When it comes to celebrating Christmas in Australia, there’s nothing quite like a summer day at the beach with family and friends, some prawns, and an overly full esky you can never quite close. But if you believe Christmas deserves to be enjoyed with some cooler weather (just like in EVERY movie) and ridiculous-looking jumpers, then you’ll no doubt be a fan of the southern hemisphere movement: Christmas in July.
You can find some venues around the Gold Coast embracing this festival spectacle — and personally, we think it’s a great affair to be involved in. Hearty soul-warming food, cheery entertainment, and festive vibes aplenty. Grab your best worst-looking Christmas style attire and be sure to check out these jovial July events!
Pink Flamingo
Not one for the kids, if you know what we mean. Mission Entertainment Co. plans to indulge spectators in a night filled with feisty singers, searing dancers, burlesque performers, world-class circus acts and more! The Pink Flamingo Broadbeach is always an enjoyable time, and their fun and seductive adult-only Christmas show looks to be no different at all. Performances run every evening at 6.30pm from 27th — 31st July with the option of standing or seated tickets. Be warned: don’t be shocked if you end up on Santa’s mischievous list this year!
Where: Corner of 88 Surf Parade & Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach
When: 27th — 31st July 2021
Dreamworld
Find yourself fully immersed in a full-scale European-style winter festival at Winterfest, Dreamworld. From 26th June — 11th July, your standard admission to the theme park will also grant you access to some of the Gold Coast’s most wintery experiences like ice-skating, tobogganing, finding your way through an ice maze, and a whole bunch of daily shows and roving characters providing bounteous chances for you to grab a selfie/picture with your favourite costumed character. It sounds like hungry work — so best you fuel up at the Winterville food precinct whilst you’re there as they showcase German Sausages, Pretzels, and hot choccy to name but a few. And it doesn’t stop there, for the ultimate cold-weather experience, on the nights of Saturday 26th June and Saturday 3rd July, you’re invited to be a part of the ‘Park After Dark: Winterfest Nights.’
Where: Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera
When: 26th June — 11th July 2021
RACV Royal Pines
With a raft of great outlets to choose from at RACV Royal Pines, you’ll be hard pushed to look past Tees’ Clubhouse for a distinct Christmas in July. The restaurant is renowned for its great casual dining, magnificent tranquil views, and robust, hearty meals. On Wednesday 21st July, the night will begin with merrymaking straight off the bat, with a drink on arrival and candlelight carol singing, before sitting down to enjoy a traditional Christmas feast, presented family share style for an impressive $59 per person. This makes us pretty jolly!
Where: Ross Street, Benowa
When: Between 6pm – 8.30pm 21st July 2021
Book your tickets here.
The Club at Parkwood Village
How about an event that provides a challenge and some yummy food at the same time? The Club at Parkwood Village’s Christmas in July Family Trivia night — hosted by none other than larger than life radio personality Moyra Major — offers the chance to win some great prizes paired up with a bountiful feast of Cola Glazed Ham and Roast Turkey, Yorkshire Puddings, all the trimmings, and some traditional style desserts. Don’t forget to bring the little ones too; they’re made more than welcome with an appetising mini menu of their own. Tickets are just $35 for adults and $15 for kids.
Where: 76-122 Napper Rd, Parkwood
When: Family Trivia Night – Friday 9th July 2021
Book your tickets here.
Drag Queen Bingo at Miami Marketta
As if we needed any more incentive to visit Miami Marketta’s already famous Drag Queen Bingo, it seems we might just have another one. Christmas is here… well, almost and on Saturday 24th July, everyone is made most welcome to come to celebrate a specially themed Christmas in July with your hosts, Natasha St. James, Dixie Wrecked, Nims & Vices. You’re guaranteed a ridiculously fun-filled night no matter what time of year it is with these Queens. Expect to be whisked into the holiday spirit with naughty performances, side-splitting games, and endless, all-night amusement.
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
When: Saturday 24th July 2021
The Collective
When it comes to pulling out all the stops for a wintery Christmas like no other, Palm Beach’s innovative dining space, The Collective, is somewhere well ahead of the pack. If you’ve been to any of these events they’ve held over the last couple of years, you’ll no doubt agree a mock ski lift, snow cannon and ugly Christmas jumper dress code makes for an unforgettable evening. This year their five-course dinner menu with traditional festive fare from around the world promises to be another display of brilliant food these guys are well known for. Oh, and don’t forget that ugly Christmas sweater of yours – it’s not optional! Tickets are $75 for a good time.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
When: 30th July 2021
D’Arcy Arms
As the winter winds begin to blow, it’s time to cosy-up to the roaring fireplace for a delicious Christmas feast! Throughout July, the crew at D’Arcy Arms Irish Pub transform their digs into a festive wonderland for the annual Christmas in July feast. The set $50 three-course festive feast starts with Pumpkin Soup, leading to the main fare of Roast Turkey, Roast Pork, Ham, Seasonal Vegetables, Stuffing, a Yorkshire Pudding and accompaning Cranberry and Apple Sauces. If there’s room, you’ll finish with Traditional Pudding with Brandy Anglaise and Vanilla Ice-Cream. Sounds better than our ACTUAL Christmas. Gather the squad, it’s Christmas in July time!
Where: 2923 Gold Coast Hwy, Surfers Paradise
When: Throughout July
Finn McCools
What better way to celebrate Christmas in July than with a Winter Wonderland-themed festival? Running every day of July until Sunday, 11 July 2021 Finn McCools will play host to a variety of things to get you in the spirit as part of their Finn’s Fest. Enjoy live entertainment for the likes of Violet Wallflower, and The Gathering, while you wrap your mits around Chrissy themed cocktails like the Snow Angel cocktail or the crowd favourite, Irish Coffee.
Where: 39 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: Wednesday June 30 – Sunday 11 July
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
Wednesday is usually not the day associated with cool events, but it is now!
Tucked away on a Miami side street is Miami Marketta.
Known as the Gold Coast’s weekend spot for tasty street food, fun cocktails, boutique shopping and a live band, the Miami Marketta is all around awesome, but a seemingly little known fact is that Miami Marketta is not just for the weekenders! You can experience Marketta’s awesomeness 4 nights a week!
I’m a big fan of the Miami Marketta and have done some serious eating there more than a handful of times over past weekends, but I had my maiden voyage to a Wednesday Marketta last week. Imma tell you about it…
Firstly, parking was a breeze! A sign for good things to come. As I made my way to the entrance it started to drizzle. As a former weekend Marketta-er I was a bit bummed because Ithought that would mean standing in the rain to wait for my food. – NOT ON A WEDNESDAY!
Wednesday is tapas night at Miami Marketta and they host a smaller selection of vendors, which means that they all fit under the twinkly lit steel canopy.
On weekends long rows of communal tables occupy the space under the shelter of the canopy pushing the vendors outside. During the week the tables are turned to stand alone making for a more intimate setting amongst friends, and creating covered space for the vendors to set up. (Keep that in mind for rainy days)
Now, just because Wednesdays do not boast the same number of vendors as the weekends do, it does not mean there is any shortage of flavour or options. One of my favourite things about Miami Marketta whether it be a weekday or weekend is that it’s ethnically ambiguous. In a few short steps, you can go from smelling the frying corn chips at the Mexican stand, to the mouth-watering meat being grilled for the Mediterranean salads and kebabs. The smell of a wood fired oven filled with Italian pizzas mixes with the sweet scents of Belgian waffles and it’s a glorious overload making it nearly impossible to choose just one thing. –But on Wednesday you don’t have to, nor should you! All dishes start at $6 so the tasting and sharing is easy and inexpensive!
In front of flamingo wallpaper is a liquor bar specialising in hand crafted cocktails and beside that was the coffee and sweets bar. The coffee bar wasn’t that popular in the late evening, but the cocktail bar was pumping. Drinks served in glass jars were adorned with funky fun straws and tasted like sweet sweet love. If you were in the mood to keep your drinks simple, they had a nice selection of beer and wine.
And just because the coffee bar wasn’t popping at night, doesn’t mean you should skip out on it. Marketta Cafe is open Tuesday – Saturday starting at 6am to fill all your early morning coffee needs!
The Marketta celebrates the arts and always has something nice going on to feed your soul and not just your mouth.
Wednesdays there is a DJ spinning relaxed beats and this particular Wednesday there was a local designer putting on a fashion show. The mix of two was such a treat. Not your usual Wednesday night dinner entertainment 🙂
Boutique shops sold mostly homewares and clothes. art. -All very cool pieces I might add!
The grill smoke trapped by the rain swirled against the ceiling, models strutted in casually elegant clothes, the DJ spun smooth tempos, the food was tasty and cheap, and the patrons were delightfully hip and laid back.
Successful Wednesday night.
Miami Marketta is open
Wed 5p-10p
Fri 5p-11p
Sat 4p-11p
The history of buffet styled eating is a mixed affair. Its origins could be said to hark back to a mixture of cultures — from Asia to Europe. The ‘smorgasbord’ became internationally known as such at the 1939 New York World’s Fair exhibition, because the Swedes had to invent a new way of showcasing the best of Swedish food to large numbers of visitors. And the rest, as they say, is history…
Whoever can claim to have been responsible, we’re not fussed! The point is buffets — and smorgasbords — are amazing ways to reach newfound eating goals, and we’ve got quite a few exceptional ones right here on the Gold Coast. Happy binge eating, folks!
Terraces Restaurant
It’s the seafood buffet extravaganza in Main Beach that locals keep returning to time and time again, and as one of those locals, we can tell you it’s got all of the very best things you’ll love. Yes, fresh seafood galore but also a whole charcuterie section, an excellent Asian dish section, and so many delicious desserts to choose from. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: Level 1, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, 71 Sea World Drive, Main Beach
Harvest Buffet
The much-loved, and greatly-missed Buffet has finally made its post-COVID return – and boy are we excited! Now back open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, you’ll be sure to leave this place bursting at the seams. We must make special mention of their dinner offering which includes the freshest seafood like oysters, prawns, sushi, roasts from the carvery as well as crowd-pleasers like pizza, pasta, curries, soups and salads. Should we also mention they have a decadent dessert bar? Yep, complete with a chocolate fountain! It’s our buffet dreams answered!
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach
Il Barocco
It’s a quality over quantity affair at Palazzo Versace’s Il Barocco. After all, this is a 5-star luxury property we’re talking about! The team use only the very best, locally sourced seafood and the aim of the game is to create a fresh, diverse looking buffet — which they nail. Besides exceptional seafood, there are hot and cold meats, vegetarian dishes and the prettiest looking dessert section. Treat yourself, why don’t you to the most luxe buffet setting on the Coast. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: Palazzo Versace, 94 Sea World Drive, Main Beach
Frenzy’s Food Court
Catering to the entire family, Frenzy’s at Southport Sharks is open for dinner and offers an extensive buffet selection featuring dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world. The all-you-can-eat buffet offers a tasty range of meats, salads, international dishes and desserts, all available between 5.30pm and 8.30pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Yep, we don’t know about you but we have our plates ready!
Where: Olsen Ave & Musgrave Ave, Southport
Citrique
One of the most beautifully presented buffets around is Citrique at the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. Recently renovated, they are renowned for a next-level, seasonal seafood selection, and folks; it is the goods. Every dish you could possibly want is available at Citrique, including yum cha, sushi, curries, antipasto, European dishes, and speciality plates you’ll absolutely fall for in a big way. It’s open for buffet breakfast daily, with Thursday — Sunday buffet sittings in the evenings and lunches Saturday and Sunday. Plus be sure to check their monthly feature flavour at the buffet! Currently, for the month of July expect to see an array of Incredible Indian.
Where: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Bazaar
We would like to boldly state that QT Gold Coast’s Bazaar is exceptional, and if you have not been, no excuse will suffice! Feel like a steak cooked perfectly medium-rare? Not a problem. Their helpful chefs can create made to order dishes right in front of your eyes, bake pizzas, and dish up fresh and cooked seafood, slow-roasted meats, epic salads, an Asian food section and the most delectable dessert offering on the Coast. It’s an absolute must-try and is open for breakfast daily as well as dinner Tuesday — Saturday.
Where: QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
