Each winter more pubs are warming up their patrons with cool weather festivities, one of the most popular being Christmas in July events such as that going on at the Greenwood.
The chance to experience something of a northern hemisphere Christmas sparks pictures of a warm convivial atmosphere with log fires, hearty meals and mulled wine. Now some pubs are getting creative and taking the festivities a bit further.
Three course meal and beverage packages are popular, with some billed as ‘Christmas orphan’ events. These packages wouldn’t be complete without Christmas pudding or a warming cocktail, and don’t forget the Christmas crackers.
Of course there are elaborate Christmas decorations, and visits from Santa himself. Carollers and re-runs of classic Christmas movies are also a hit.
Others get a little more ‘silly season’, with ugly sweater themed competitions, dances or discounts.
On the extreme end of Christmas in July festivities, both Tilley and Wills’ Greenwood Hotel in North Sydney (19 July to 30 July) and the Richmond Inn in Richmond (4 July to 10 July) are transforming the venues by importing 150 tonnes of real snow for their Snow Festival this year.
Free events include tobogganing, ice skating, snow angels, figure skating fire-twirler performances, and more. And all perfectly timed for the school holidays.
Nick Wills told PubTIC he likes to bring a bit of ski-field fun to Sydney.
“I’ve been skiing since I was four – I love it,” said Wills.
“We thought it would be a great way to embrace the cold, and everyone to cheer up and have some fun.”
