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.

This winter, these secret Sydney harbour suites are the staycation we’ve been looking for.

Whether it’s the crisscrossing ferries or the white sails of the Opera House rising out of blue depths, Australia’s biggest city lives for its harbour. But while locals might glance at that watery expanse on their daily commute across the Bridge, it can still be hard to truly connect with Sydney’s maritime soul. The secret: seeing the harbour eye-to-eye, right at water level. And what better place to submerge yourself in that energy than sleeping there? That’s where Pier One Sydney Harbour comes in (and with new all-inclusive bed and breakfast benefits, there’s even more to love).

All-inclusive VIP benefits

Who Is Elijah Amenities at Pier One Sydney Harbour — Book in for the all-inclusive VIP treatment.

The hard truth is that it will be very difficult to tear yourself away from your ultra-luxurious harbour home-away-from-home to explore the city. If you want to make leaving even harder, opt for Pier One’s all-inclusive VIP treatment.

The Bed and Breakfast with Suite Benefits package turns up the volume on what is already the ultimate staycation, with complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and turndown service. The biggest perk? Enjoy a bottle of French champagne every day during your whole stay

Pier One Sydney Harbour

The five-star Pier One Sydney Harbour is quite literally old Sydney through and through. Built on what was once a working cargo wharf and the passenger terminal for those heading to the North Shore before the bridge was constructed, the heritage building sits right between the tangle of cobblestones, pubs and alleyways of The Rocks and the historic docking zone of Walsh Bay – at the centre of the city’s old sea trade.

If knowing the hotel’s history isn’t enough to get your sea-longing going, the interior design certainly will. As soon as you step up to the concierge desk in the lobby of the restored building – which underwent a $15 million redevelopment in 2019 – you’re immersed in Sydney’s seafaring tale. Weathered wood panelling and white marble floors surround you, while loop lighting installations hover above the bar island just beyond, ringed with stools ready for intimate, martini-tinted conversations. Steel rivets and timber beams speak to its past, and glass-walled views anchor you firmly in the present-day life on the harbour.

Pier One Suites

Pier One Sydney Harbour admiral suite — Enjoy incredible views from your suite.

Across the 189 rooms and suites built on and over the water, the maritime theme continues. Sculptural aged brass fittings, exposed girders, colour schemes that evoke shifting currents, and mirrors that reflect ripples that – depending on your booking – sit just metres from your pillow.

United on theme yet unique in set-up, each room or suite is different. On the ground floor, dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the pier are all prepped for pampered pups, while others have views and even balconies overlooking Walsh Bay, the Bridge and the Harbour.

But the 19 suites step things up even more. Gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows, or get even closer. Your private balcony is made for sipping a Nespresso coffee on as the sun comes up – or soaking in the bathtub of the Admiral Suite on the deck, a drink from the locally stocked mini bar in hand. This mini bar was recently completely transformed, so you have more Aussie favourites to choose from, including alcohol and snacks.

Dining at Pier One

Pier Bar Pier One Sydney Harbour — Settle in for an afternoon of good drinks and views.

Once you’re checked in, start your afternoon with a spritz at PIER BAR – or arrive by boat via the private pontoon if the occasion calls for it – and settle into one of the cabanas. Weekdays bring Happy Hour (or ‘sunset hour’ at Pier One); weekends bring the DJs. After an even sweeter experience? The Everyday Creamery and Matcha Kiosk is slinging mango and vanilla soft serve – classic and those spiked with Midori and gin alike.

PIER Dining is an ode to contemporary Australian flavours across the terrace, pier and dining room. On its seafood-leaning menu are Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, potato scallops with salmon roe and crème fraîche, chicken with melting sundried tomato butter, vodka rigatoni with Shark Bay prawns. And the ‘Pierlova’ – that’s pavlova with chocolate, dulce de leche and banana is worth saving room for. Make sure to ask for the wine list – it’s 100 per cent Australian drops.

Around town

luna park, sydney opera house and sydney harbour bridge — Explore the neighbourhood during your stay. (Credit: Destination NSW)

If you’re strong enough to polish off just one last pastry from the breakfast buffet and walk out the door, we applaud you. Luna Park across the harbour beckons with its wide grin, while a glance upward might spur you to climb the Bridge’s famous iron arches. The Opera House – just across Circular Quay from the Museum of Contemporary Art – sings out for a concert.

You’ll want to book ahead for those hot-ticket performances at Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, just a few minutes’ walk south of the hotel. Ten minutes further brings you to the waterfront bars, restaurants and clubs of Barangaroo, or the karaoke, gardens and dim sum of Chinatown further afield.

Keep the mellow of your weekend getaway going with a stop at Barangaroo Reserve, watching the yachts go by – all before returning for that Sydney sundowner at Pier One.

Ready to make that Pier One stay a reality? Book the ultimate Sydney staycation at pieronesydneyharbour.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