But apparently there's a major trend toward celebrating Christmas twice a year, in December and July.
So we decided to dig a little deeper into the history of celebrating Christmas in July.
While December is the traditional time for celebrating all things festive, there’s another yuletide tradition that’s been quietly gaining popularity across the globe: Christmas in July.
But where did this quirky mid-year celebration begin, and how did it evolve into the tinsel-covered phenomenon it is today?
A Southern Hemisphere Origin?
One of the most commonly cited explanations for Christmas in July comes from the Southern Hemisphere, particularly Australia and New Zealand. In these countries, December falls during the height of summer—complete with sunshine, barbecues, and beach days. For many, the traditional imagery of a "White Christmas" with snow, mulled wine, and roaring fires just doesn’t match the climate.
In the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, a group of Irish tourists were said to have requested a “Yulefest” at a local hotel in the 1980s to mimic the wintry celebrations of home.
The idea caught on, and soon July Christmas-themed events became an annual tradition, drawing tourists and locals alike to enjoy turkey dinners and festive decorations in the coldest part of the Australian winter.
An Earlier American Influence
Despite the Southern Hemisphere’s practical embrace of wintry Yuletide, the first documented instance of "Christmas in July" dates back to July 24, 1933, at a summer camp in North Carolina, USA. Camp Keystone, a girls’ summer camp, reportedly celebrated Christmas complete with a tree, gifts, and a visit from Santa Claus. The idea was likely designed to break up the monotony of the summer and bring some unexpected joy to the youthful campers.
Later, the phrase gained traction through popular culture. A 1940 Hollywood film titled Christmas in July, a screwball comedy about a man who mistakenly believes he's won a contest and goes on a gift-giving spree, helped embed the phrase in the public consciousness, though it wasn’t directly tied to holiday traditions.
Commercial and Retail Expansion
By the 1950s and 60s, retailers in the United States and other parts of the world began to latch onto the concept of Christmas in July as a clever marketing tactic. The lull in mid-year sales made it an ideal time to hold Christmas-style promotions, complete with decorated shopfronts, "half-off" deals, and even artificial snow displays in department stores.
Television networks and online retailers have also embraced the trend. For example, the American shopping channel QVC began airing its "Christmas in July" segment in the late 1980s, encouraging viewers to stock up early on holiday décor and gifts. In recent years, Amazon and other global e-commerce platforms have adopted similar seasonal sales events around the same time.
Modern Celebrations Around the World
Today, Christmas in July is celebrated in various ways:
In Australia and South Africa, themed dinners and winter festivities are popular.
In the UK and the US, it’s often used as a fun party theme or to promote charitable giving mid-year.
Online communities and social media influencers have turned it into a nostalgic celebration, complete with festive playlists, recipe swaps, and virtual gift exchanges.
Christmas-themed pop-up bars and events now bring a dash of December to July in urban centres across the world.
Why Do We Love It?
Ultimately, Christmas in July taps into the universal desire for joy, warmth, and connection—no matter the time of year. It offers a moment of whimsy in the middle of the calendar and reminds us that festive cheer doesn't need to be confined to December.
Whether you’re sipping eggnog on a sunny day or indulging in mince pies by the fire, Christmas in July is a delightful reminder that the spirit of the season is timeless.
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