The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Season in Australia for International Students

There is a reason why they call it “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and you know it already, we are talking about Christmas.

It is that time of year that many people look forward to spending time with family and friends.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, and it is a public holiday in Australia. But usually the Christmas season or the festive season in Australia goes from late November to mid-January.

Most schools, colleges and universities are closed during the Christmas holidays. And many international students who decide to stay back in Australia during these holidays look forward to celebrating, catching up with friends and doing many other activities.

Many retailers offer discounts during this time, shops are full of decorations such as lights and trees, many people exchange gifts as well.

This ultimate guide will provide you with everything you need to know about Christmas Season in Australia for international students, including some useful tips on how to get into the festive spirit!

Top 7 Christmas Traditions in Australia

With Christmas just around the corner, it is time to prepare for the festivities with some of Australia’s most popular Christmas traditions including:

Carols by Candlelight: This event has been going on for over 100 years and has become one of the most popular Christmas traditions in Australia. Thousands of people gather at Sydney’s Domain or Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens to sing and enjoy a night under the stars with their loved ones. The event features a range of carols including traditional favourites like Silent Night and Away in a Manger as well as modern songs like O Holy Night. The event is free, but donations are welcome to support charities such as The Salvation Army.
Feast on roast lamb: Christmas wouldn’t be complete without roast lamb, which is often accompanied by potatoes, carrots, parsnips, mint sauce and gravy! Australians also love making traditional desserts such as plum pudding with brandy sauce, or English Christmas puddings and plums. New Year’s Eve dinner would be complete without champagne!
Christmas party: A traditional festive Christmas party is a great way to start the season with friends and family, whether you’re planning a themed bash or hosting a more casual get-together. Decorate your tree, choose your favourite Christmas songs and prepare some decorations to spruce up the party space. Don’t worry if you don’t plan to have one yourself, there are usually many street parties you can join on Christmas Day as well.
Visit Santa Claus: Australia’s iconic Santa has been visiting children all over the country for generations, so it’s no wonder he is such an important part of many Christmas celebrations. Although Australian Santa looks bit different than one in the northern hemisphere due to its warm weather.
Head to the beach: If you have a pool in your house, that’s great but if not, head to nearby beach for summer fun. Going to the beach on Christmas Day is quite an Australian tradition. If going to beach isn’t your thing, then head outside to watch the sunset and enjoy some quiet time with your friends or partners.
Road trip: Many locals will take an opportunity of a holiday to go for a long drive during Christmas season. It could be a day trip or a long holidays over the entire school holidays. So why not pack your bags and ask your mates to go on a long drive.
Enjoy Boxing Day: Boxing Day falls on 26th December, just a day after Christmas and in Australia, it is a big deal. You can either watch a cricket match at MCG, or catch Sydney Hobart Yatch race or shop till you drop on Boxing Day sales.

Top 5 Christmas Foods You Should Try in Australia

No festivities are complete without food and Christmas is no different. While you are in Australia, try some of these popular Australian Christmas food items:

Pavlova: It is Australia’s iconic Christmas desert that you must try. It is one of the most disputed desert as both New Zealand and Australia claim that they invented this dish.
Christmas Ham: No Christmas is complete in Australia without some glazed Christmas Ham. Australians like to serve this cold though as they cook it couple of days before Christmas.
Christmas Pudding: This desert is packed with dried fruits and a bit of rum, topped with vanilla custard. These days, vegan options are also available in the local supermarkets.
Potato Bake: A bake of potatoes, cream, cheese, butter, garlic and breadcrumbs. It is a perfect accompaniment for the roast or BBQ.
BBQ: Australian BBQ is world-famous, and you can literally throw anything on it. From chicken thighs to lamb skewers to steaks to zucchini fritters or capsicum. There is something for everyone.

Cool Christmas Gift Ideas for International Students

If you are planning to get a gift for a family or friend as an international student in Australia or you are going to give a gift to a friend who is an international students, then here are some cool gift ideas:

Travel Journal to pen down their experiences
A set of Australian board games
A set of international cookbooks
A passport holder or a leather travel wallet
Beauty and a skincare product like Australian made soap or massage oil (e.g. Markyeestudio)
An international language learning program (e.g. Rosetta Stone)
An Australian music compilation album (e.g. Just The Hits: Roadtrip)
Portable Rechargeable Speaker (e.g. JBL Charge or Ultimate Ears Boom)
Aussie Snacks Gift Basket (e.g. Snack Box Hamper])
Portable Coffee Maker or Smoothie Maker
International Currency Conversion Calculator
Reusable Water Bottle
A world map scratch poster
A set of Australian coins (e.g. Vegemite Centenary Coin)
A personalised mug with a picture of the two of you together
A pair of Australian-themed earrings
A set of Australian themed postcards.
A subscription to a streaming service like Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime
A subscription to an international magazine like National Geographic

An last but not least, if you are still stuck, then getting a gift card might be the last option. Shopback or Cashrewards might be the best shot as they usually offer a cashback on their gift card purchases as well.

Popular Christmas Activities in Australia for International Students

While most of the things and attractions are usually closed on Christmas Day, there are things you can do around Christmas season.

Let’s look at some of the popular activities to do in Australia for international students during Christmas season:

Top 5 Things To Do In Sydney During the Christmas Season

Here are some of the best things to do in Sydney during Christmas:.

Celebrate Christmas at Taronga Zoo (Open on Christmas and New Years)
Enjoy the lights at the Royal Botanic Garden
Visit most famous Christmas Tree in Sydney at the Martin Place
Shop at the The Rocks Christmas Markets
Enjoy sparkling Christmas at the Darling Harbour

Top 5 Things To Do In Melbourne During the Christmas Season

Melbourne is a city that lives and breathes Christmas, with the festive cheer even extending to the city’s top attractions. Here are some of the best places to visit around Melbourne during Christmas.

Visit a Christmas market (e.g. Queen Victoria Market)
Watch a Christmas movie at the cinema
Catch a glimpse of Myer’s Christmas window
Take part in Carols by Candlelight
Catch free public transport on Christmas Day and explore around Victoria.

Top 5 Things To Do In Brisbane During the Christmas Season

Brisbane is a place that is full of Christmas cheer. The city has many activities and events to offer during the festive season. Here are the top 10 things that you should do in Brisbane this Christmas.

Watch the South Bank Christmas Show
Get into the spirit of Christmas by visiting one of Brisbane’s many markets, such as the Redcliffe Rotary Markets or the Hillcrest Country Markets. You can head towards Queen Street Mall in the CBD for Christmas fun.
Get your hands on some beautiful handmade crafts from one of Brisbane’s many craft markets such as Bowen Hills Craft Market or West End Craft Market.
Catch Christmas Lights at the Queensland’s Government House
Watch a free movie at Christmas Cinema in Southbank.

Top 5 Things To Do In Perth During the Christmas Season

Here are some of the popular things to do during the Christmas season in Perth:

Christmas at Kings Park
Christmas Markets at City Square
Carols by Candlelight at Perth Town Hall
Catch Christmas Light Trails across Central Perth and Northbridge
Elizabeth Quay Fun Fair

Top 5 Things To Do In Adelaide During the Christmas Season

Here are the top 5 things to do in Adelaide during the Christmas season.

Adelaide’s Giant Christmas Tree in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga
Lighting Lanes in the city (Vaughan Place and Peel Street)
Head to the city for Christmas shopping in local markets
The Nutcracker at the State Theatre Company of SA
Watch Rundle Mall’s Christmas Window Display

Top 5 Things To Do In Canberra During the Christmas Season

Here are the top 5 things to do in Canberra during the Christmas season:

Attend Christmas in the city with musical performances and entertainment
Go to Christmas Village Markets at Haig Park Village Markets
Have a splash at Canberra Aqua Park
Head to Canberra Centre for some Santa photos.
Go see a movie at one of Canberra’s theatres.

Top 5 Things To Do On The Gold Coast During the Christmas Season

Our pick of Top 5 things to do on the Gold Card during the Christmas Season:

Christmas at the Sanctuary Cove
Attend Skypoint’s Magical Christmas event
City of Gold Coast Mayer’s Christmas Carols
Visit Surfers Paradide Twilight Markets
Attend White Christmas at the Movie World

Top 5 Things To Do In Hobart During the Christmas Season

Below are the top 5 things to do in Hobart during the Christmas season.

Attend a Christmas event in the city area.
Watch a movie at the State Cinema
Visit Salamanca Market for some delicious food stalls and artisan goods.
Take a ride on one of the awesome cruises into harbour cruise or a cruise out into Storm Bay.
Explore some of Tasmania during the holiday season

Top 5 Things To Do In Darwin During the Christmas Season

If you’re looking for some inspiration on where to go in Darwin during the Christmas season, here is our pick for top 5 things to do:

Take a walk down The Esplanade and admire the lights
Christmas Carols in the Darwin Mall or Nightcliff Foreshore Carols by the Sea
Get festive at the Darwin Christmas Markets
Join Santa Fun on Wheels event. (Don’t forget to bring your bicycle).
Pop in to Santa’s village, at the corner of Smith Street Mall and Raintree Park

So what’s open on a Christmas Day in Australia?

It is only for 1 day but it might feel like forever.

But it is a fact that most of the things will be closed on Christmas Day in Australia. So usually you won’t have access to your typical retails stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, bottle shops and many food outlets as well on Christmas Day.

We went and did some digging on what’s usually open in each of the major cities in Australia on a Christmas Day. Let’s have a look

What’s open on a Christmas Day in Sydney?

Taronga Zoo
Sydney Zoo
Sea Life Aquarium Sydney
Wilf Life Sydney Zoo
BridgeClimb
Cinemas like Event, Hoyts, Palace
Some Fast food outlets like McDonalds, Dominos and Red Rooster

What’s open on a Christmas Day in Melbourne?

Melbourne Zoo
Peninsula Hot Springs
Sea Life Aquarium Melbourne
Cinemas like Hoyts, Palace, Classic, Lido and Cameo
Some Fast food outlets like McDonalds, Dominos and Red Rooster

What’s open on a Christmas Day in Brisbane?

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Wheel of Brisbane
Mt Coot-tha Lookout
Cinemas like Cineplex, Hoyts and Event
Some Fast food outlets like McDonalds, Dominos and Red Rooster

What’s open on a Christmas Day in Perth?

Perth Zoo
Whiteman Park
Cinemas like Event, Hoyts
Some Fast food outlets like McDonalds, Dominos and Red Rooster

What’s open on a Christmas Day in Adelaide?

Adelaide Zoo
Monarto Safari Park
Botanic Gardens
Cinemas like Event, Hoyts
Some Fast food outlets like McDonalds, Dominos and Red Rooster

What’s open on a Christmas Day in Gold Coast?

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Sea World Cruises
Cinemas like Event cinemas
Some Fast food outlets like McDonalds, Dominos and Red Rooster
Some other popular restaurants

What’s open on a Christmas Day in Canberra?

Cinemas like Palace Cinema
Some Fast food outlets like McDonalds, Dominos and Red Rooster

What’s open on a Christmas Day in Hobart?

Wellington Park
Royal Botanical Gardens
No Cinemas are open
Some Fast food outlets like McDonalds, Dominos and Red Rooster

What’s open on a Christmas Day in Darwin?

Crocosaurus Cove
Croc Explorer
Some Fast food outlets like McDonalds, Dominos and Red Rooster

We suggest you to check the timing of some the attractions mentioned above before rocking up there as some of them open later on Christmas Day.

Work for International Students during the Christmas Season

While Christmas is celebrated throughout Australia and you can easily get into the festive spirit, there are many opportunities to pick up some extra work hours as well.

And as there are no restrictions on work hours for international students till 30th June 2023 in Australia, it might be the perfect time to make some extra dollars during the Christmas Season.

Christmas Casuals

Many retailers usually start hiring “Christmas Casuals” from October onwards, but it’s never too late to try for it.

So first thing first, what is a Christmas Casual?

Christmas Casual is a person hired specifically during the Christmas season to help businesses meet the extra demand due to the festive season. And after the Christmas season is over, these Christmas Casual jobs roles will finish as well.

Although, sometimes if the businesses like your work ethics and professionalism, they can even hire you on an ongoing part-time basis as well.

Popular Christmas Casual Job Roles

During the Christmas season, there are various types of job roles available for students, including:

Packing staff
Warehouse staff
Sales team members
Waiters
Bartenders
Retail staff
Supermarket staff
Tour guides
Delivery drivers

To undertake some of these jobs, you might need to complete some short courses like RSA etc. We have a complete guide on short courses for international students here.

Where to look for these job roles?

You can look up for these Christmas Casual jobs roles on various job websites like:

Seek
Indeed
Jora
Studentjobboard

You can also look up on the website of popular retailers like:

Kmart
Target
Myer
David Jones
Coles
Woolworths

Otherwise, we also suggest you keep an eye out for window displays of the shops and restaurants around your area.

If you can’t find any such jobs, then you can consider signing up as a delivery driver with various apps like Uber Eats in Australia.

You can read our complete guide on how to sign up with Uber Eats.

Conclusion

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, but if you are in Australia, you can’t go without noticing the festive vibes around you during this Christmas season.

We hope this guide helped you understand everything about Christmas in Australia for international students.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Please note that there are affiliate links included in this article, which means we may be compensated if you purchase via those links. It is at no extra cost to you but helps and supports our business.

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