In Australia, Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, right in the middle of summer. With warm weather and sunny skies, the holiday season is filled with outdoor festivities, beach gatherings, and a unique blend of traditional and modern customs that reflect Australia’s vibrant culture.
Since Christmas falls during the Australian summer, it’s not uncommon for families and friends to celebrate by heading to the beach. On Christmas Day, you’ll often see people enjoying a swim, playing cricket on the sand, or sharing a picnic by the water. Popular beach destinations like Bondi Beach and the Gold Coast host lively Christmas events, drawing crowds for sun, surf, and Santa sightings.
Christmas dinner in Australia is a delightful mix of traditional European dishes and fresh, seasonal favorites. While some families still enjoy the classic roast turkey and plum pudding, it’s just as common to find tables laden with lighter options like cold ham, salads, and fresh seafood—especially prawns, oysters, and lobsters. Many opt for barbecues in the backyard, where the grill sizzles with sausages, steak, and locally caught fish. For dessert, Australians enjoy Pavlova, a meringue-based treat topped with whipped cream and fresh summer fruits like strawberries, kiwi, and passionfruit.
Just like in other parts of the world, children in Australia eagerly await Santa Claus’s arrival on Christmas Eve, believing he’ll leave gifts under the Christmas tree. However, the Australian version of Santa has a unique twist: instead of being pulled by reindeer, Santa’s sleigh is sometimes depicted as being guided by six white boomers—large kangaroos that help him navigate the sandy terrain and hot climate. This charming image is captured in the popular Australian Christmas song “Six White Boomers,” which has become a beloved part of the holiday tradition.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Australian homes and streets are decorated with twinkling lights, ornaments, and festive greenery. Despite the warm weather, many decorations still follow a wintery theme, including images of snowflakes, reindeer, and Santa in his winter suit. Cities host “Carols by Candlelight” events, where families gather in parks and public spaces to sing traditional Christmas carols under the stars, lighting candles as a symbol of peace and goodwill.
The day after Christmas, December 26th, is known as Boxing Day—a public holiday in Australia. Many people spend the day at the beach or attending sporting events like the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne, a cricket tradition, or the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, which draws international attention. For others, it’s a day for shopping as stores offer significant post-Christmas sales, making it a popular time for bargains and family outings.
Australia’s Christmas traditions blend the best of both worlds—classic holiday customs and the relaxed, beachy lifestyle that defines the country. Whether it’s spending the day at the beach, enjoying a seafood feast, or singing carols under the summer stars, Australians have made Christmas their own, celebrating the season with warmth, joy, and a spirit of togetherness.
1/2 lb. plain flour 1/2 lb. breadcrumbs 1 lb. butter 1 lb. brown sugar 1 lb. currants 1/2 lb. raisins 1 lb. sultanas 1/2 lb. citron peel 9 eggs pinch salt 1/2 cup brandy 1/4 lb. almonds 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, well beaten, also brandy. Stir in all fruit and chopped blanched almonds. Add breadcrumbs, flour, soda, and spices. Bake in greased pudding basin, leaving sufficient room for rising. (The pudding can also be poured onto a piece of calico and tied securely with string.) Steam for 6 hours. This pudding can be made ahead of time, say two or three months if wished. This recipe makes two very large puddings; It is best divided into 3 portions. A half quantity takes 3 1/2 hours to cook. For heating pudding when required, boil slowly for 2-3 hours.
1/2 lb. butter 1/4 lb. white sugar 1/4 lb. brown sugar 4 eggs 4 tablespoons brandy 1/2 lb. raisins 1/2 lb. sultanas 1/2 lb. currants lemon peel and almonds to taste 10 oz. plain flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon cinnamon or allspice pinch of salt 1 tablespoon plum jelly
Cream butter and sugar, add eggs. Sift in half of flour and half of fruit, mix, then add rest of ingredients. Bake in an 8" tin 3 1/2 to 4 hours at 300 degrees.
The Pavlova is a dessert invented in Australia and named after the great ballet dancer Anna Pavlova. Pavlova is a wonderful summer holiday dessert - and therefore makes a regular appearance on many Australian Christmas menus:
3 egg whites 1 pinch of salt 3/4 cup of castor sugar 1/4 cup of white sugar 1 tablespoon of cornflour 1 teaspoon of lemon juice 300 ml / ½ pints of cream kiwifruit or strawberries for garnish
Preheat the oven to 150°C, 300°F or gas mark 2 (the temperature is reduced for baking). Beat the egg whites to a foam, add the salt and beat until soft peaks form which fold over when the beater is removed. Slowly beat in the castor sugar, beating well after each addition. Keep beating until the mixture is stiff and the peaks stand up when the beater is removed. Mix together the white sugar and corn flour. Lightly fold into the meringue with the lemon juice.
Line an oven tray with baking paper. Spread the meringue into a circle and pipe a decoration around the edge or swirl with a spoon if desired. Bake in a cool oven (80°C or 180°F) for 2 to 2½ hours. Turn off the heat and leave in the oven overnight to cool.
Top with whipped cream and decorate with sliced kiwifruit, sliced strawberries, passion fruit, or just about any tropical fruit, just before serving.
A biscuit or cookie originally sent in food parcels to Australian and New Zealand troops during the First World War when eggs were scarce, the Anzac (named after the term for Australian and New Zealand soldiers) has become a national favorite.
100 grams / 4 oz of butter 1 dessertspoon of golden syrup 1/2 cup of white sugar 3/4 cup of flour 3/4 cup of rolled oats 3/4 cup of coconut 1 teaspoon of baking soda 1 tablespoon of water
Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas mark 4. In a large saucepan melt the butter and golden syrup, then remove from the heat and cool. Add the white sugar, flour, rolled oats and coconut and mix thoroughly. Dissolve the baking soda in 1 tablespoon of water and add to the mixture. Line a baking tray with cooking paper. Roll small rounds of the mixture and place on the baking tray, remembering to allow room for the biscuits to spread. Flatten with a fork. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.