Christmas in Australia and New Zealand
So, how do people on the other side of the world celebrate Christmas? We explain why Christmas is celebrated Down Under in summer and what traditions there are at Christmas in Australia and New Zealand.
Christmas in Australia
It is hard to compare Christmas in Australia with that in Europe, simply because December Down Under is in summer, which means Christmas is celebrated in hot weather in shorts and a T-shirt.
But how can you get the Christmas mood going in summer? Quite easily with lots of Christmas decorations adapted to the warm temperatures. Fairy lights are hung everywhere, and Christmas trees are put up, although Australian Christmas trees are made of plastic and some are even inflatable. Even the beaches are decorated. You will hear plenty of Christmas carols being played – on the beach, too. But, of course, the closest you will get to a “White Christmas” is the white sand.
Australians go to all lengths to generate plenty of Christmas spirit despite the high temperatures. If you prefer it a little cooler in the festive season, spend Christmas in the Victorian Alps or the Blue Mountains.
But how is Christmas celebrated in Australia?
As a parliamentary monarchy under the British Crown, Australia celebrates Christmas on 25 December, like Great Britain. “Christmas Eve”, 24 December, is a normal working day but, in some families, there is a big Christmas dinner in the evening. On Christmas Eve, some Australians also attend a church service in the evening or at midnight or sing “Carols by Candlelight”, with people gathering in the evening in parks, in the cities or on the beach to sing Christmas carols by the light of thousands of candles.
On the morning of 25 December, “Christmas Day”, the presents that Santa Claus brought overnight with his reindeer are unwrapped. Afterwards there is a hearty breakfast, with family, friends and relatives coming together later. “Christmas Crackers” are another tradition: pulling apart with a bang, they contain confetti and often small toys, jokes or other fun things.
Christmas lunch in Australia is just as sumptuous as in the much cooler UK and also often features the traditional roast turkey and plum pudding. But fish and seafood are also a mainstay of the Aussie Christmas feast in a nod to the very un-British weather.
On the following day, Boxing Day, many families then take a trip to the beach or a have BBQ. Since the shops reopen on 26 December with the start of the “Boxing Day Sale”, many Australians also simply go shopping on this day.
Christmas in July
In addition to the classic Christmas in December, Australians celebrate Christmas once again in July, but why? July is winter in Australia, so the temperatures are also a bit cooler. Many families then organise another Christmas dinner with roast meat and warm drinks – everything that is not possible in December. In cities like Sydney and Canberra, there are even Christmas markets with artificial snow in July and August, and in the Blue Mountains, Yulefest takes place from June to August – all under the motto “Christmas in July”. Europeans who have emigrated to Australia are especially happy about this tradition.
Christmas in New Zealand
Just like in Australia, Christmas in New Zealand is celebrated in summer with very warm temperatures. Since New Zealand, like Australia, is a parliamentary monarchy under the British crown, Christmas with Santa Claus is also celebrated there on 25 December. However, as well as adopting a few traditions from Great Britain, New Zealand has a few very special festive customs of its own.
The Christmas season in New Zealand kicks off with the “Pohutukawa” blossom festival. The “Pohutukawa” tree blooms right at the beginning of the Christmas season and, once the bright red flowers appear, cities and towns in New Zealand host this festival, which includes Māori cultural performances, picnics, concerts and more. The Pohutukawa tree is often referred to as the New Zealand Christmas Tree, as some New Zealanders also use it as a substitute for the classic Christmas tree.
Christmas decorations in New Zealand can vary. Some New Zealanders decorate their houses in the classic way with fairy lights, wreaths and an artificial Christmas tree. Others, on the other hand, decorate their houses only with bright colours, summery motifs and fairy lights in the shape of pohutukawa flowers.
At the beginning of the Christmas season, cities such as Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington host huge Christmas parades known as the “Santa Parades”. The most famous of these is the Auckland Santa Parade.
Another big celebration takes place in New Zealand in the run-up to Christmas: the famous “Christmas in the Park” in Auckland and Christchurch. Many well-known bands perform at this festival, and there is food, drinks and much more. Other smaller events take place in many towns and cities in New Zealand, but these resemble town fairs more than Christmas markets.
How is christmas celebrated in New Zealand?
Christmas itself is celebrated in a similar way to Australia. 24 December is a normal working day in New Zealand with some New Zealanders going out to eat or having a small family dinner in the evening. Christmas is only really celebrated on 25 December, “Christmas Day”. On the night from Christmas Eve to Christmas day, Santa Claus brings the presents, which can then be unwrapped on the morning of the 25th. During the day, many New Zealanders go to the beach and enjoy the sun, gathering in the evening for the big Christmas feast – many people in New Zealand organise a BBQ in the garden, on the beach or in parks. You can eat fish, fresh seafood, grilled dishes, oysters, salads and the traditional pavlova, a meringue cake with whipped cream and fresh fruits such as kiwis and berries.
But Māori traditions are also often part of the Christmas festivities, and some people prepare traditional hāngī food. The term comes from the Māori and refers to a way of cooking in which food is cooked in an earth oven. In addition, the haka, a traditional Māori dance, is often performed at Christmas gatherings.
Many people use 26 December for leisure activities such as kayaking, swimming, hiking or attending sporting events. Just as in Australia, the day after Christmas is known as “Boxing Day” and a big sale also starts in New Zealand on this day, which attracts many people to New Zealand’s shops and stores.
Like in Australia, there is also a tradition in New Zealand of singing Christmas carols by candlelight in the open air. For “Carols by Candlelight”, New Zealanders come together in parks and public places.
More information about Australia and New Zealand
Would you like more information about Australia or New Zealand? Then just read on:
FAQs: Christmas in Australia and New Zealand
Christmas is celebrated in Australia, as it is in Great Britain, on 25 December.
On December 24, there will be a small family dinner. On 25 December, the presents that Santa Claus brought overnight are unwrapped in the morning. On this day, family, friends and relatives come to visit. On 26 December, Boxing Day, many Australians go shopping as stores attract customers with hefty discounts.
In Australia, Santa Claus brings the gifts on the night of 24-25 December.
Since Australia is in the Earth’s southern hemisphere, the seasons are exactly the opposite of the European ones. This means that December is summer in Australia. However, Australians celebrate Christmas again in July, because this when it is winter for them. Families often organise a Christmas dinner with roast meat and warm drinks.
Since July is winter in Australia, many Australians celebrate Christmas again. In cities like Sydney and Canberra, there are even Christmas markets with artificial snow in July and August. But many people also organise a Christmas dinner with roasts and warm drinks.
In New Zealand, there is a mixture of Christian traditions and those of the Māori. For example, some people prepare traditional hāngī food. At Christmas gatherings, Māori also often perform a traditional dance called haka. In addition, the blossoming of the pohutukawa tree heralds the Christmas season in New Zealand. The tree is also considered to be the New Zealand Christmas tree.
Since New Zealand is in the Earth’s southern hemisphere, December is in summer and therefore Christmas is celebrated in summer.
Yes, people in New Zealand celebrate Christmas, but like in the UK, on 25 December. Not to forget, of course, that December is summer in New Zealand.