The high temperature on Christmas Day in Sydney, Australia, reached 84° F (29° C), and residents and tourists took to Bondi Beach to play and cool off. Gathered here are images from the past few years of the mid-summer Christmas season in Australia, with families cutting and decorating Christmas trees, shopping in busy seafood markets, visiting colorful light shows, singing Christmas carols, giving gifts, and playing at the beach.
Christmas Down Under
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Irish backpacker Genna Woods adjusts her small Christmas tree she planted in the sand as she celebrates Christmas Day at Sydney's Bondi Beach in Australia on December 25, 2016 #
David Gray / Reuters -
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A family cuts down their own Christmas Tree at Sydney Christmas Tree Farm at Duffy's Forest on December 13, 2014. Visitors select their own tree from over 4,000 available before cutting it down and transporting it back to their home in time for Christmas. #
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Over one million lights were set up in Canberra's CBD officially breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest LED Christmas display on November 29, 2014 in Canberra, Australia. #
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Thousands of runners in Father Christmas suits pose for a group photo after completing an annual Santa fun run from Darling Harbour to the Sydney Opera House on December 7, 2014. #
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Taronga Zoo's 15-month-old chimpanzee "Fumo" leaps off a log while carrying one of his Christmas presents after the chimps at the exhibit discovered some gift-wrapped food treats and other tasty decorations in Sydney on December 9, 2014. #
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People dressed as Santa Claus and his elves stand on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on December 7, 2016 with a map featuring Australian homes slated for gift delivery on Christmas Day. #
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Crowds gather for last minute shopping before Christmas at the Sydney Fish Market on December 24, 2015. The Sydney Fish Markets experience their busiest trade over the Christmas week including a 36 hour marathon from 5am December 23 until 5pm Christmas Eve. #
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Crowds form to watch Woolworths Carols in the Domain in Sydney on December 19, 2015. Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australia's largest Christmas concert featuring some of Australia's and the world's best-loved artists performing Christmas songs and carols. #
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A young boy looks through a window as he views the Cambage Court Christmas Lights display in the suburb of Davidson after the residents decorated their home and open the yard to visitors in celebration of Christmas on December 19, 2016 in Sydney. #
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A Christmas-themed projection featuring Mary and baby Jesus illuminates the facade of Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral on the opening night of the Catholic church's celebration of the Christmas season on December 8, 2016. #
Jason Reed / Reuters
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