Christmas Day in Australia
December 25 is a nationwide public holiday in Australia. From backyard barbecues and beach cricket to midnight church services and traditional puddings, Christmas in Australia blends classic traditions with distinctly Australian summer flavours.
Christmas Day Date for 2025
| Name | Date | Day | Holiday Type | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Day | 25 Dec | Thursday | Public holiday | All |
Are Businesses Closed?
Christmas Day is a public holiday. Businesses, offices, and shopping centers are closed.
Are Schools Closed?
Schools are closed throughout the Christmas and New Year. This period is included in the summer school holidays in Australia. Schools open with their new term only at the end of January or early February.
How Australians celebrate Christmas - the essentials
1. Outdoors, beaches and barbecues
Because Christmas falls in the middle of the Australian summer, many families head to the beach, rivers or national parks. A backyard barbecue - often featuring prawns (shrimp on barbie, if you like), smoked salmon, cold ham and salads - is a very common Christmas Day meal. Beach cricket and lawn games are popular ways to burn off the Christmas lunch.
2. Christmas lunch and food traditions
Traditional European dishes such as roast turkey, glazed ham and Christmas pudding are still served in many households, but lighter and cooler options are widespread. Typical Australian Christmas menus often include:
- Prawns and other seafood
- Cold meats and salads
- Pavlova, trifle or fruit-based desserts
- Ham glazed with honey or pineapple
3. Carols, church services and community events
Community carol services - such as Carols by Candlelight - are a key part of the season. Many families also attend midnight or Christmas morning church services. Major cities and towns host free carol nights, pageants and light displays through December.
Schools and day care centers also host a Carol day for the families during the season.
4. Decorations and Santa
Homes are decorated with Christmas trees, lights and nativity scenes. Santa Claus is a central figure for children; you'll find him at shopping centres, community events and sometimes in beachwear at coastal towns.
Regional and cultural variations across Australia
Australia is multicultural, and celebrations vary by family background and location:
- Families with British roots often keep roast dinners and Christmas crackers.
- European and Mediterranean-Australians may add seafood, special pastries or regional desserts.
- Asian-Australian communities sometimes include traditional foods from their heritage alongside standard Christmas dishes.
- Indigenous Australians may celebrate with family and community gatherings that blend Christian, modern and traditional practices.
Similarities with Christmas celebrations around the world
Despite its summer timing, many core elements of Christmas in Australia are the same as in other Christian-majority countries:
- Decorations (trees, lights, wreaths)
- Gift-giving and Santa Claus visits
- Church services, carols and nativity plays
- Family and community gatherings
Let's not forget to thank Santa who happily wears all that bulky winter clothes in the Australian summer to keep up this iconic tradition.
Key differences compared with other countries
Season and weather
The biggest difference is climate: while much of the Northern Hemisphere has wintery Christmas imagery (snow, fireplaces, heavy coats), Australians celebrate in summer heat. This changes everything from clothing to food and activities.
Food and dining style
Many Australians prefer lighter, chilled or grilled foods rather than steaming roasts and hot puddings - though many households combine both approaches (hot mains and cold sides/desserts).
Outdoor focus
Outdoor activities such as beach trips, picnics and barbecues are much more common in Australia than in countries where snow and sub-zero temperatures define the season.
Sporting traditions
Boxing Day cricket (Test matches) and yacht races are signature Australian sporting traditions during the Christmas period and are not typical in much of the rest of the world.
Seasonal retail and travel patterns
Because December is school holiday season in Australia, many families travel domestically. Post-Christmas sales (Boxing Day sales) are a major shopping event similar to Black Friday in other countries.
Practical tips for visitors and newcomers
- Bring sunscreen, hat and water if you're outdoors on Christmas Day.
- Expect shops, banks and most businesses to be closed on 25 December; plan essentials in advance.
- If attending a carol service or church, check local listings for times - many events are popular and free for the public.
- Public transport often runs on a holiday timetable on Christmas Day and Boxing Day - check your local transport provider.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is Christmas a public holiday across all Australian states?
Yes - Christmas Day (25 December) is a public holiday in every Australian state and territory.
Do shops open on Christmas Day?
Most shops and services are closed on 25 December. Some restaurants, hotels and petrol stations may operate limited hours - check locally in advance.
What is Boxing Day and how do Australians celebrate it?
Boxing Day (26 December) is a public holiday in most states and is associated with sporting events (Test cricket, yacht races), big retail sales and visiting friends and family.