Christmas in July Around the World

In the United States Christmas in July is used as a marketing tool but there are Christmas related celebrations and festivals going on in other parts of the world. In the southern climates where the cold months are in July many countries celebrate Christmas in July. The celebration in Australia revolves mainly around Christmas dinner. It is too hot on Christmas day in December in Australia for the traditional heavy foods eaten at Christmas dinners. Many Australians have the traditional Christmas feast in July. The dinner is accompanied with decorations like Christmas centerpieces and Christmas candles. Gifts are not usually given at these celebrations. Many restaurants have special Christmas in July menus for patrons and catered events. Many companies find it to be a more relaxed time to host their company parties away from all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season in December.


Ski resorts in Australia all have special events for Christmas in July as it is their peak season. Christmas decorations are put up and snowmen are built. Santa Claus is seen skiing down the slopes. Dinners of roast ham, turkey and mince pies with plum pudding and all the traditional holiday libations like eggnog are enjoyed. In Antarctica, at McMurdo Station, Christmas in July has been celebrated for many years. Planes were not able to land due to high winds and bad weather so deliveries would be parachuted down to the ice. This started the Christmas in July celebration as it reminded people of presents falling from the sky by Old Saint Nicholas.


A festival is celebrated every July in Copenhagen as it is the site of the annual World Santa Claus Congress. Christmas in July is celebrated in Copenhagen Denmark at Bakken. Bakken is a popular amusement park located in a scenic area close to Copenhagent. Bakken organizes the Congress along with Santa Claus of Greenland. Santa Claus of Greenland is the only organization that authorizes Santa Clauses. Many of these real Santas numbering in the hundreds participate in this festival every year. They come from all over the world. They participate in parades. They go to the beach for an annual beach paddle. It’s quite amusing to see all these Santas at the beach. The Santa of the year is named and many issues are discussed like what is Santas true homeland, what size presents should be given and when Christmas eve should be celebrated. There are belly shaking chuckle competitions. Of course, many Mrs. Clauses and elves also attend. It’s a fun event and the only time these Santa Clauses can meet.

Lynn Jebbia is the owner of Acadia Wreath Company. Acadia Wreath Company, based in Bar Harbor, Maine, handcrafts fresh Maine balsam fir Christmas wreaths, Christmas Centerpieces and Kissing Balls which are shipped directly to customers and corporate clients throughout the United States.