Christmas twice a year? Yes please.

Posted on 24 June, 2019

Christmas is a special time of year when friends and family come together, give thanks and celebrate. So why not have it twice a year?

Queanbeyan Christmas in July is back and is the perfect antidote to the Canberra mid-winter blues. This year, you can look forward to an assortment of classic festive activities—with a twist.

As well as more than 150 market stalls, warming festive food and drink, artificial snow, and an outdoor obstacle course, here are some highlights you can’t miss.

BARKING GOOD FUN

Are you one of the thousands of Canberrans and Queanbeyan residents (including myself) who own an ‘oodle’ dog? We’re talking cavoodles, labradoodles, goldendoodles (otherwise known as groodles but that’s less fun), spoodles or even, you know, a poodle?

If so, you can enter your pup into the Oodle Races! Any ‘oodle’ dog from pup to mature doggos can take part in what will surely be the cutest, fluffiest scramble of all time.

Don’t have an ‘oodle? You can enter any breed into the ‘Best Dressed Christmas Dog’ competition and all fur babies are welcome to take a photo with Santa Paws in exchange for a donation to local animal rescue groups.

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS BAKE OFF

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without all those festive baked goods and, let’s be honest, they only get more attractive in winter.

If you’re a bit of a whiz in the kitchen, why not enter the Christmas Cake and/or Gingerbread House competitions? There are cash prizes for general entry, senior baker categories with the competition expected to be “hotter than Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere”.

LOCK LIPS FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Couples can also kiss for a good cause and raise money for HOME in Queanbeyan by breaking the (unofficial) world record for the most people to kiss under mistletoe… well almost.

“In the weeks leading into the event we realised that sourcing mistletoe was proving tricky with some suggesting the plant could be harmful to dogs. So, not wanting to give up we decided to give the (unofficial) world record an Aussie twist and have ‘the most people to kiss under the gum leaves’,” says Laura Shelley Team Leader for QPRC Events.

“So couples can now lock lips as part of a new Australian tradition.”

TAP YOUR TOES

Everyone knows it’s not a festival without music.  Across the day there will be live music from local buskers, performances from Bom Funk Dance Studio and the ever-popular Po Boys to keep things merry and bright and your toes tapping.

SKIP THE QUEUES

This year, the ‘Early Christmas Presence Pass’ is back by popular demand with pass holders able to access Christmas in July one hour before the official opening time.

After community consultation, organisers have identified that some people who have mobility concerns, sensory issues or who are uncomfortable around large crowds might be encouraged to join in if considerations such as the Early Christmas Presence Pass were made.

Therefore, in this hour before opening, organisers will do their best to limit the number of people onsite, as well as the noise. If this sounds like the right atmosphere for you register for 9 am entry via Eventbrite.

WIN BEFORE YOU EVEN ARRIVE

That’s right. While entry is free, register via Eventbrite (for free) ahead of time to go in the draw to win a premium European-designed Christmas tree valued at $1000 thanks to Christmas Emporium.

So gather your baking kit, winter woollies and your ‘oodle’ dog, Christmas (in July) is coming.

the essentials

What: Queanbeyan Christmas in July
When: Sunday 7 July from 10 am – 4 pm
Where: Queanbeyan Showground, Glebe Avenue, Queanbeyan
More information: Facebook or by emailing events@qprc.nsw.gov.au

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