The calendar may read July, but for millions of Christmas enthusiasts, it feels a lot more like December. Across North America and around the globe, Christmas trees (artificial) are going up in living rooms, Christmas movies are filling television schedules, Santa Claus is making appearances in Hawaiian shirts, and retailers are unveiling ornaments months ahead of the traditional holiday shopping season. Welcome to Christmas in July, a celebration that has transformed a quirky summer novelty into one of the biggest unofficial holidays of the year for Christmas lovers.
The idea of celebrating Christmas during the hottest days of summer has fascinated people for generations. While references to “Christmas in July” appeared in literature and popular culture during the early twentieth century, one of the first organized celebrations took place in 1933 at Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina. Campers enjoyed decorated trees, Christmas carols, gift exchanges, visits from Santa Claus, and a traditional holiday feast despite the summer heat. The event proved so popular that it inspired similar celebrations elsewhere, gradually evolving into the tradition we know today.
One reason Christmas in July has endured is simple: people love Christmas. Waiting an entire year to experience those holiday feelings can seem far too long, so celebrating halfway through the year offers a welcome opportunity to reconnect with the traditions people cherish most.
Another reason for the celebration’s growth is timing. By late June, the excitement of spring has faded, schools are on summer break, and retailers are entering one of the slowest shopping periods of the year. Christmas in July provides the perfect excuse to inject a little sparkle into the season while giving consumers, and sellers, an early opportunity to begin preparing for the holidays.
Hallmark is leading the way!
Television has played a major role in turning Christmas in July into a national event. What once consisted of a handful of holiday movie marathons has blossomed into weeks of dedicated programming across multiple networks, complete with brand-new movie premieres and behind-the-scenes specials.
Leading the way once again in 2026 is the Hallmark Channel, whose annual Christmas in July celebration began on June 26 and runs through the end of July. In addition to airing holiday favorites around the clock, Hallmark is debuting four brand-new original Christmas movies every Saturday in July: Christmas Under Construction, O Little Christmas Market, Snowbound for the Holidays, and Love Under the Mistletoe. Hallmark+ is also streaming the second season of Christmas at Sea, which follows fans and stars aboard a festive Christmas cruise.
The Great American Family channel has also embraced the season in a big way. Its annual Great American Christmas in July event features continuous holiday movie marathons, previews of upcoming Christmas films, and the premiere of the new original movie The Trouble with Mistletoe.
Retailers are just as enthusiastic. Hallmark stores have long associated Christmas in July with the launch of their annual Keepsake Ornament Premiere, one of the most anticipated events for ornament collectors. Hundreds of new ornaments arrive in stores each July, giving collectors their first opportunity to purchase limited-edition designs before they become difficult to find later in the year.
Beyond Hallmark, home décor stores, online retailers, Christmas specialty shops, and craft stores roll out significant Christmas in July promotions. Artificial trees, ornaments, wreaths, village accessories, wrapping paper, ribbons, and holiday lighting often go on sale months before the traditional holiday shopping rush. Savvy shoppers know July can be one of the best times of the year to stretch their Christmas budgets while enjoying a wider selection.
Communities are celebrating
Communities have also found creative ways to celebrate. Across the country, visitors can attend Christmas in July festivals featuring Santa Claus arriving by boat, classic car parades decorated for the holidays, Christmas craft fairs, outdoor movie nights, cookie decorating contests, ugly Christmas shirt competitions, toy drives, and even “snowball fights” made possible with foam or biodegradable artificial snow. In many resort towns, the celebration blends summer vacations with holiday nostalgia, creating memorable experiences for families of all ages.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas in July carries an entirely different meaning. Since countries like Australia and New Zealand experience winter during July, many families celebrate with traditional Christmas dinners, fireplaces, mulled drinks, and cozy gatherings that better resemble the classic snowy Christmas imagery seen throughout Europe and North America. For many Australians, Christmas in July offers the opportunity to enjoy the type of winter holiday atmosphere that December’s summer weather simply can’t provide.
For collectors, Christmas in July has become the unofficial starting line for the holiday season. Ornament enthusiasts eagerly await new releases, Department 56 village collectors begin planning new displays, and fans of vintage decorations search antique stores and flea markets for treasures before demand peaks in the fall. Many Christmas websites and social media communities also begin publishing gift guides, decorating trends, and previews of upcoming holiday merchandise.
The celebration has even found a home online. Social media feeds fill with decorated trees, festive recipes, Christmas music playlists, and countdown graphics. Podcasts devoted to Christmas release special summer episodes, while YouTube creators tour Christmas stores, unbox ornaments, and preview new collectibles. For people who celebrate Christmas year-round, July has become one of the busiest months on the calendar.
So whether you’re watching your favorite holiday movie in shorts and flip-flops, sipping peppermint iced coffee, shopping for next December’s ornaments, or simply listening to Christmas music while grilling in the backyard, you’re participating in a tradition that is fast becoming a major event on the holiday calendar. Sometimes, the best way to beat the summer heat is with a little Christmas cheer.
