Christmas down under
What Do Australians Wear at Christmas?
Christmas falls in summer. Dress for the heat, the lunch table and wherever the day takes you.
If you are used to cold-weather Christmases, the Australian version takes some adjustment. Christmas here falls in summer, during the long school holidays, so the day often means a swim at the beach, a long backyard lunch and plenty of time outdoors.
So what should you wear for Christmas in Australia? Light, breathable clothes that feel right for the occasion and comfortable through a long lunch. Think linen shirts, sundresses, tailored shorts, sandals and a festive colour if you feel like it.
The best outfit depends on whether you are heading to a family lunch, the beach, a restaurant or a work party. Here are the easy choices.
The short answer
- Christmas Day lunch: a linen shirt or sundress, shorts or light trousers, and sandals or clean sneakers.
- Christmas Eve dinner: a step smarter, such as a midi dress or open-collar shirt with loafers.
- Beach Christmas: swimwear with a shirt or cover-up for the walk to lunch.
- Boxing Day: the most casual day of the lot, with hats, sunscreen and comfortable shoes.
- Work Christmas party: smart casual with a festive detail, kept light for the heat.
A festive colour is optional. Staying comfortable in the heat is not.
How hot is Christmas in Australia?
It depends on the city. The Bureau of Meteorology’s long-term Brisbane Airport figures give a mean December maximum of 28.3°C, while Sydney Observatory Hill averages 25.3°C. Melbourne, Hobart and the southern coast can be noticeably cooler, and a hot day in any of them can still surprise you.
For a particular Christmas, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate outlook (the 15 October 2026 outlook says above-average days and nights are very likely across most of the country through to January) alongside the forecast for your destination. A national outlook cannot tell you exactly what Christmas Day will feel like.
Summer sun protection matters even when the temperature feels comfortable. Our Australian dress code guide explains why UV matters as much as temperature, and what Australians wear to deal with it.
What to wear for Christmas Day lunch
For many families, Christmas Day means a long lunch at home, sometimes outdoors, and often carrying a dish in from the car. Choose something that survives a few hours at a table in the sun.
Women
- a midi dress or sundress with flat sandals
- linen trousers with a sleeveless top and a touch of red or green
- a midi skirt with a simple tank
- a wide-brimmed hat if lunch is outside
Men
- a linen shirt with chinos or tailored shorts
- a polo with light trousers and clean sneakers or loafers
- short sleeves or loosely rolled sleeves both work; choose the more comfortable option
You can add Christmas colour without dressing like a decoration. A red top, green dress or crisp white shirt is plenty.
What to wear on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve can be a little dressier, especially if you are going to a restaurant or a service. Keep the fabrics light, then make the outfit smarter with the cut of your clothes and your shoes.
A bronze or satin skirt with a light top and block-heel sandals, or an open-collar shirt with tailored trousers and loafers, works for most restaurants. If you are going to a church service, choose something neat and comfortable, check the venue if you are unsure, and carry a thin cardigan in case the air-conditioning is strong.
What to wear to the beach on Christmas Day
If your Christmas starts at the beach, dress for swimming and sun protection first. You can change into lunch clothes later:
- swimwear under a linen shirt or cover-up
- shorts or a wrap skirt for the walk back
- sandals you can rinse sand from
- hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
If lunch is away from the beach, take a dry change of clothes. Sitting in damp swimwear is rarely comfortable.
What to wear on Boxing Day
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas: barbecues, the sales and, for many, the Boxing Day cricket Test at the MCG. Dress for comfort: shorts or light trousers, a loose cotton or linen top, a hat and shoes you can stand in for hours.
For a casual Boxing Day, comfort and sun protection matter more than dressing up. Heading to the cricket? Take a wide-brim hat, sunscreen and a light long-sleeved shirt for a full day in the stands, and see Melbourne in summer for the city’s changeable weather.
Christmas outfit ideas at a glance
| Occasion | What to wear |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day lunch | Linen shirt or midi dress + shorts or light trousers + sandals or clean sneakers |
| Christmas Eve dinner | Satin midi skirt or open-collar shirt + light trousers + block heels, flats or loafers |
| Beach Christmas | Swimwear + shirt or cover-up + sandals + hat and sunglasses |
| Boxing Day barbecue or cricket | Breathable top + shorts + hat + comfortable shoes |
| Church service | Neat, comfortable clothing + thin layer for air-conditioning |
| Work Christmas party | Smart casual with a festive detail + light fabrics |
| New Year’s Eve | Sequins or satin for the evening + comfortable shoes + thin layer if outdoors late |
What to wear to a work Christmas party
Work Christmas parties vary widely, so start with the venue and invitation. For a daytime lunch, a neat shirt and chinos or a midi dress and sandals may be enough. For evening drinks, add a smarter top, tailored trousers or a lightweight blazer. A festive colour is optional.
Our work Christmas party guide goes through lunches, rooftop drinks and evening venues, the corporate Christmas party guide covers client and formal functions, and our Christmas party guide covers everything else.
What about New Year’s Eve?
New Year’s Eve is another summer occasion, but the venue matters. Satin, a little sparkle, a relaxed suit or a good shirt can work for evening celebrations. Choose shoes you can stand in, and take a light layer if you will be outdoors late.
See our New Year’s Eve guide for outfit ideas.
Australian Christmas clothing FAQs
Do Australians wear Christmas sweaters?
Not often for an outdoor Christmas lunch. It is usually too warm. A festive T-shirt or a touch of red or green is an easier option.
Can I wear shorts to Christmas lunch?
Often, yes, particularly for a backyard barbecue or relaxed family lunch. For a restaurant or more formal gathering, check with the host before choosing shorts.
What should I pack for Christmas in Australia?
Light tops, a midi dress or two, shorts, light trousers, sandals, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear and one smarter outfit for dinner. Add a thin layer if you are heading to Melbourne, Tasmania or the southern coast.
Is Christmas Day hot everywhere in Australia?
No. Brisbane and the north are hotter and more humid, while Melbourne and the south can be cooler or changeable. Check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast for your destination before you pack.
What do Australians wear to Christmas Eve church services?
Neat, comfortable clothing is a sensible choice. Some services or congregations may have more specific expectations, so check if you are unsure. A light layer is handy for air-conditioning.
What colours do Australians wear at Christmas?
Red, green and white are popular, but you do not need to match. Add a single festive piece, or wear light summer colours.
What should I wear to Christmas lunch at a restaurant?
Polished summer smart casual: a midi dress or light trousers with a nice top, or chinos with a linen shirt, plus sandals, flats or loafers. Some restaurants are smarter on Christmas Day than usual, so check the booking details.
