Christmas in Wollongong

If you are spending Christmas in Wollongong, because you are a local or a visitor, then you have many diverse options for celebrating the summer season. Wollongong is a city that is located just south of Sydney, and the stretch of coast in-between is scattered with small coastal villages.

One of the best ways to spend Christmas in Wollongong is to take advantage of the local and nearby beaches, and the coastal scenery on offer. Christmas is during summer in Australia, and the weather in Wollongong will be hot and sunny – perfect for lazy drives, or soaking up the sunshine on the beach.

Many people choose to celebrate their Christmas Day in Wollongong at one of the many beaches. This is a simple and convenient option, as a contrast to a formal lunch or dinner. Simply gather your family and your friends, pre-pack a scrumptious Christmas feast, and take your swimmers, beach towels and umbrellas to the beach, and enjoy everything that is on offer.

Prepare a scrumptious, beach-side Christmas lunch
If you are choosing to spend Christmas Day on the beach near Wollongong then seafood, cold meats and salads are the usual popular choices. Add in some baked goods and Christmas nibbles and you’ll have a feast to delight the entire family. You can easily purchase all of these items locally and have them prepared in advance for ease, or you can cook a barbeque on the day.

Barbeques are available at many of the coastal beachside areas, both south and north of Wollongong, however you will need to investigate these well before the day of your event, and be prepared to get there early or share the cooking space with other families who have the same idea.

Shopping for Christmas in Wollongong
The local shops in Wollongong will have everything that you need, including fresh seafood and Christmas hams that can be ordered in advance and picked up on Christmas Eve. Take a stroll through the stores in Wollongong’s Crown Street Mall and Gateway Shopping Complex and you’ll find all of the fresh food that you’ll need.

Wollongong’s Crown Street Mall has a range of supermarkets with fresh food outlets, but at Christmas time it is also the perfect location to shop for gifts. You will have access to department stores and specialty retail shops, and you’ll also be able to relax and have a coffee or a meal in the outdoor spaces.

During the Christmas period, Crown Street Mall is filled with colourful Christmas decorations that will inspire both children and adults, and add some cheer to your holiday and shopping season. Check the local guides for any Christmas performances and Santa Clause appearances that are being conducted, either inside the shopping centre, or outside in the mall area itself.

Carols by Candlelight
Carols by Candlelight events are held all around the Wollongong and Illawarra areas and you may even decide to go to several of the events. They are perfect for the entire family, and offer an opportunity to celebrate and get into the Christmas spirit by relaxing on the grass, under the stars and enjoying familiar Christmas carols with food, friendship and twinkling lights.

Popular carol events in the Wollongong and Illawarra areas include Dapto Carols by Candlelight which is held at the Dapto Showgrounds, Kiama Carols in , Shellharbour Christmas Carols and fireworks, Gerringong Carols at Gerringong Town Hall and Bellambi Carols at Bellambi Public School.

There is also the wonderful opportunity of traveling into Sydney City for the televised event of Christmas Carols in the Domain. You will be able to drive into the city, however parking in the city might be difficult or expensive to find, especially with so many other families thinking the same thing! Your best option may be the convenience of the train, which will depart from Wollongong train station and travel directly into the city, very close to the Domain itself.

You may also choose to travel into Sydney City for other Christmas events, including the large-scale outdoor Christmas trees that are featured in the centre of the city, including Martin Place. The Queen Victoria Building, Town Hall and Pitt Street Malls are well-decorated locations for Christmas gift buying and special events. All of these are on offer, just a drive or train trip away from Wollongong.

DAYS Til Santa!

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