State Library Victoria

Feasts of Christmas past

December 15, 2025

Ask a librarian, Food, Social life & customs, Victorian history:

What are your favourite festive food memories? Have you ever enjoyed Christmas Day lunch on the beach, up a mountain or aboard a ship? Do you remember pineapple glazed ham? Would you like the 100-year-old recipe for walnut stuffing? The State Library’s historic menus, cookbooks, photos and magazines trace Christmas foods from early colonial tables to the festive flavours celebrated by our diverse migrant communities. Dive in and rediscover your favourite Christmas dishes — or find inspiration for this year’s feast.

A ghost story for Christmas

December 23, 2024

Arts & literature, Our stories, Social life & customs, Victorian history:

Colonial Australians have always battled to bring British and European traditions to the Christmas season. Roast meat and gravy, puddings and finery can still be found at many Christmas events. What is less likely to be found is the curious tradition of the Christmas Eve ghost story.

Christmas and holiday traditions we love

December 19, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:

Take a festive jaunt through our image archive as we explore some of our most beloved Christmas and holiday traditions.

Santa at McCallums Wangaratta, Victoria, 1970. Photo by Le Dawn Studios. This work is in copyright; H2006.100/1738

How to train your Santa

December 20, 2021

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

Have you spotted Santa in a department store lately? There’s more to being Santa than you might think! Let’s take a look at the history of department store Santas and explore what they learn at Santa School.

Carols by Candlelight

December 21, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:

This cherished Aussie Christmas institution is now in its 87th year, and still bringing people together across the nation.

New listening in Arts: holiday selections

December 20, 2018

Find out what’s new on the listening post in the Arts reading room. We’re featuring a holiday season selection of festive, popular, opera and film music on CD.

Festive Sights & Sounds in Arts

December 18, 2017

Music, Rare Books & Arts:

New arrivals include this festive season selection of popular, classical and choral music, children’s songs and ballet. From the Wiggles and Nutcracker to the Melbourne Symphony and Amber Lawrence, there is… Read More ›