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 simming 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

8 insider experiences to discover the offbeat in Newcastle

    Carla GrossettiBy Carla Grossetti
    hero media
    Continue
    Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

    Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

    1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

    The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP .

    Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour.
    Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    2. Underground jazz scene

    Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground . The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel , King Street Newcastle , Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Newcastle Live (@newcastlelive)

    3. The city as a canvas   

    The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery , adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

    Friends take in Newcastle Street Art.
    Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

    4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

    There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up , which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

    5. Newcastle after dark

    The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity.  Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude. 

    A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background.
    Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    6. Indulge in great gastronomy

    Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos , through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle . Visit during Newcastle Food Month  to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug , Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

    The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW.
    Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

    7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

    Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor.  Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

    The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection.
    Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

    8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

    Save the date for New Annual , a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

    Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra.
    Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

    Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.