Christmas in July in the Blue Mountains, for up to 12
Yulefest is the Blue Mountains’ winter Christmas season. Stonelinks gives your group a house of its own for it: two gas fireplaces, a dining table that seats 12, a kitchen with double ovens and a seven-person outdoor spa, in Leura beside the golf course.
Six bedrooms, about 90 minutes from Sydney.
A Blue Mountains winter tradition
Christmas in July, known here as Yulefest, is one of the Blue Mountains’ best-known winter traditions. The story usually told is that it began in the early 1980s, when visitors from Ireland found that a cold mountain winter felt more like Christmas at home, and a local hotel put on a Christmas dinner for them.
Each winter, especially in July, hotels, restaurants and guesthouses across the mountains put on Christmas lunches and dinners, and there are winter markets in several villages.
Cook a Christmas dinner for the whole group
- A full kitchen with double ovens, gas cooktop, dishwasher and espresso machine
- A dining table that seats 12, plus a round breakfast table by the doors to the loggia
- Two lounges with gas fireplaces, and ducted heating through the whole house
- Heated bathroom floors for cold mornings
- A covered loggia with BBQ, and a seven-person outdoor spa on the deck
- Board games, books, Wi-Fi and Netflix
Yulefest close to the house
Dates change every year, so check these before you book.
Fairmont Resort
The Fairmont, a short stroll along Sublime Point Road, puts on Yulefest celebrations in winter. Dates and bookings go up on the resort’s What’s On page.
Winter Magic Festival
Katoomba marks the winter solstice with a street festival: a costumed parade, more than 100 stalls, music and street theatre. Katoomba is about a five-minute drive away. This year’s date is on Visit NSW.
Yulefest across the mountains
Hotels, restaurants and guesthouses run Christmas lunches, dinners and markets through winter, and dates differ by venue. Start with the Visit Blue Mountains events calendar and the NSW Government Yulefest listing.
Snow is rare, but it does happen
The upper Blue Mountains get an occasional winter snowfall. You can’t plan for it, but this is Stonelinks after one.
More winter photos are in the gallery.
Good to know
- The house sleeps up to 12 across six bedrooms. See the bedrooms and bedding.
- Pack warm layers. Leura is noticeably colder than Sydney in winter, especially at night.
- If your group has a particular July weekend in mind, check availability early.
- Wi-Fi and mobile reception can drop in and out because of the bushland setting.
For more on cold-weather stays, see winter at Stonelinks. Bringing a crowd? See group stays, and for things to do, our Leura guide.
Plan a Christmas in July weekend
Check July dates and the exact price for your group on Airbnb. Questions first? Call Rob McDowell, our property manager, on +61 418 286 064.