With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to get festive the fancy way.
You’ve heard of festive feasts and Christmas markets, but there’s another way you can get into the spirit this silly season. Festive high teas are popping up across the country, enticing guests with sweets, treats and irresistible eats.
But there’s more to high tea than getting dressed up and indulging. It’s a way to celebrate a special occasion – and what’s more special than Christmas? Combine two great things and you get something incredible. These are the 15 best festive high teas you need to book now!
1. Festive Afternoon Tea at The Fullerton, Sydney
When: 1–31 December
Cost: from $78 per person
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney is a luxurious hotel setting the table for a Festive Afternoon Tea this silly season. Running throughout December in the lead-up to Christmas, the delectable event invites guests and visitors alike to indulge in some delicious festive treats.
Whether you prefer sweet treats or savoury morsels, you’ll be spoilt for choice at The Fullerton. Wash everything down with your choice of tea, coffee or bubbles. The Festive Afternoon Tea will be held in The Bar, a cosy respite from the city and summer heat.
2. Christmas High Tea with Sheraton, Sydney
When: 25 November – 31 December
Cost: $89 per adult; $45 for children aged 4–12
In the heart of Sydney’s CBD, the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park is another of the city’s top accommodation offerings. And come Christmas, the hotel hosts its Christmas High Tea, a festive take on its already-amazing high tea experience.
Held at The Gallery in the hotel’s lobby, the high tea includes a range of lavish sweet and savoury treats, as well as your choice of coffee and The Tea Centre loose-leaf teas. Feeling fancy? Upgrade your booking to include free-flowing champagne for just $30 per person.
3. High Tea with Santa, Sydney
When: 9 November – 24 December
Cost: $95 per person; $75 for children aged 1–12
You’re invited to Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building this Christmas to have High Tea with Santa! Held in the Team Room, executive chef Rob Crichton has created a bespoke Christmas-themed menu for all to enjoy, including sweet and savoury snacks.
You’re not the only one invited though. Santa himself is taking a break from his busy schedule to pop in for a bite to eat and a photo! A professional photographer will be onsite to capture happy snaps with old Saint Nick before he has to jet off to the North Pole in time for Christmas.
4. Christmas High Tea with Mary Eats Cake, Melbourne
When: 1–31 December
Cost: $75 per person (weekdays); $79 per person (weekends)
Mary Eats Cake is one of Victoria’s most iconic catering services, known for delicious sweet treats served at both its Brunswick and Montrose venues. This year, the cake-loving company will be hosting a delightful Christmas High Tea like no other during December.
Think unlimited cups of tea, fresh scones, Christmas-themed mocktails and cocktails, four savoury bites, three sweet delights and a special Christmas cookie. Upgrade to the canapé package and you’ll be treated to a glass of sparkling on arrival, plus an extra food option per person.
5. Festive Afternoon Tea with The Langham, Melbourne
When: 1 December – 1 January
Cost: from $138 per person; $60 for children aged 3–12
Celebrate the most wonderful time of year with The Langham at its Festive Afternoon Tea in the Victorian capital. The banquet will be held at Aria Bar & Lounge, a befitting space with plush sofas, marble tables and huge windows draped with wispy white curtains.
Indulge in a mouth-watering arrangement of sweet and savoury festive-themed delights on three-tiered stands. And if you’ve missed Christmas Day with the family, don’t fret. The finger-licking event runs until 1 January, so you can still celebrate with loved ones in style.
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6. Festive High Tea with W Brisbane, Brisbane
When: 8 November – 29 December
Cost: starting at $79 per person; $45 for children aged 3–12
If you’re in the Queensland capital this Christmas, head to the W Brisbane for a fun-filled Festive High Tea at the Living Room Bar. Not only is the five-star hotel one of the best places to stay in Brisbane, but a fantastic spot to celebrate the silly season.
Devour a tower of sweet and savoury treats, paired with two hours of bottomless tea and coffee. Adults can also add on a delicious, spiced holiday highball cocktail or glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne upon arrival. Afterwards, get hands-on and build your own gingerbread house!
7. Nutcracker Christmas High Tea, Gold Coast
When: 16 December
Cost: $95 per person; $70 per child
For one day only, the Home of the Arts (HOTA) on Queensland’s sunny Gold Coast is hosting an exclusive Nutcracker Christmas High Tea. In an exciting turn of events, the festive feast will run in tangent with an enchanting live performance of The Nutcracker in HOTA’s Theatre 1.
Guests can expect a drool-worthy menu featuring smoked cheddar and caramelised onion scones, Gold Coast prawn toast, Choux au craquelin and Sugar Plum Fairy tarts. Adults can cheers to Christmas with a complimentary glass of prosecco too!
8. Christmas High Tea at Queensland Parliament, Brisbane
When: select dates between 26 November and 18 December
Cost: $69.50 per person
In the heart of the city with views across the Brisbane River, Queensland Parliament may not seem like the most festive of places. However, its Christmas High Tea, hosted within Strangers’ Restaurant, is one of the best on offer across the city.
The festive menu has been curated to include delectable festive eats with warm, comforting flavours. Think roast turkey, cranberry and brie focaccia, Mooloolaba prawns, smoked salmon and white chocolate snowballs with cherry compote.
9. Jingle & Mingle Christmas High Tea, Launceston
When: 15 December
Cost: $75 per person; $35 per child
Cataract on Paterson is one of the best restaurants in Launceston, party due to its incredible food, and partly due to its very merry Jingle & Mingle Christmas High Tea. Start off with a festive-themed cocktail before diving into a range of sweet treats, savoury snacks and bottomless tea.
Why not make it a family affair? The Cataract team has curated a mini high tea for your mini-me. There will be plenty of kids-sized treats, as well as presents, mistletoe and Santa himself! This is a one-day-only event, so be sure to book now if you’re around Launceston this Christmas.
10. Christmas Choir Afternoon Tea, Hobart
When: 8 December, 15 December
Cost: $59 per person
If you like cake and carols, you’ll love the Christmas Choir Afternoon Tea hosted by Hadley’s Orient Hotel in Tassie’s capital of Hobart. The heritage-listed hotel takes its usual afternoon tea to the next level come the festive season with live performances by the Four Tune Finders.
The choir group, part of the Hobart Men’s Barbershop Harmony Club, promises to bring the festive cheer to your high tea experience. Listen to iconic Christmas carols as you feast on sweet and savoury bites including scones, sandwiches, tea and coffee.
11. Festive Afternoon Tea at Hearth, Perth
When: 1–31 December
Cost: from $87 per person; $49 per child
Hearth’s Signature Afternoon Tea is getting a seasonal makeover this year. Commonly known as one of Perth’s best restaurants, Hearth is hosting its Chrissie-themed event all month long this December.
Take a culinary journey through two courses – sweet and savoury – pockmarked with beverages like tea, coffee, sparkling and wine. The menu spotlights fresh local produce while keeping to its festive theme and includes vegetarian and vegan options. This isn’t one to miss!
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12. Festive High Tea at the Westin, Perth
When: 8 November – 5 January
Cost: from $79 per person
You’re in good hands with pastry chef Sarah Rix and executive chef Kevin Garcia, who are preparing a tasty menu for The Westin Perth’s Festive High Tea. Settle into your seats at Haven Lounge and let the experts do the rest, bringing you dishes like Bûche de Noёl and lobster brioche.
You can also sip on your choice of tea, coffee, a delicious, themed cocktail or glass of Moet & Chandon. Whether you want to get in early for a November sitting, dive in during December or go for Christmas round two come January, you’re sure to leave feeling sated.
13. Christmas High Tea at The Q, Adelaide
When: 16 November
Cost: $65 per person
Is there anywhere more fancy to have scones and a cuppa than a gorgeous art gallery? Didn’t think so! Located in the South Australian capital, The Q on Hallet is a stunning art gallery that plays host to a variety of community events, including its lovely Christmas High Tea.
Eat your way through five satisfying savouries and five scrumptious sweets, paired with bubbly, Christmas punch, coffee or a cup of T2 tea. Afterwards, full stomach allowing, browse The Q’s stunning range of art, which is up there with some of Adelaide’s best galleries.
14. Festive High Tea with Hilton, Darwin
When: until 15 December
Cost: $45 per person; $25 per child
Escape the heat of a Darwin summer this silly season by devouring your body weight in delicious Christmas-themed treats at Hilton Garden Inn’s Together & Co. The restaurant will play host to this year’s Festive High Tea, which will run daily until mid-December.
Seasonal snacks, perfectly brewed teas and a magical atmosphere combine to make it a cosy experience the whole family can enjoy. Think minced pies, fruit cake, smoked turkey sandwiches and eggnog shooters – yum! Make it bottomless for just $10 extra ($55 per person).
15. Festive High Tea with Hyatt, Canberra
When: 5–23 December
Cost: $85 per person; $50 for children aged 6–12
Those in the nation’s capital should treat themselves to the Hyatt Hotel Canberra’s Festive High Tea this December. Set up in the aptly named Tea Lounge to munch on savoury sandwiches, fresh baked scones and cute cakes, paired perfectly with a glass of sparkling wine.
As well as the high tea offering, the Hyatt Hotel Canberra is also offering a seafood buffet, as well as gourmet grazing-table lunches and dinners. These options will run at the same time but at differing price points ($105 per person and $65 per person respectively).
16. The Cupcake Co. Christmas High Tea, Berrima
When: 29 November – 22 December
Cost: $59.95 per person
Being a boutique cake and cupcake shop, it’s practically a given that this high tea will be nothing short of amazing. The Cupcake Co.’s indulgent Christmas high tea will see you work your way through freshly made scones with local jam and cream, assorted finger sandwiches, quiche, and a variety of sweet Christmas treats. These will be paired with either barista-made coffee or a pot of fresh loose-leaf tea. And, of course, everything will be served in festive Cristina Re crockery, adding an elegant touch to your experience.
17. High tea on Little Lonsdale, Melbourne
When: 8 November – 22 December
Cost: $80 per person
Indulge in a delightful high tea experience at the charming Dorsett Melbourne, where warmth and sophistication come together. This elegantly curated offering features freshly baked scones, delectable sandwiches, and an enticing selection of savoury delights, all perfectly complemented by your choice of premium coffee or tea. Guests will also enjoy a complimentary drink upon arrival to kick off the festivities. While the exact menu is still under wraps, rest assured that each bite has been handcrafted by the luxe hotel’s talented pastry chef.
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