Christmas in July celebrations expand across the United States

Christmas in July is a seasonal tradition where Americans stage holiday-themed events during the summer. Long‑standing festivals include a multi‑day celebration in a North Carolina town that began in 1987, a pool party in a small Illinois community, and a campground gathering in Michigan. On the East Coast, a New Jersey boardwalk hosts beach movie screenings and "elf storytime" activities.

The Hallmark Channel also marks the season with daily programming from late June through July, featuring classic holiday movies and new releases such as "Christmas Under Construction." Holiday decorators like Lance Devereux and content creator Tierney Robb use the occasion to showcase seasonal décor, host themed parties, and offer low‑cost alternatives to December celebrations. Hallmark Media’s programming head Michelle Vicary says the event reflects viewers’ year‑round desire for holiday content.