Melbourne’s pulse never truly stops so although Christmas Day is quieter, there are still things to see, do and eat. Find out how to get the most out of the city with our guide to what’s open on Christmas Day.
We are so excited to reopen our space for you to share in the fun and create memories once again. All your favourite activities will be back up and running and w e'll be offering some of our house favourites from the menu. Our operating times will be reduced, please check the times listed on this page to make sure we are open or follow us on Facebook for further announcements.
If it’s a Christmas meal you’re after, see our list of restaurants offering special Christmas Day dining. Make sure you contact individual venues for booking availability. Some restaurants will be open in Chinatown,Crown Entertainment Complex, Docklands, Lygon Street and Southgate.
The following venues are open on Christmas Day:
Santa will be taking a well-earned break on Christmas Day, but Christmas Square is still open. This is your last chance to see the twinkling lights of the 16 metre tall LED Christmas tree at Federation Square. The spectacular Christmas Projections also finish on Christmas night. See this year’s feature show, a ‘Very Melbourne Night Before Christmas’. Written by Marieke Hardy and narrated by Lee Lin Chin it’s on at the State Library Victoria. After that, move on to the Melbourne Town Hall and this year’s new location, Princes Bridge.
Christmas Square at Fed Square
Finish off their 8 Days of Christmas festivities with a free Christmas day BBQ party at Section 8. Whether you’re riding solo or you want to take Nan for post-pav kick ons, they’ve got the ultimate food, bev and music lineup to make your day merry and bright. On from 2 to 11pm.
Keep the family entertained at one of these great Melbourne attractions.
Catch a Christmas Day flick at a city cinema.
Take advantage of the city being quieter to explore Melbourne’s laneways, waterfront and architectural gems. See our street art walking guide and public art sites to map your journey.
Bring a picnic and hope for good weather at these lovely parks and gardens.
See a full list of Melbourne parks or find twelve gardens close to the CBD.
Guilfoyles Volcano at the Royal Botanic Gardens
If you’re desperate for milk, bread, a sandwich or a coffee, some 7-Eleven stores will be open. These include Federation Square, Swanston Street, Elizabeth Street and Bourke Street. The IGA Express stores in Queen and Collins streets will also be open.
The Health Smart pharmacy within the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre is open 24 hours, every day of the week.
Public transport is free on Christmas day and operates to a Sunday timetable.
V/Line (regional trains) are free and operate to a Sunday timetable. Some services may require bookings.
Skybus and Starbus services to Melbourne Airport operate as normal.
Crown’s latest venture in Sydney is one of the most anticipated projects in the harbour city, as it is expected to give a new look to the Barangaroo waterfront.
The massive addition will include a hotel, apartments, restaurants and a VIP-centric casino that are slated to open on Christmas Day this year.
Casino Aus reports that construction on the project began in 2016, though sometimes stalled periodically due to legal battles and other red tape.
The estimated completion date has shifted numerous times, with James Packer saying the venture will open on December 25.
Earlier this month, the billionaire investor and Crown Resorts’ largest shareholder Mr Packer emerged from a mostly self-imposed exile from public life to tour the Crown Sydney development site.
He seemed pleased with the progress of the $2.4 billion project at Barangaroo.
In fact, he was so pleased that he announced to the media it would open to the public on Christmas Day.
When the project first began, the opening date was expected to be early 2020 for the first tower and the end of 2020 for the rest of it.
Along the way, the opening was delayed, with 2021 slated as the opening date.
Packer was particular though, naming Christmas Day of this year in his first public appearance in more than a year.
“It’s really pleasing,” Packer said tot he media, referring to the opening begin three months earlier than planned.
“We are truly indebted to our builders, architects and tradies who have made this possible.”
Crown Sydney: Exclusive look inside the 6-star hotel rooms – Daily Telegraph https://t.co/VBjN3hGAUm
— Sydney Update (@SydneyUpdate1) January 30, 2020
The most significant and lengthy delay to Crown’s plans had to do with the height of the tower.
Crown Resorts believed they paid a price for the property that included an exclusive view of the harbour.
At one point, Crown and its building partners discovered that the Barangaroo Delivery Authority, run by the New South Wales government, took bids from other companies for taller buildings that would hinder the Crown tower view.
The two entities went to court, and the battle moved through to the New South Wales Supreme Court.
In December 2018, that court ruled for Crown, ruling that the BDA violated its development agreements with Crown and co-plaintiffs Lendlease.
At appeal by the BDA resulted in a settlement.
The details were not made public, although the New South Wales government dropped its appeal and Crown retained its claim to the exclusive views.
The Crown Sydney website gives insight into the new destination for visitors to Sydney.
It is described as a “pinnacle of modern design that harmoniously brings together an opulent hotel, prestigious apartments, signature restaurants, premium gaming areas and a lavish spa.”
One Barangaroo will be the tower of residences – 82 of them – with views of the Sydney Harbour and its landmarks.
The apartments range from two to six bedroom homes with some Duplex Penthouses as well.
Packer purchased two floors of the hotel, not the residence tower, that are being converted into a second home for him.
“I grew up in Sydney, and my kids still spend time here,” he said.
“It’s a beautiful place and I hope to spend more time visiting.”
There will also be gaming at the casino, but Crown Sydney has taken special care not to call the casino a casino.
The website refers to it as a “premium table games experience”.
Evidently, there will be no pokies, only table games like baccarat, blackjack and roulette.