A cosy outdoor fire pit cinema is coming to Sydney

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 – bringing with it a winter wonderland of mulled wine, cosy firelight and heart-warming Christmas movies. And the popular outdoor Fire Pit Cinema is headlining the program again this year.

The magical night 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

Fire Pit Cinema at Christmas in July festival in Sydney, NSW — Settle in for a movie night around your own crackling fire pit.

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.

hot cocolate at Christmas in July festival in Sydney, NSW — Cheers to your favourite film with a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

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 Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually or The Grinch. If that’s not really your thing, settle in for a Hollywood blockbuster instead – Die Hard, The Gremlins, 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.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Beyond the fire pits

crowd and snow at Christmas in July festival in Sydney, NSW — Wander Christmas-themed stalls and even experience snowfall.

Outside of the cinema, wander through decorated wooden inspired by the Christmas markets of Europe. Find stalls of local artisans. Treat your tastebuds to raclette and melted cheese experiences, mulled wine and other winter treats. And even experience snowfall moments throughout the festival.

Attending the final weekend? enjoy a special cultural crossover as Bastille Festival joins the celebrations from 16 to 19 July, bringing a selection of French films presented in their original language alongside the traditional Christmas movie program.

The details

Tickets and pricing

Passes are available now. 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.

There are three different event passes for guests to choose from. The Watch & Roast pass costs $38 per person and includes a bucket of marshmallows to munch on. The Christmas Magic pass offers mulled wine (or hot chocolate), unlimted marshmallows and popcorn for $45 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!

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Location

snow lane at christmas in july festival sydney — The Rocks is only a quick walk from Circular Quay station.

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.

Timings

The pop-up cinema will run for the duration of Christmas in July 2026, from 10 to 19 July.

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

Where the vines tell a story

A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food. — Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

At the table

A flat lay of a steak. — Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

From the source

A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish. — Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

Mark your calendar

A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith. — Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.

A cosy outdoor cinema with private fire pits is returning to Sydney

Experience a European Christmas in the heart of Sydney this July.

What to expect

Beyond the fire pits