Christmas Down Under: Celebrating in Perth

Christmas in Perth might be different to what you'd expect - think hot weather, beach barbeques, and seafood feasts. The Christmas traditions here reflect Australia's summer season and relaxed outdoor lifestyle. The people of Perth love to get in the festive spirit, with shops selling decorations and playing festive music before December even begins! You may also notice Christmas lights going up around the suburbs, as people celebrate with impressive light displays on their homes. From these dazzling lights to cricket on the beach, there's so much to enjoy about a Christmas down under. 

A typical Christmas Day in Perth

Like many other countries, Christmas Day in Perth usually involves gatherings of family and friends where they exchange gifts and indulge in a Christmas feast! But with the weather being so warm, many people will spend time at the beach on Christmas Day. Lots of Perth beaches have barbeques available to use for free or a small fee, making them the perfect summer spot to celebrate. 

For Christians, attending a church service remains an integral part of Christmas Day, with churches and cathedrals across Perth offering special services to honour the occasion. 

Cricket is a popular activity that makes an appearance at many Christmas gatherings, whether that be backyard cricket or beach cricket. People often buy plastic cricket sets from the likes of Kmart, and set up to play a few games throughout the day with family and friends. 

Christmas Services in Perth

There are a range of churches and cathedrals with Christmas services in Perth, with some hosting on Christmas Eve and others on Christmas Day. We've included some options below.

St Mary's Cathedral is a Catholic church with several Mass times across Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:

Christmas Eve:

• 6pm: Children and Families' Nativity Mass
• 9pm: Solemn Christmas Vigil Mass
• 10:30pm: Lessons and Carols

Christmas Day:

• 12am: Midnight Solemn Pontifical Mass
• 8am: Dawn Mass of the Birth of Jesus Christ
• 9:30am: Christmas Day Mass
• 11am: Solemn Pontifical Mass of Christmas Day
• 5pm: Christmas Evening Mass

The Christmas Day Feast

The Christmas Day feast is usually a mix of traditional and summer-friendly foods. Since Christmas falls at the warmest part of the year in Perth, most Australian Christmas foods can be enjoyed cold. However many people like to keep traditions alive by enjoying a roast turkey and hot sides like roast potatoes and vegetables - usually in the comfort of their air-conditioned home! The feast usually includes:

• Roast turkey
• Fresh seafood like prawns
• Salads
• Barbequed meat like sausages, steaks, and kebabs
• Pavlova - Australia's favourite dessert made of meringue, summer fruits, and whipped cream

Christmas Day Weather

Perth has the opposite of a 'white Christmas' - it falls in the hottest period of the year! Temperatures can get to over 40°C, with the hottest Christmas Day on record being in 2021 when it reached 42.8°C. It's important to stay cool and protected from the sun, so don't forget to wear a hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated as temperatures soar. If you're heading to the beach, make sure to take lots of sunscreen and re-apply every 2 or 3 hours, especially when swimming.

Free things to do in Perth this festive season

In December, there's an array of free events and activities you can take part in to kick off your festive celebrations. Plan your Christmas calendar with these Perth events. 

• 28th Nov - 28th Dec: The Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail lights up the city and Northbridge with 22 amazing light installation every night from 6pm-1am.
• 28th Nov - 28th Dec: Soak up the magic of Christmas in Yagan Square every night from 6pm to midnight. It's the starting points for the Christmas Lights Trail, and sets the stage for a magical adventure through the city with Christmas Tree Lane, a 40 metre long festive tunnel, bursting with light, colour, and sound.
• 28th Nov - 24th Dec: Enjoy snowfall every 15 minutes from 7.30pm-9.30pm at Elizabeth Quay.
• 29th Nov: Christmas Twilight Makers Market. Shop more than 80 food, art, accessory, and handicraft stalls beneath the stars at the Supreme Court Gardens from 4pm-9pm.
• 6th Dec: Alinta Energy Christmas Pageant. Watch on TV or head along to the event, kicking off on Saturday 6th December at 7pm on St Georges Terrace.
• 7th Dec: Carols at Sunset. From 5.30pm-8.30pm, enjoy Christmas carols on the Mends Street Foreshore in South Perth. 
• 12th - 24th Dec: Catch delightful Christmas characters performing and spreading festive joy from 7pm-9pm every evening.
• 'Christmas light looking'! Check out our recommendations below.

Where are the best Christmas lights? 

A popular Christmas activity in Perth is to go 'Christmas light looking'. There are several streets throughout Perth that put on a grand display every year, so you can be dazzled by a kaleidoscope of colour on one single street. Grab your mates and head to one of these popular streets near you:

North of the River:

• Samson Court, Duncraig
• Prairie Dunes Place, Connolly
• Conway Grove, Heathridge

South of the River:

• Aromatic Crescent, Atwell
• Kanji Loop, Atwell
• Perren Place, East Cannington
• Hargreaves Road, Coolbellup
• Consulate Court, Thornlie
• Tahoe Close, Thornlie

Make sure to use this Christmas Light Map to find confirmed Christmas light displays near you.

Or, head down to Mandurah and embark on the famous Christmas Light Cruise! Every Christmas Mandurah's canals light up in a kaleidoscope of colour. Filled with more than 200 ornately decorated homes, Mandurah has the biggest Christmas light display in Western Australia! Book the Christmas Light Cruise from $52pp. 

What is open on Christmas Day in Perth?

While most shops and restaurants close on Christmas Day, there are still some places that stay open, so if you don't celebrate Christmas you can still find something to do to enjoy your break. 

Some restaurants and cafes will remain open, however be aware that they will likely charge a public holiday surcharge, usually 10-15% on top of their regular prices. 

The South Perth Zoo stays open on Christmas Day, with regular entry prices, so you can spend the day getting up close with the amazing animals that live there!

Embrace the Christmas spirit

Whether you're spending the day at the beach, enjoying a Christmas barbeque, or taking in the spectacular Christmas light displays, there are lots of ways to get into the holiday spirit. So, grab your sunscreen, put on your festive hat, and celebrate Christmas the Aussie way!