Current Mood: Jolly AF!
Current Mood: Jolly AF!
When we say Christmas on the Gold Coast, what comes to mind? Fireplaces, hot and hearty food with mulled wine and piping hot eggnog to warm us from the inside out, and (cringe) matchy-matchy pj’s to warm us from the outside in? Sleigh whattttt? Oh soz, our bad – we left off a couple of key words: Christmas on the GC… IN JULY.
We have some seriously tree-mendous Christmas in July options here guaranteed to squelch the resting Grinch face in all of us – and we’re here to tell you all about them. So treat yo’elf and check out the following….
Bon Appetea Teahouse
Fancy a Christmas inspired high tea in a 1900s building with garden tables and a huge sprawling veranda? Yeah, us too! With Christmas carols, live music, mulled wine (eee), little pressies for guests (double eee) and loads of fairy lights, it’s pure Christmas (in July) perfection! Tickets are $80 for adults + $10 for a sneaky bubbles (treat yourself, after all Christmas only comes around.. twice.. a year) and $30 for the kidlets.
Where: 7 Johns Road, Mudgeeraba
When: Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 July
Distillery Road Markets (DRM)
DRM is transforming its outdoor entertainment precinct into a winter wonderland to host Trucks and Tunes – Christmas in July edition! Gather your gang and embark on a street food journey, devouring delicious food made onsite by the line-up of food trucks. Enjoy top notch tunes and support local makers by shopping up a storm with a great line up of local Artisan market stalls hosted by BrisStyle. With free entry and free parking, just YES!
Where: 124 Distillery Road, Eagleby
When: 4pm – 9pm Saturday 15 July
Aviary Rooftop Bar
Wrapped up neatly in another of their “Sessions” series is Aviary Rooftop Bar’s White Christmas event on Saturday 22nd July from 1pm to 3pm. Attendees will be delighted by a two hour food & bev package and some sweet live tunes. With a White Candy Cane martini on arrival, and later a heartwarming Egg Nog cocktail to tide your afternoon over, there will certainly be no issues getting into the festive spirit. Yule get to feast upon a spread fit for Santa and all his helpers, with yuletide high tea towers and a festive grazing station (suddenly the stretchy red trousers make so much sense). Elevate your experience (to rooftop level status) and also enjoy Aviary’s signature authentic Italian pizzas loaded with Chrissy-inspired toppings that are sure to be more lit than a Christmas tree. Guys, tickets are just $73.24pp… so we suggest you gift yourself a good time and book!
Where: Aviary Rooftop Bar, 5 Melia Court, Southport
When: Saturday 22nd July from 1pm to 3pm
Edgewater Dining
It would be rude-olf us to miss this waterfront gem off the list (if only Santa would bring us stunning water views this good on Christmas morning). Put a big ol’ circle around Wednesday 26 July in your calendar this faux festive season and partake in a 3-course, Christmas-themed share-style dinner for $89pp. There’s also prizes on offer, and definitely not your token pair of socks either, we’re talking proper wine and dining vouchers here folks. Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your appetite – and have a holly, jolly.. fun and festive evening.
Where: Shop 3 G7, Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri, Surfers Paradise
When: Wednesday 26 July
Dreamworld
We’re making this list, we’re checking it twice – and even though technically not “Christmas in July” specifically, a little taste of the wonder that is a European white Christmas still ticks the box as far as we’re concerned. Don the beanie (or don’t, because it’s the GC after all) and behold the winter wonderland that is Dreamworld’s Winterfest. Have a crack at ice skating on the full-sized rink ($15pp, or one session free for pass holders), enjoy winter themed shows and Euro inspired delights like waffles, pretzels and (most importantly) mulled wine available for purchase. If you’re the type to try a bit of everything – treat yourself to a Tasting Trail wristband (starting at $27.50pp). Sounds like a super cool day out to us!
Where: Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera
When: 10am – 5pm Mon-Sun, 24 June — 16 July
Drag Queen Bingo at Miami Marketta
Secure your Christmas packages and hold on to your jingle bells ‘coz the famous Drag Queen Bingo is back at everyone’s fave night market, Miami Marketta…Christmas style. Sleigh Queen! It doesn’t matter if you’ve been naughty or nice, this enchanting winter wonderland is an all-inclusive affair serving up endless lols. Featuring a lineup with names as big as the hairstyles – Dixie Wrecked, Ivyy Monroe, Shushu Funtanna and Kathy Pacific, this night will be the gift that keeps on giving #it’sgiving. Don’t be ‘elf-ish and tell your friends! Tickets start from $35.45pp.
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
When: 6.30pm Friday 21 July
The Collective
Tis the season (well, sorta kinda) and The Collective is here for it! Transforming into a Winter wonderland, you’re invited to rug up in your cringiest Christmas jumpers and nom your way around the globe at their annual Christmas in July shindig! The Chefs from Mazi, TaLA, Umami, Luckie’s & Italian Job are putting on a 4-course feast, with three hours of all inclusive beer, wine & speciality CC Christmas cocktail jugs from just $130.50pp. It’s beginning to feel a lot like.. all our Christmases have come at once.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
When: 6.00pm Friday 28 July
Greendays
Welcome to Christmas in July, Bali meets GC style (wow, these are really getting niche). Because who couldn’t use a little mid-year merriment and it’s scientifically impossible have a bad time situated in tropical surrounds with enough fairy lights to make the set of Mamma Mia! blush (unless of course you’re the Grinch, in which case, this may not be the list for you) #hohohoe into delicious food and drinks while local musician Saxophonist Ben Ferguson helps you settle into the swing of things with some sweet tunes. Bust out your favourite Christmas attire and get ready for a jolly good time for $106.14pp.
Where: 8/6 Ashmore Rd, Bundall
When: 6.00pm Friday 28 and Saturday 29 July
D’Arcy Arms
If one Christmas celebration isn’t enough (it’s not), get your festive on all July long at D’Arcy Arms Irish Pub! Once again transforming their digs into a festive wonderland with all the Chrissy feels, there will be a roaring fire, succulent Christmas roasts, traditional pudding with Brandy custard and Oh-HO so much more. Tuck in to a 2-course festive feed for $50 per adult and $25 per child.
Where: 2923 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
When: Throughout July
The Rooftop Lodge – Cali Beach
Ok, ok. So maybe it isn’t listed explicitly as a “Christmas in July” event either, but we really can’t resist the novelty of a wintery wonderland! And that’s exactly what Cali Beach has turned into this Winter. Treat yourself to a freshly roasted marshmallow (or three) over the fire pit, falling faux snow, over 60 snow-topped trees and an ice skating rink (if you can peel yourself away from the fire pit). We are THERE (and probs kicking back in one of the VIP igloos tbh).
Where: 21a Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: Friday – Sunday, all Winter long
Kids Weekend: Christmas in July
Don’t say we never give you anything, because our last gift to you is an entirely free line up of Christmas in July festivities set to hit Surfers Paradise this July. Okay so technically the GCCC is responsible for this gift, but we’re gonna make like Dads everywhere on Christmas morning and take the credit for this epic present. The Surfers foreshore is set to come alive with an open-air beachside ice rink (only in ‘straya), activities like cookie decoration and colouring-in and Christmas movies (please be Love Actually). Mosy through the winter markets and stop by the Igloo Lounge, where you can enjoy live local music and treat yo-ELF to a delightful winter treat.
Where: Surfers Paradise foreshore, The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
When: Friday 28 to Sunday 30 July
Words by Bianca Trathen & Kellie Leader.