A cosy outdoor cinema with private fire pits is coming to Sydney

Taylah DarnellBy Taylah Darnell
hero media
Experience a European Christmas in the heart of Sydney this July.

Much to the delight of Sydneysiders, the Christmas in July festival is returning to the NSW capital after a long five-year hiatus. And the 2025 line-up will well and truly atone for its absence – just look at the main event.

Australia’s first-ever outdoor Fire Pit Cinema is headlining the program this year, a never-before-seen pop-up promising winter revelry in the heart of Sydney. It takes the concept of an outdoor cinema and adds a big scoop of cosy charm, a generous sprinkle of Christmas festivity and a whole lot of movie magic to deliver the ultimate winter experience.

What to expect

Running for just 10 nights across July, the Fire Pit Cinema is all about embracing the winter chill and combating those mid-year scaries with festive fun. Gather a group of your family or friends for a movie night like no other, cosied up around your very own blazing fire pit. Take turns roasting marshmallows, sip mulled wine or hot chocolate, eat your body weight in popcorn and snuggle under soft blankets as your favourite flick plays on the big screen.

Fire Pit Cinema at Christmas in Juley festival in Sydney, NSW
Settle in for a movie night around your own crackling fire pit.

Wondering what you’ll be watching? Trust us – the curated line-up of films does not disappoint. Delight in the festivities with a classic Christmas movie like The Holiday, Elf, Home Alone or The Grinch. If that’s not really your thing, settle in for a Hollywood blockbuster instead – Die Hard, Love Actually, Moulin Rouge! and Midnight in Paris are all on the list too, plus many more!

Got little ones? There will also be matinee movies at 11am, 2pm and 5pm, so families can enjoy the experience without compromising on bedtime. Choose from kiddie crowd-pleasers, including (but not limited to) The Nightmare Before Christmas, Saving Santa and Ratatouille.

Christmas in July festival in Sydney, NSW
Cheers to your favourite film with a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

There are three different event passes for guests to choose from. The Watch & Roast pass costs $35 per person and includes marshmallows to munch on. The Christmas Magic pass offers mulled wine (or hot chocolate), marshmallows and popcorn for $47 per person. The Family Moment pass covers two adults and up to four children for just $60, but is only available for day sessions. Once you’ve secured your pass, all you have to do is pick a flick!

When and where to find it

This year, the Fire Pit Cinema will be held at Cadmans Cottage on George Street in The Rocks, Sydney. The historic site is easily accessible via public transport, with trains, buses, ferries and the light rail all less than a 10-minute walk away in Circular Quay.

Christmas in July festival in Sydney, NSW
The Rocks is only a quick walk from Circular Quay station.

The pop-up cinema will run for the duration of Christmas in July 2025 , from Friday 11 July to Sunday 20 July. Passes are available now and include a private fire pit, blankets and exclusive access to the outdoor cinema. There are 21 fire pits available per session, each with space for up to six people. Note that bookings for two guests will be seated with another party of two.

The rest of the program

Enjoying the winter festivities? The fun doesn’t have to stop after your cinema experience – it’s just one of many fantastic events on this year’s program. To make up for such a long break and prove its place on Sydney’s epic events calendar, the festival is promising an expanded village precinct and extended program. So, what else can you look forward to?

Christmas in July festival in Sydney, NSW
Grab a handmade gift from the artisan markets.

The Rocks is set to transform into one of the coolest markets in Sydney, inspired by the stunning Christkindlmarkts of Europe. Authentic wooden chalets and artisanal stalls touting trinkets galore will line the streets under kilometres of twinkling fairy lights. Over 20 restaurant pop-ups will keep hungry bellies sated, offering everything from bratwursts and melted raclette to crêpes and crème brûlée.

For more Christmas magic, be sure to visit Snow Lane, where you can wander an illuminated alley of dangling decorations and real Christmas trees. Snowflakes will drizzle down from above, adding to the illusion of a true white Christmas. A live music line-up will also be revealed soon, so bring your dancing shoes!

Christmas in July festival in Sydney, NSW
A wander through Snow Lane will delight even the biggest of Grinches.
Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
See all articles
Couple enjoying a swim at Marrinawi Cove in Barangaroo, Sydney swimming spots reopening for summer
Sydney

The pop-up Sydney swimming spots set to reopen in time for summer

This weekend will be full of new swimming spots, from Penrith to Barangaroo.

Read more
A historic Sydney swim site just reopened in time for summer
Sydney

A historic Sydney swim site just reopened in time for summer

Forget the beachside crowds and make a splash along the river instead.

Read more
Adina Town Hall one bedroom living room
Sydney

The Sydney CBD stay that feels more like your dream apartment

A night in the city that feels less like a hotel stay and more like slipping into your own Sydney sanctuary. 

Read more
Pool at The Brighton Hotel Sydney – MGallery Collection
Sydney

The Brighton Hotel brings resort-style luxury to Sydney’s south

Sydney’s south finally has its own slice of luxury. 

Read more
hero media

Your guide to a summer staycation in Sydney

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
    Continue
    Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

    Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

    Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

    Where to stay

    The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney
    Sleep inside a 151-year-old icon.

    Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

    Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom
    Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

    Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

    The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

    Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

    Where to drink & dine

    1. The Bar

    the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar
    Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

    Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

    Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

    The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of  Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

    On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

    Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

    2. The Place

    the Fullerton Hotel the place dining
    Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

    On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

    3. Local gelato

    Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks
    Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

    What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

    What to do/see

    1. GPO Heritage Tour

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby
    Be awed by the building’s history.

    Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

    From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

    2. Circular Quay

    aerial of circular quay sydney
    Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

    An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

    3. Royal Botanic Gardens

    view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden
    Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

    It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

    4. Theatre Royal

    a show at Theatre Royal
    Take in a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Daniel Boud)

    Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

    Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.