Hosting the Perfect Christmas in July Party: Festive Fun with a Summery Twist

Who says Christmas cheer is only for December? Hosting a Christmas in July party is a brilliant way to spread festive joy during the warmer months. 

Whether you want to shake up your summer social calendar or just miss the magic of the festive season, here's how to plan the perfect mid-year Yuletide celebration, complete with twinkling lights, icy cocktails, and a dash of tinsel-covered fun.

Why Host a Christmas in July Party?

In the UK, we don't usually get snow on Christmas Day, so celebrating in July means you can enjoy the spirit of the season without worrying about frostbite. It’s a cheeky, cheerful way to bring people together for food, drink and festive games—without the pressures of gift-buying or crowded shops.

Setting the Scene: Decor Ideas

Go all out with a mash-up of festive and summery décor:

Christmas lights strung across your garden or your patio

Inflatable Santas in sunglasses

A beach ball “snowman” and palm trees wrapped in tinsel

Red and green bunting, fairy lights, and snowflake confetti on tables

You could even set a dress code: think Hawaiian shirts with Santa hats, or summer dresses with jingle bell jewellery.

Festive Food and Drink (with a Summer Spin)

Forget the heavy roast—this is your chance to reinvent traditional Christmas flavours with warm-weather flair:

Savoury ideas:

Turkey and cranberry sliders

Pigs in blankets on skewers with mustard dip

Cold roasted veggie platters with festive dips

BBQ with seasonal spice rubs (clove, cinnamon, ginger)

Sweet treats:

Frozen Yule log slices

Strawberry “Christmas puddings”

Mince pie ice cream

Drinks:

Frozen mulled wine slushies

Cranberry mojitos

Eggnog milkshakes

Mocktail punch with red fruits, mint and soda

Entertainment and Activities

What’s a Christmas party without games and music?

Festive karaoke with Christmas classics

A “Secret Santa” gift exchange with summer-themed presents

Christmas quiz with a twist, include questions about British summer holidays and Christmas traditions

Garden games like sack races, limbo, or “pin the nose on Rudolph”

You could even do a Christmas movie screening under the stars, think The Holiday or Elf with blankets and popcorn.

Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches

Send out playful invites—digital cards with a beachy Santa or snowflake sunscreen theme

Hand out Christmas cracker sunglasses or mini fans as party favours

Set up a “photo booth” with silly props like reindeer antlers and inflatable candy canes

Final Tip: Make It Charitable

Since Christmas is also about giving, consider adding a charity element. Ask guests to bring a donation for a local food bank or charity shop, ‘tis the season, even in July!

Whether you're roasting marshmallows instead of chestnuts or singing carols in your sandals, a Christmas in July party is the perfect excuse to add some sparkle to the summer. Go ahead—deck the halls (and the garden fence) and jingle all the way into your new favourite seasonal tradition!

The History of Christmas in July Celebrations

We just released a blogpost about celebrating Christmas in July. It's something my wife and I and some friends have done for years. 

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.

Planning a Christmas in July Party: A Mid-Year Festive Celebration

Who says Christmas magic is just for December? If you find yourself humming festive tunes in the middle of summer, you're not alone! 

Christmas in July is the perfect excuse to bring out the baubles, indulge in mince pies, and host a merry gathering — without the winter chill. 

Whether you're craving a second dose of Christmas cheer or simply love throwing themed parties, here’s your ultimate guide to planning a joyful Christmas in July celebration.

1. Pick a Theme with a Twist

Traditional Christmas decor meets summer sunshine — the beauty of Christmas in July is blending cosy with quirky. Here are a few fun theme ideas:

Tropical Christmas – Think Santa in sunglasses, palm tree fairy lights, and cocktails served in coconuts.

Retro Christmas Movie Night – Classic films like Home Alone, Elf, or The Muppet Christmas Carol under the stars or with indoor picnic vibes.

Christmas BBQ – Fire up the grill and serve turkey burgers, cranberry-glazed sausages, and chilled mulled wine.

2. Send Invites Early

July can be a busy month with holidays and family trips, so send invitations well in advance. Digital invites via email or WhatsApp work perfectly — just don’t forget to include the dress code if you want guests to don festive jumpers or Hawaiian shirts with Santa hats!

3. Deck the Halls... Lightly

You don’t need a full-blown grotto. Think summery takes on festive décor:

Fairy lights in jam jars

A table runner of holly and ivy with seashells or citrus fruits

Mini trees decorated with summery baubles and paper fans

Bonus: Use leftover decorations from last December for a sustainable twist!

4. Plan a Fun (and Festive) Menu

Serve classic Christmas dishes with a summer upgrade:

Cold roast turkey and ham platters

Festive salads (e.g. cranberry and goat’s cheese, or sage and roasted squash)

Frozen yule log or Christmas pudding ice cream

Iced mulled wine, sparkling elderflower, and summer-themed cocktails with festive names like “Jingle Juice”

5. Organise Games and Entertainment

Keep the party lively with:

A Christmas quiz

Secret Santa (with a £5-£10 limit for summer-themed gifts)

Pass the parcel with silly seasonal dares

Karaoke featuring Christmas hits and cheesy summer anthems

6. Create a Festive Playlist

Mix Mariah and Michael Bublé with upbeat summer classics. Your playlist could include:

All I Want for Christmas Is You

Last Christmas

Walking on Sunshine

Club Tropicana

Make sure it’s long enough to last the whole party — or better yet, let guests add their favourite tunes to a shared playlist.

7. Give It a Purpose

Christmas in July is also a lovely opportunity to give back. Consider supporting a local charity with a small fundraising game or collection, like a summer raffle or festive bake sale.

Final Thoughts:

Hosting a Christmas in July party is all about light-hearted fun, nostalgia, and celebrating the spirit of togetherness — without the pressure of December’s packed calendar. So grab your tinsel, whip up some eggnog slushies, and start spreading that mid-year cheer!