving tree and much more! Entry is free, see
here for details.
Santa Speedo Shuffle will be held on Sunday,
29th July, starting from the Canberra Southern Cross Club, to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. Runners will don Santa hats - and just a pair of speedos! - and run around Lake Burley Griffin. If you don't want to get down to your speedos, then they are also organising a Crazy Christmas Jumper Walk at the same time. Get some friends together as a team and start fundraising! See
here for details.
Image: Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Facebook
Image: Speedo Shuffle website
is located in Bredbo, 1 hour south of Canberra on the way to the Snowy Mountains. Each year this Christmas shop opens between
June and December so that Christmas-lovers can buy decorations for their
Christmas in July and Christmas celebrations. Walk around the Christmas wonderland and be amazed by their range! See
here for details and
here for a full article.
Although we may tend to stay inside in the month of July, there are plenty more opportunities to rug up and have fun in the Canberra region. Why not go on a truffle hunt at the
Canberra Truffle Festival, go outdoor ice-skating at
Garema Place, have fun in the snow at
Corin Forest, shop at the
Handmade Market, snuggle up with a book at a
Lifeline Book Fair, have a
Sunday Roast at Pialligo Estate or explore some of Canberra's finest
museums and
galleries. July is the ideal time to get out from under the blanket and re-discover all the unique attractions of this seasonal city.
You never know, we may even get a
White Christmas in July!
Image: Original photos from Bredbo Christmas Barn Facebook
