Christmas in the Blue Mountains 2026: Where to Eat and Stay
Spending Christmas in the Blue Mountains is a great idea. If you are visiting Sydney or don’t have a big family to celebrate with, a Christmas getaway to the mountains makes the holiday special. We have pulled together the best places to eat and stay over the festive season to help convince you.
Plenty of Blue Mountains restaurants and hotels open for Christmas Day lunch, and some also run Christmas Eve dinners. Public transport runs on reduced holiday timetables on Christmas Day, and the train from Central to Katoomba takes around two hours. Popular venues book out early, so don’t wait too long to decide.
Take the train up early and enjoy a short walk at Echo Point before you head for lunch.
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We have stayed at several of the places we have included, although not for Christmas, and can vouch for their hospitality and comfort.
Prices and details were checked on 29 October 2026. Please contact venues directly to confirm availability.
Christmas Day Lunch in the Blue Mountains
These venues have confirmed their 2026 Christmas Day plans. The best spots fill quickly, so book soon. Most of the places below are in Katoomba and Leura, with the Hydro Majestic a short drive west at Medlow Bath.
Hydro Majestic Christmas Lunch at the Wintergarden
The Wintergarden Restaurant at the Hydro Majestic has views across the Megalong Valley. Christmas lunch is a three-tier feast of Christmas favourites and seafood, with a three-hour standard drinks package included.
When: Friday 25 December 2026, 11am to 3pm
Where: Hydro Majestic, 52-88 Great Western Highway, Medlow Bath
Cost: Adults $299, teens (13 to 17) $199, children (4 to 12) $99, under 4s free Book here
Hotel Mountain Heritage Christmas Lunch
Hotel Mountain Heritage is one of the original grand hotels of the Blue Mountains, with views over the Jamison Valley from its Jamison Views Restaurant.
Christmas lunch runs over the middle of the day, and kids under three eat free. Call 02 4782 2155 to book.
When: Friday 25 December 2026, 12pm to 2.30pm
Where: Hotel Mountain Heritage, corner of Apex and Lovel Streets, Katoomba
Cost: Adults $189, children (3 to 12) $49, under 3s free Book here
Christmas Lunch at Darley’s, Ardour Lilianfels
Darley’s Restaurant sits in the former Darley family summer house at Ardour Lilianfels in Katoomba, with views over the formal English gardens. Christmas lunch is a five-course menu, starting with a glass of Champagne.
When: Friday 25 December 2026, 11.30am to 1pm
Where: Darley’s Restaurant, Ardour Lilianfels, 5-19 Lilianfels Avenue, Katoomba
Cost: Adults $299, teens (13 to 17) $199 Book here
Fairmont Resort Christmas Day Lunch
Fairmont Resort in Leura has two Christmas Day lunches. A Merry Family Feast is in the decorated ballroom, with a buffet, live music, a visit from Santa and a gift for every child 12 and under.
Cheers to Christmas is for adults only, with a buffet and live music on The Terrace and in Jamison’s Restaurant. Both include a three-hour drinks package, and you sit at shared tables of 10.
When: Friday 25 December 2026. Family Feast 12pm to 3pm, Cheers to Christmas 1pm to 4pm
Where: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, 1 Sublime Point Road, Leura
Cost: From $255 per adult, children 0 to 4 free Book here
The Carrington Christmas Day Lunch
The Carrington in Katoomba is serving a Christmas Day buffet lunch with seafood and carving stations, and a sparkling drink on arrival. You can sit in the Ballroom or the Grand Dining Room.
When: Friday 25 December 2026, from 12pm (Ballroom) or 1pm (Grand Dining Room)
Where: The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba Street, Katoomba
Cost: Adults $210, children (12 and under) $95. Call 02 4782 1111 or email [email protected] More info
The Lookout Echo Point Christmas Lunch
The Lookout sits at Echo Point, looking out to the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley. Christmas lunch is a three-course shared feast with bubbles or a beer on arrival, bon bons and live music from a local duo.
When: Friday 25 December 2026
Where: The Lookout, 33 Echo Point Road, Katoomba
Cost: Adults $190, children (5 to 12) $75, under 5 free More info
Christmas Eve Dinner and Brunch in the Blue Mountains
These Christmas Eve options are confirmed for 2026.
Christmas Eve Brunch at the Orangery, Ardour Lilianfels
The Orangery at Ardour Lilianfels is serving an all-you-can-eat seafood brunch on Christmas Eve, with a festive drink on arrival. There are two 90-minute sittings.
When: Thursday 24 December 2026, sittings at 11.30am and 1.15pm
Where: Orangery Restaurant, Ardour Lilianfels, 5-19 Lilianfels Avenue, Katoomba
Cost: Adults $160, children (5 to 12) $55 Book here
The Metropole Christmas Eve Candlelight Dinner
Enjoy a three-course dinner by candlelight in The Metropole’s heritage dining room, with a live jazz duo playing through the evening. The menu is a brie and walnut tart, roast turkey breast, then tiramisu or Christmas pudding. Christmas cocktails are sold at the bar.
When: Thursday 24 December 2026, bar opens 5.30pm, dinner from 6pm
Where: The Metropole, corner of Gang Gang and Lurline Streets, Katoomba
Cost: Adults $99, children $49 Book here
Katoomba RSL
For good value, Katoomba RSL serves a two-course Christmas buffet. The Auditorium tickets, which include entertainment, have sold out. Brasserie tickets, with the same food, were still available in late October 2026.
Mains are served at 12.30pm and desserts at 2pm. Book your whole group in one transaction if you want to sit together.
When: Friday 25 December 2026, doors 11.30am, lunch 12pm to 4pm
Where: Katoomba RSL, 86 Lurline Street, Katoomba
Cost: Adults $110, children (5 to 12) $60, under 5s $35 Book here
Christmas High Tea in Leura
If you’re in the mountains before Christmas, stop in for high tea at Bygone Beautys.
Choose a Devonshire tea or a full English high tea, and take a look at the teapot collection while you’re there.
When: 7 days 10am to 5.30pm, closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, $5.50 entry redeemable on a purchase.
Where: Corner of Grose and Megalong Streets, Leura
Cost: $5 entry, redeemable on any food you buy
Christmas Accommodation Packages in the Blue Mountains
Prefer to stay the night and skip the drive home? This package covers your stay and your Christmas meals.
The Metropole Two-Night Christmas Package
The package includes two nights in a Den or Queen room, daily breakfast, the Christmas Eve candlelit dinner with live jazz, Christmas Day buffet lunch and a visit from Santa.
You can upgrade to a Deluxe Queen room for an extra fee. Contact the Metropole on (02) 4782 5544 to add children.
When: 24 and 25 December 2026
Where: The Metropole, corner of Gang Gang and Lurline Streets, Katoomba
Cost: From $749 for two adults Book here
Looking for somewhere else to stay over Christmas? See our guide to where to stay in the Blue Mountains.
What’s open on Christmas Day in the Blue Mountains
If you’re in the mountains on Christmas Day, Scenic World in Katoomba is open from 9am to 5pm on public holidays, so you can ride the Scenic Railway or Skyway between lunch and the train home.
More Blue Mountains guides to help plan your trip:
- 33 Blue Mountains Lookouts
- 12 Short Blue Mountains walks
- 50 Things to do in the Blue Mountains
- Where to Stay in the Blue Mountains
Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
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