Coming Soon: Christmas in July Is Bringing Euro Winter Vibes Back to The Rocks with Snowflakes, Raclette and Mulled Wine
Grab yourself a cup of cocoa and take a stroll around this dazzling Euro-style festive market that's landing at The Rocks this winter.
Dust off your mittens and channel your après-ski chic — Christmas in July is returning to The Rocks this winter for the first time since 2019, and it's set to be a cosy and deliciously cheesy winter wonderland.
Running from Friday, July 11–Sunday, July 20, the ten-day festival will once again transform the historic harbourside precinct into a twinkling festive village. You'll find fairy-lit laneways, towering nutcrackers, a pine forest and the scent of fondue wafting through cobblestone streets awash with snowfall — plus, it's free to enter.
Inspired by traditional European Christmas markets, Christmas in July is pulling out all the stops for its comeback edition. The star attraction is Snow Lane — a dreamy trail lined with real pine trees and fluttering snow machines, glowing wooden chalets and more fairy lights than your camera roll can handle. Add in roaming musical performers, over 15 live concerts and The Rocks Jazz Sessions turning festive on Thursday nights, and you've got the recipe for peak winter escapism.
Food, naturally, is a major drawcard, and over 20 pop-up eateries will be slinging cold-weather classics: bubbling raclette, gooey fondue, Austrian schnitzels, gnocchi, giant German-style hot dogs and even lobster rolls. For dessert, you can warm up with cinnamon scrolls, crêpes, French pastries and sugar-dusted waffles.
It's not a Euro Christmas market without hot drinks, and there are plenty on offer to keep you fuelled as you roam the streets. Expect spicy, citrusy mulled wine, next-level hot chocolate stations with mountains of toasted marshmallows and whipped cream, as well as plenty of other winter warmers.
And if you need a breather between bites, make a beeline for the artisan market. Here, you'll find snow globes, handmade ceramics, woolly winter wear and pantry items worthy of a Euro chalet kitchen — the ultimate browse-with-a-cup-of-cocoa setup.
"In the northern hemisphere, Christmas is all about celebrating the beauty of winter, gathering with loved ones, sharing comforting food, sipping warm drinks, and enjoying music under sparkling lights," says Festival Director Vincent Hernandez. "It's wonderful to see Australians embracing that same spirit through Christmas in July, right here, in the heart of our winter."
Christmas in July takes place at The Rocks from Friday, July 11–Sunday, July 20. For more information, head to the event's website.
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