When winter settles on the Blue Mountains, the region revives a 40-year tradition: Yulefest, or Christmas in July. Historic guesthouses, tearooms and hotels across Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath lay on roast turkey feasts, log fires, carols, mulled wine and even the occasional Santa — a cosy, cold-weather Christmas two hours from Sydney. Yulefest 2026 runs across July 2026, with feast nights every Saturday and daily sittings at some venues.
How it works
Yulefest isn’t one event but a season — venues like the Fairmont Resort, the Carrington and Bygone Beautys each run their own festive dinners and high teas (Saturdays 4, 11, 18 and 25 July, plus daily sittings 20–31 July at some tearooms). Book directly with your chosen venue; they sell out on winter weekends.
Make a weekend of it
Pair a Yulefest feast with the mist-wrapped lookouts of Echo Point and Lincoln’s Rock, and the region’s waterfalls running full after winter rain. See more Blue Mountains lookouts.
