20+ Christmas in July 2025 Party Ideas

1. Santa's Summer Vacation

Santa’s traded his sleigh for a flamingo float and is chilling in your backyard. This party idea is all about setting up a laid-back beach vibe with a twist. Think palm trees, red pool floats, and kids running around in elf hats and flip-flops. It’s great for a pool party or even just sprinklers in the yard.

2. North Pole Snow Cone Station

Turn your snack table into a mini North Pole with a snow cone stand. Set out crushed ice, syrup bottles, and striped paper cones so kids can build their own frosty treats. It’s a cool break from the heat and doubles as a fun, interactive activity. Decorate the table with elf signs, snowflake confetti, and festive straws to keep things on theme.

3. Reindeer Pool Party

It’s Rudolph’s day off, and he’s headed straight to the pool. Fill your space with reindeer-themed floaties, games, and snacks. You can toss in red beach balls, play “pin the nose on Rudolph,” or set up a reindeer ring toss with pool noodles. A big banner and themed accessories will make everything pop.

4. Elf Games Obstacle Course

Bring on the silly with a mini “Elf Training Camp” obstacle course. Set up stations for sack races, candy cane limbo, and gift wrap relays across your backyard or living room. Kids can compete in teams, collect stickers, and finish with medals or mini prizes. Use cones, signs, and striped tape to mark out each game area.

5. Santa's Selfie Station

This one’s all about photos and memories. Set up a fun little corner with props like sunglasses-wearing Santa masks, tinsel frames, and goofy signs. Add a tropical backdrop, maybe even a cardboard sleigh or surfboard, and you’ve got a perfect setup for guests to snap pics. It’s simple to do indoors or out, and kids love dressing up.

6. Christmas Lights Glow Swim

When the sun goes down, let the party light up. Turn your backyard into a glowing holiday wonderland with string lights, floating lanterns, and glow-in-the-dark accessories. Use battery-powered lights in red and green, toss in some glow sticks, and hand out light-up bracelets for a full nighttime effect. It’s especially great for late summer evenings with older kids or teens.

7. Summer-Style Snowball Fight

No snow? No problem. Swap snowballs for white water balloons or soft foam balls and let the games begin. Create “snowball zones,” line up buckets of ammo, and set a timer for a few fast rounds of chaos and laughs. It’s perfect for hot days and big groups of kids.

8. Mistletoe Margarita Mixer

This one’s for the grown-ups. Set up a DIY drink station with margaritas, fruity mixers, and holiday drinkware. Decorate the table with red-and-green stir sticks, themed labels, and string lights to set the mood. You can even print silly drink name tags like “The Naughty List” or “Santa’s Summer Squeeze.”

9. DIY Ornament Decorating Table

Bring a little crafting to your party with an ornament station. Set out clear ornaments, glitter, paint pens, and stickers, and let kids (or adults) design their own keepsakes. This works great as a chill, sit-down activity, especially if you’ve got a wide range of ages. Cover your table with a bright tablecloth, organize supplies in caddies, and keep paper towels handy.

10. Frozen Fruit Wreath Platter

Turn your snack tray into a holiday centerpiece. Use kiwi, watermelon, strawberries, and grapes to shape a giant fruit wreath that’s as refreshing as it is fun to make. Add mini marshmallows as “snow,” and use a bow-shaped dish in the center for dip. It’s great as a showstopper on your food table and easy to prep in advance.

11. Christmas Carnival

Bring on the games with a backyard carnival that’s packed with holiday cheer. Think ring toss with candy cane hoops, a mini prize booth, and “Santa Says” instead of “Simon Says.” Set up a few tables with popcorn, snow cones, and small game stations to keep kids moving. Use bright signage, striped tents, and fun music to set the scene.

12. Backyard Christmas Movie Night

Set up a projector, grab some blankets, and screen a holiday classic like Elf or The Grinch. This idea is all about cozy summer nights and easy movie-time magic. You can create a movie-style snack bar with popcorn, drinks, and themed candy while kids spread out on picnic mats or lawn chairs. Add twinkle lights around the viewing area to give it that Christmas sparkle.

13. Elf Ice Cream Stand

Mix the magic of elves with the joy of ice cream! Set up a scoop-your-own sundae bar with red and green sprinkles, candy toppings, and waffle cones. Label everything with playful elf names like “Jingle Chips” and “Snowcap Swirls.” Kids can mix and match their creations while wearing mini elf hats or aprons.

14. Christmas Craft Corner

Create a chill zone for kids to sit down and make fun holiday crafts. Think paper snowflakes, ornament coloring pages, and popsicle stick reindeer all summer-style. This is a great idea for balancing high-energy games with quieter creative time. Use bright buckets to organize supplies and decorate the table with bold, playful patterns.

15. Santa's Pet Parade

Get the pets involved by throwing a mini parade just for them! Ask guests to dress their dogs (or cats!) in summer-style holiday outfits—think reindeer sunglasses, elf collars, or tropical Santa shirts. Line up a short walking route with fun signs and maybe even offer small “awards” for best costume or silliest strut. Kids love seeing the pets in costume, and it makes for amazing photo ops.

16. Ornament Hunt

Think of this one like an Easter egg hunt but for mini holiday treasures. Hide ornaments, gift boxes, or candy canes around the yard and let kids search using clue cards or a printed map. You can even create color-coded sets for different age groups to keep things fair. Finish with a prize table where kids can trade their finds for little goodies.

17. Fire Pit Night

Combine a backyard fire pit with a holiday twist for a cozy nighttime party. Roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and add red-and-green sprinkles to the mix. Kids can tell stories or sing silly carols while wrapped in Christmas-colored blankets. You don’t need snow to make this one feel like winter fun.

18. Tie-Dye Christmas Shirts

Add color to your party with a tie-dye station that sticks to red, green, and white. Let guests decorate t-shirts, socks, or tote bags with squirt bottles and stamps. This is a great midday activity that gives everyone something they can wear (or gift!) later. Just be sure to lay down a tarp and provide drying racks to keep the mess under control.

19. Wrap Battle Relay

Split into teams and compete to wrap a “present” the fastest—only catch? You have to wear oven mitts! This silly, fast-paced game gets everyone laughing and makes for hilarious photos. Use boxes for wrapping, set a time limit, and let judges award points for neatness, speed, or creativity. It's a fun way to mix friendly competition into the celebration.

20. Tropical Tinsel Brunch

Host a late morning or early afternoon party with a holiday-themed brunch outside. Serve things like fruit kabobs, pancake stacks with whipped cream “snow,” and hot cocoa over ice. Add tinsel streamers, mini table trees, and bright napkins for a bold, sunny look. This is a great option for family get-togethers or low-key mornings with friends.

21. Summer Secret Santa

Give the classic Secret Santa gift swap a summer makeover. Have guests draw names ahead of time or pick from a bowl at the party, then exchange small gifts. You can set a price limit and encourage creative or silly gift ideas. Think beach toys, snacks, or holiday-themed goodies. Set up a gift table with tags, markers, and a festive sign to keep things organized.

22. Elf on the Shelf Games

Bring the Elf on the Shelf to life with playful indoor and outdoor challenges. Create a scavenger hunt where kids find the elf in funny places. Have everyone complete silly tasks he “left behind,” like balancing candy canes or stacking marshmallows. You can also have kids race to be the fastest elf in games like “Elf Freeze Dance” or “Present Stack Relay.” It’s a great theme to mix movement, imagination, and laughs throughout the day.

Christmas in July is exactly what it sounds like. It is a chance to celebrate the holiday season in the middle of summer. 

Think Santa in sandals, snow cones instead of hot cocoa, and pool floats in place of sleigh rides. It’s a fun way to mix up your summer calendar with games, decorations, and gift swaps. Some people throw parties for fun, while others use the time to start shopping early for December. 

However you do it, a Christmas in July party is all about celebrating joy, creativity, and community, just with sunshine instead of snow.

The very first Christmas in July party was held in 1933 at Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina. The campers celebrated with fake snow, carols, Santa visits, and a full holiday setup, all in the middle of summer. 

The idea caught on over time, especially after the 1940 movie "Christmas in July" made it popular. By the 1950s, retailers had picked it up and used it as a way to run big mid-year sales. Today, it’s both a fun tradition and a smart excuse for a summer party.

So to answer the much-Googled question of why Christmas in July is even a thing, the answer is a mix of imaginative campers, a quirky 1940s romcom, and a good excuse to throw a sale.

Christmas in July is typically celebrated on July 25, though it’s not a hard-and-fast rule. The first known celebration happened on July 24th and 25th at Keystone Camp. This year, July 25 falls on a Friday, making it an ideal time to kick off a full weekend of summer holiday fun.

You can throw any of the party ideas we shared above that day, or pick any time in July that works for you. No matter when you celebrate, remember that it’s all about making summer a little more magical, fake snow or no.

From Christmas party decor to summer-ready tableware, Moment & Co has everything you need to make your party happen. Pick your favorite Christmas in July party idea (or three), load up your cart, and let summer magic do the rest.