It’s time to dust off the cricket bats and sun hats – backyard barbecues and celebrations by the pool are officially back on as temperatures around Australia are set to warm up on Christmas Day.

Summer is finally set to hit Canberra with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting it to be sunny and 30 degrees in the nation’s capital on Sunday.

Aussies on the east coast will get their Christmas wish – a break from unseasonably cold and wet weather, with temperatures predicted to reach the high 20s. 

The Bureau of Meteorology has released its official Christmas Day forecast and it’s promising warm and dry weather for much of the country.

Darwin is tipped to have the hottest Christmas Day, with 33C predicted, but stormy conditions are also expected. 

Hobart is expected to be the coldest capital city, at 21C, along with winds and clouds. 

The mercury in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth should peak between 27C and 31C.

The lead up to Santa’s arrival will be warm for the majority of the country, with Christmas Eve also tipped to be warm in most parts. 

Christmas Day forecast around Australia:

* Canberra 30C and sunny

* Sydney: 28C and mostly sunny

* Melbourne 27C and sunny

* Brisbane 31C and partly cloudy

* Perth 30C and sunny

* Adelaide 30C and sunny

* Hobart 21C and partly cloudy

* Darwin 33C and possible storms. 

Source: Bureau of Meteorology