Christmas in July at The Rocks – Can I Tell You Why We Love It So Much?

If you've ever visited us at The Rocks, you'll probably know by now that we absolutely love being there.

But can I tell you a little secret?

Christmas in July has quietly become one of our favourite weekends of the entire year.

We've just finished the first weekend and, as we were packing up on Sunday night, Brian and I both said the same thing...

“I wish we had another month of this.”

Thankfully, we've still got one more magical weekend to go, and if you've been thinking about coming, I honestly hope you do.

Because there is something about Christmas in July at The Rocks that is very hard to explain until you're standing right in the middle of it.

 

It Starts the Moment You Walk Into George Street

The first thing you'll probably notice is the music. Christmas songs drifting through the historic sandstone streets. Michael Bublé doing what Michael Bublé does so well.

Then, every now and again, Taylor Swift's Christmas Tree Farm comes on...  ...and yes, if you happen to walk past our stall at that moment, there's every chance you'll catch me singing along behind the fudge. I make absolutely no apologies for that!

Then, just as everyone settles back into browsing the markets...

Whoosh!  The snow machines fire up. Every few minutes, George Street is filled with swirling snow, and it doesn't matter whether you're five or seventy-five—you can't help but look up and smile.

Honestly, one of my favourite things all weekend was simply watching people. Children laughing and trying to catch the snow. Parents reaching for their phones. Adults grinning at each other like kids. For a few minutes, the whole street forgets everything else and just enjoys the moment. I must have watched that happen hundreds of times over the weekend, and I never got tired of it.

Then Your Senses Take Over

Every now and then the breeze changes direction.

Suddenly you catch the smell of roasting chestnuts. A few steps later it's the aroma of warm mulled wine.

One of our little Christmas in July traditions is stopping in to see our friends Johnny, Ninoo and Jewel at Ervas. Their beautiful hot mulled wine has become part of our Christmas in July every year, and I honestly can't imagine the weekend without it. Standing there with a warm cup in your hands, Christmas music playing, snow drifting down George Street and the smell of chestnuts in the air...  ...for just a moment, you could almost convince yourself you were wandering through a Christmas market somewhere in Europe.

Then you look up... ...and there, towering above everything, is the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Only The Rocks can give you that feeling. Only The Rocks.

It's Why We Love This Place So Much

Where else can you spend the day wandering through Australia's most historic neighbourhood, browsing one of the country's premier artisan markets, talking directly with makers, enjoying wonderful food, listening to Christmas music, watching snow fall beneath the Harbour Bridge and then finish the afternoon with one of the most beautiful harbour views anywhere in the world?

It isn't just a market. It isn't just an event. It's an experience. And after all these years, we still get excited driving in every Saturday morning.

The Markets Have Been Looking Incredible

Christmas in July doesn't replace The Rocks Markets. It simply makes everything you already love about them even better.

Artists. Jewellers. Designers. Ceramicists. Leatherworkers. Gourmet food producers. Beautiful handmade products. Talented Australian makers. 

Everywhere you look there's another conversation, another story, another discovery waiting to happen. That's one of the reasons we love being part of this community.

We Couldn't Resist Getting Into the Spirit Either

Of course, if The Rocks was decorating for Christmas... ...then so were we.

Out came the wreaths. The twinkling lights. The nutcrackers. The snoweflakes. The Christmas decorations. (Probably more than we really needed... ...but if you've met me, you'll know that “more is more” has always been one of my favourite design philosophies!

And honestly? We think it's one of the most festive displays we've ever put together. If you haven't seen it yet, that alone is worth the trip this weekend. Seeing people stop, smile, point our stall out to friends and take photos has been one of the highlights of the weekend. It made every minute we spent decorating worthwhile.

There's Still Time

If you've missed the first weekend, don't worry. You've still got one more chance. If you've been looking for an excuse to visit The Rocks this winter, I honestly can't think of a better one.

We are open this weekend Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday 10am-11pm, and Sunday 10am-9pm. Come and spend a few hours wandering the markets, soak up the atmosphere, grab a mulled wine, enjoy the music, watch the snow fall... and if you happen to find us along the way, please stop and say hello.

You'll find Brian and I at The Village Providore, with plenty of samples, a warm welcome and a big smile ready for you.

We'd love to share a little Christmas in July with you. 🎄