Countries Where Christmas is a Summer Affair
Christmas is a beautiful festival that is somehow often associated with joy, the colours white and red and gifts, snow and, above all, winter season. But did you know that all countries do not celebrate Christmas during summer? Yes, that’s right. Not all countries celebrate a “white” Christmas, let alone, Christmas in cold weather. I am a Londoner who has always celebrated Christmas in the freezing cold weather. It took me by surprise when I learnt about the countries that have summer season during December. To make sense of this stunning anomaly, I did a li’l bit of research on these countries. The fact that these countries fall on the southern hemisphere explains why they have a sunny Christmas. Curious to know which are these countries? Read along.
Australia
I ought to mention Australia first for the obvious reason that it’s currently my home away from home. I live in Sydney, the most popular/populated city in the country. During winter, the Aussies make the most of the warm and pleasant weather by engaging in outdoor activities. On my first Christmas in Sydney last year, I even saw santas wearing shorts and other comfortable summer attire. Although it felt like a crime to me initially, I slowly convinced myself to accept this oddity.
Some of my colleagues invited me aboard a Christmas party harbour cruise in Sydney and it was uh-mazing! I got to meet some wonderful people aboard, who also told me the beaches were another go-to for merrymakers across the land. They even shared a roster of ideas and places I can go to for a photo-perfect Christmas experience in Sydney. I must say, Aussies are such sweethearts! But all thanks to the harbour cruise with Christmas party, I am now absolutely in love with the Aussies’ spirit of Christmas and their quirky ways of celebrating the festival.
New Zealand
Another country that welcomes Christmas in the middle of summer is New Zealand. Just like its neighbouring country Australia, Christmas here is spent mostly on the beaches or by going camping. Santa parades are a thing for the Kiwis and a lot of noise is created by the local bands and marching teams in the region, who take over the streets during the season.
Argentina
Christmas in Argentina is all about warm weather and great food. Unlike the westerners who go in search of a particular variety of trees to make their Christmas tree, Argentinians decorate any tree as one. From midnight mass and live music on the streets to special wine and dishes, there are several traditions that go a long way for Argentinians to celebrate Christmas in the right manner.
Brazil
Christmas is the festival that Brazilians welcome in the first days of summer! Dressed in their best summer attire, the people get ready for Christmas by decorating their Christmas trees and by sprinkling artificial snow everywhere. Some of the famous churches here host midnight masses too.
South Africa
South Africa, also in the southern hemisphere, celebrates Christmas during the summer season. If you’re in South Africa, you may expect a lot of sun on Christmas Day. Some of the most popular activities that South Africans do during this season include camping, observing family traditions, going on vacations, spending time at the beach and so on.
Madagascar
This remote island in Africa is another place that enjoys a warm Christmas. Even so, people make it look like it is the winter season by decorating their houses and surroundings with holly, snow, robins and more. Christmas carols are sung in their native language Malagasy.
Here are some more places that are known to celebrate Christmas in summer: Bolivia, Samoa, Comoros, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia and Angola. Curious to know more? Keep your eyes peeled to this space for more interesting facts and reads.
