Christmas and sporting events take turns to light up Melbourne, making summer here sizzling hot

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

Want to lie on the beach, wearing shorts and bikinis, and celebrate Christmas with family and friends? Here’s another option—head to the Southern Hemisphere. From December each year to February the next, it’s summer in Melbourne. Just like in Europe, Melbourne’s Christmas celebrations have already begun, but instead of people bundled up in coats, you’ll see them in summer outfits and even bikinis—what a cool sight!

From November through March of the following year, Melbourne hosts a series of Christmas and New Year celebrations, along with major sporting events such as the Grand Slam of the Asia Pacific – the Australian Open, the JBWere Golf Classic, the Phillip Island Round Superbike World Championship, and the Festival of Sails, one of Australia’s oldest sporting events, which gathers hundreds of yachts and features various seaside festivities. During the Christmas season, there are plenty of competitive events, and the beaches are dotted with bikini-clad beauties, creating an explosive Melbourne-style summer vibe.

On the highlight night of Christmas Eve, Federation Square becomes the stage for festive celebrations. Locals often gather here with family and friends to watch Christmas movies, join in caroling activities, and more. Every year on Christmas Eve, the big screen at Federation Square also features a LIVE broadcast of the Candlelight Choir’s Christmas carols performance.

Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve countdown is also spectacular. Many people bring picnic mats to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Yarra Park to join in the festive cheer. The fireworks show, which starts at 9:30 pm, is projected onto giant screens at St Paul’s Cathedral, the State Library, and the National Gallery of Victoria, using unique projection art to showcase the essence of Melbourne, taking the festive atmosphere to new heights.