While many in the northern hemisphere are basking in mid-summer sunshine there are some people in Australia and New Zealand enjoying a Midwinter Christmas celebration. Where does this tradition come from? It was a few years ago, when I arrived in New Zealand that I realized that many families of English or European origin have a non recognized tradition in the middle of June. I engaged in the exploration of this amazing tradition celebrated, as far as I know, only in this part of the world.



Christmas as we know it, is celebrated around the world in December, when most northern countries are in winter, and the cold white snow is a feature and icon of the celebration. The celebration is accompanied by a special variety of foods, decorations, traditions that make it such a special event. Christmas is also celebrated in countries where December happens to be summer. Celebration of Christmas in summer comes as a natural event for most South American countries, where immigrants from European countries carried on the tradition and was transmitted from generation to generation for at least the past 100 years. I mean that in these countries, where most people are of Italian-Spanish ancestors, Christmas celebrations are carried on in hot summer days as if it were winter: the turkey, heavy fruit cakes, hot drinks, and even egg nog! Christmas dinner in New Zealand and Australia does not differ much from a typical turkey dinner. Perhaps the English influence drives people to choose a ham leg and vegetables instead of a roasted turkey meal. And yet Christmas happens to be summer in these countries.

The most important distinction of mid winter Christmas is that is almost exclusively celebrated by immigrants from European countries that find it marvellous to get to rejoice the most celebrated festivity in the world in the warmth of the winter weather conditions. And then, mid winter Christmas started to be celebrated in June. At end of autumn, when the weather is not that cosy, there start family and friend preparation and news to organize a Christmas dinner, in June. Some people state that mid winter Christmas also celebrate the shortest day of the year. Some other do not know what is celebrated but they have been carrying on the tradition with friends that enjoy a good meal and the fun involved in any celebration.

The event has lately been taken as a promotional event for restaurants and pubs that decorate the venue in red and green and tone the candlelight for the occasion. Despite the promotional event , there is no mention of the celebration in the news or even in newspapers. It happens to be a reserved event for those that adore the taste of Christmas in winter.