Christmas is a time for family, friends and fun. But how is Christmas celebrated in other countries around the world? Today, we're taking a look at how Christmas is celebrated in Australia! Down under, Christmas is all about spending time with loved ones, enjoying the warm weather and of course - eating lots of delicious food! So if you're looking for some festive inspiration this year, be sure to take a closer look at how Australians celebrate Christmas. You might just find yourself packing your bags for a trip down under!

How do Australians celebrate Christmas today?

Christmas is celebrated differently all around the world, and Australia is no different. While Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere is typically cold and snowy, Christmas down under is all about enjoying the warm weather! Australians love to spend Christmas Day outdoors, whether they're at the beach or in their own backyard. And when it comes to food, traditional Christmas fare like roast turkey and plum pudding often takes a backseat to more summer-friendly dishes like seafood and salads.

Sadly, Australia doesn't start celebrating Christmas on September 1st (we see you The Philippines!). Australians begin celebrating Christmas in early December, with most people putting up their Christmas trees and decorating their homes around this time. Although, in saying this, the Christmas period is a big time for retail so decorations start to go up in malls around the end of October! Christmas carols and other festive music also start playing on the radio and in stores, getting everyone into the Christmas spirit!

Unlike most places in the Northern Hemisphere, Australian schools have their largest holiday over the Christmas period, starting from around December 15th - 17th and ending around the last few days of January. This means the Christmas period is a real family time for Australians!

A public Christmas tree in Sydney, Australia full of decorations

Australian beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world and Christmas is the perfect time to enjoy them! With temperatures averaging around 30 degrees Celsius, Christmas is the perfect time for a swim in the ocean. Australians love to spend Christmas Day outdoors, whether they're at the beach or in their own backyard, and there is always a barbeque close by!

Aussie Christmas barbeques are legendary! Christmas is the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy some of the delicious seafood that Australia has to offer. From fresh prawns to succulent lobster, there's something for everyone at an Aussie Christmas day barbie. And of course, no barbeque is complete without a cold beer in hand!

How do Australian Aboriginals celebrate Christmas?

Australian Aboriginals have a long and rich history that predates the arrival of Christmas by thousands of years. While Christmas is now a major festival in Australia, many Aboriginal people do not celebrate it. For some, Christmas is a reminder of the loss of their land and culture. Others simply don't see Christmas as being relevant to their lives and traditions.

However, there are also many Aboriginal people who do celebrate Christmas, often incorporating it into their own unique cultural traditions. For example, many Aboriginal communities hold special Christmas parties or gatherings where traditional food and dance are enjoyed. Christmas trees and decorations are also common in many Aboriginal households.

So while Christmas may not be celebrated by all Australian Aboriginals, for those who do celebrate it, Christmas is a time to come together, enjoy good food and company, and celebrate the rich culture and history of Australia.

Boxing Day in Australia is Christmas Continued

Christmas may be over in other parts of the world, but Down Under, the party is just getting started! Boxing Day, which falls on December 26th, is a public holiday in Australia and New Zealand. It's a day for spending time with family and friends, as well as indulging in some of the best sales of the year!

Fans enjoying the Boxing Day cricket test match

For many Australians, Boxing Day is all about getting outdoors and enjoying the warm weather. Beaches are always packed on Boxing Day, as people take advantage of the long weekend to soak up some sun. Cricket is also a popular pastime on Boxing Day, with the Australian national team hosting the Boxing Day Test every year against an international opponent.

Of course, shopping is also a big part of Boxing Day in Australia. Stores offer massive discounts on a wide range of items, and many people take advantage of the sales to do their Christmas shopping for the following year. Boxing Day is also a great time to score some bargain tickets to sporting events or concerts.

And after a long day of shopping and playing sport, there's nothing better than heading out for a few drinks with friends! Boxing Day is one of the biggest party nights of the year in Australia, so if you're looking to let your hair down, this is one of the days to do it!.

Does Australia have any Santa Parades?

Yes, Australia does have Santa parades! One of the most popular is the Christmas Parade in Sydney, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year. The parade features floats, marching bands, and of course, Santa Claus himself! Other major cities like Melbourne and Brisbane also hold their own Santa parades, so if you're in Australia during Christmas time, be sure to check one out.

What is the History of Christmas in Australia?

Christmas in Australia has a long and rich history dating back to the early days of European settlement. Christmas was first celebrated in Australia in 1788, just two years after the establishment of the British colony of New South Wales by British missionaries and settlers.

A watercolor painting of Christmas at Bondi Beach in Sydney 1865

Christmas Day didn't become a public holiday in Australia until 1836, and it wasn't until 1897 that Christmas became a national holiday. Prior to that, each state and territory had its own public holidays.

At first, Christmas was not widely celebrated due to the harsh conditions of life in the new colony. However, Christmas began to gain popularity in the early 1800s as more and more settlers arrived from Europe. By the mid-19th century, Christmas was firmly established as a major festival in Australia.

Over time, Christmas has become a uniquely Australian festival, with its own unique customs and traditions. For many Australians, Christmas is a time to come together with family and friends, enjoy the warm weather, and celebrate the rich culture and history of the country.

What are some delicious Australian Christmas dishes?

Pavlova is a popular Christmas dessert in Australia. It is a meringue-based cake that is usually topped with whipped cream and fruit. The pavlova originates from New Zealand, but it has become very popular in Australia as well. It is often served at Christmas parties and gatherings.

A delicious Australian Christmas dessert called Pavlova

Pavlova is typically made with eggs, sugar, cornflour, vinegar, and vanilla extract. The meringue mixture is beaten until stiff peaks form, then baked in the oven until crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Once cooled, the pavlova is topped with whipped cream and fruit, such as strawberries, kiwifruit, or passionfruit.

Christmas in Australia is often celebrated with a traditional Christmas barbeque. This typically involves meats such as chicken, lamb, and beef, which are cooked on a barbie (barbeque). Vegetables such as potatoes, corn on the cob, and green beans are also usually served.

A barbeque is a great way to cook Christmas lunch or dinner because it allows everyone to socialize and relax while the food is cooking. Plus, there's no need to be stuck in the kitchen cooking for hours on end!

Some other popular Christmas dishes in Australia include roast turkey, Christmas pudding, mince pies, and fruitcake. Christmas pudding is a steamed or boiled pudding that is typically made with dried fruits, such as raisins, currants, and sultanas. It is usually served with brandy butter or custard.

Mince pies are small pies that are traditionally filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices known as “mincemeat”. However, these days they are often also made with beef or chicken. Fruitcake is a type of cake that is packed full of dried fruits and nuts. It is usually very dense and moist, and can be either light or dark in color.

What are some popular Christmas traditions in Australia?

Whilst not so much a tradition, the Christmas bush has become a national symbol of Christmas time as it is a native Australian plant that blooms at Christmas time. It is often picked and made into flower bunches and given as a gift or placed on the table at Christmas dinners and lunches. The bright red flowers of the Christmas bush are said to represent the blood of Christ.

Australian Christmas Bush or Ceratopetalum gummiferum

Another popular tradition is the giving of Christmas cards. Christmas cards are typically exchanged between friends and family members. They often feature festive images, such as Santa Claus, reindeer, or Christmas trees.

Christmas carols are also very popular in Australia. Carols by Candlelight events are held in parks and public spaces across the country, where people come together to sing Christmas carols by candlelight. These events are usually held on December 24th or 25th.

How to Have a Perfect Australian Christmas

6:00am Wake up and enjoy the Christmas morning sunshine.

7:00am Put on your swimmers and head to the beach for a Christmas swim.

9:00am Open your presents with family and friends.

10:30am Enjoy a traditional Christmas breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast.

12:00pm Start preparing Christmas lunch. Turkey, ham, roast vegetables… yum!

2:00pm Sit down to Christmas lunch with your loved ones.

4:00pm Have a post-lunch nap in the hammock.

6:00pm Watch the sun set over the water with a cold beer or glass of wine in hand.

8:00pm Christmas dinner time! Enjoy another feast with your family and friends.

10:30pm Time for some Christmas carols around the piano.

12:00am Midnight mass at the local church.

1:00am Head home and enjoy a quiet moment under the stars before heading to bed. Merry Christmas!

Christmas is a time of joy and celebration all over the world, and Australia is no exception. While the traditions may vary a bit from country to country, one thing seems to remain the same with Christmas – we love spending time with family and friends and eating delicious food. We hope you have enjoyed learning about how Australians celebrate Christmas.