Yule be right
Homesick foreigners dictate when Australians should have Christmas. Time Out's Lisa O'Brien agrees in principle
The Chalet on ice
The story of Yulefest begins, as so many good yarns before it have, with an Irishman walking into a bar. A Blue Mountains guesthouse to be exact. Twas the middle of July and the Irishman remarked to the owner how similar it was to his homeland at Christmas. To allay his guest's homesickness, the obliging owner turned on a traditional feast, even erecting a tree and decorations for the very first ‘Christmas in July' celebrations.
A lot of eggnog and 28 years later, Yulefest is one of the most festive events on the Blue Mountains calendar - not to mention a great excuse to don novelty ties and reindeer antlers in the middle of the year.
The Carrington
This majestic hotel sits atop Katoomba Street and you'll need a good sit down too after their five course Yulefest dinner and Christmas-themed entertainment.
15-47 Katoomba St, Katoomba 2780. (02 4782 1111)
The Chalet
All the festive spirit without the crowds of Katoomba, this quaint hut offers two night Yulefest packages during July and August.
50 Portland Rd, Medlow Bath 2780. (02 4788 1122)
The Clarendon
Iconic Mountains venue takes a ‘different' route with Yulefest this year - the Saturday night package includes dinner and a Carpenters tribute show (eat before you get to Karen's anorexic years).
68 Lurline St, Katoomba 2780. (02 4782 1322)
The Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa Retreat
Sit by the very same fire and indulge in the very same brews that inspired Yulefest all those years ago. Survive the very same hangover the next morning.
Cnr Apex & Lovel Sts, Katoomba 2780. (02 4782 2155)
The Bavarian Bier Cafe
Here in Sydney, it's easy to dose up on Christmas in July action via the Bavarian Beer Cafe chain. They'll fill your boots and oil your neck with steins of liquid gold and your bellies with that hearty fare that goes hand in waistband with the season.
The BBC's new Holyland is in Parramatta, a café built in the old St Andrews Church site on Phillip street in the heart of Eel Country. The monks were among the world's first brewers so it's guilt-free gargling with a Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier, Paulaner Premium Pils and Hofbrau Original all flowing freely.
Fireside feeding will also jingle your bells. Turkey schnitzels feature prominently, so too pork knuckles, sauerkraut and spuds, snags and other anti-salad stomach stuffers.
Bavarian Bier Café, 2-8 Phillip Street, Parramatta (02 8836 1400)