Cheapskate's guide to Melbourne

Enjoying the best of Melbourne doesn’t have to cost the earth. Try our insider tips to wine, dine and enjoy more for less this Christmas. And if you're driving in? Book ahead at key parking providers to get the best deal.

Free Christmas fun

You don't have to break the bank to have a fun-filled Christmas. See the city's sparkling Christmas tree light up to mark the beginning of the holiday season. Then spot dazzling decorations, from a giant reindeer to a glowing Christmas star. On the Yarra River, enjoy a free spectacle of lasers and light projections at the Crown Christmas River Show. Complete your day out at the iconic Myer Windows. This year the magical displays have been built brick by brick in LEGO!

Nab a luxe lunch on the cheap

Hidden gem SilkSpoon dishes up cheap lunches every weekday. Seek out this inner-city canteen for Asian fusion dishes. Try slow-cooked duck, pork and Chinese cabbage dumplings and more for $18. There's also quick and easy meals to go. Grab a fresh salad for lunch or conquer the mid-afternoon slump with a sweet treat. Or drop by after work and enjoy $8 chicken bao, $10 spritzes and more from 5pm to 7pm, Wednesday to Friday.

Find the last cheap movie night

Most cinemas have dropped cheap Tuesdays and discount tickets all together. But you can still score a deal every Monday at Cinema Nova. Tickets are $7 before 4pm, so you can catch the latest award-winning flicks on the cheap. Can't get out of work before 4pm? Evening sessions clock in at just $11 a ticket. Choose a later session and grab a happy hour drink in the Nova Bar from 4pm to 6pm.

Ice skate for less than $20

Looking for a cheap rainy-day activity? Give ice skating a go at O’Brien Icehouse. On Tuesdays entry comes in under $20 including skate hire when you book tickets online. Whether you’re a beginner or an ice-skating pro, the Olympic-sized rink offers an epic day of fun.

Grab the best happy hour deals

Time things right, and a chilled cocktail could be yours at a bargain price. Visit The Boatbuilders Yard on Sundays this summer for $16 cocktails, $11 pints and $9 wines from 4pm to 8pm. Get dumplings for a fiver with any boozy drink at Magic Mountain Saloon from 3pm to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday.

Feast on the best cheap eats

On the lookout for a budget lunch? New Vietnamese diner Saigon Square has deals for under $11. Try the beef pho, broken rice and traditional spring rolls for $10.90. Or if you've yet to check out Soi 38's new location, the $12 boat noodles are always a winner. A tenner can also get you a mouth-watering kim-cheese jaffle at Three Drops or chicken banh mi at Madame Vuu next door. In a hurry? Tokui Sushi offers fresh and affordable hand rolls for $3 a pop.

Try unlimited yoga classes

Unwind and stretch your way through two weeks of unlimited yoga at Yoga Corner. Available to new yoga students, the intro offer is just $55 for all the yoga you can squeeze into your schedule. After the two weeks, drop-in classes are $30. The practice is made up of balance and movements to workout both your body and mind.

Score discounted theatre tickets

If you've always dreamed of winning the lottery, here's your chance. Snatch up last-minute tickets through TodayTix. You'll find some of Melbourne's biggest shows, from the rock musical Hair to the passionate opera Carmen. Halftix also offers solid deals for shows across the city. Get in before they close and pick up cheap entry to events at the Athenaeum Theatre, The Comic's Lounge and more. Then set an alarm for Tuesday at 12pm. Arts Centre sells discounted theatre tickets for a 12-hour window every week.

Get exclusive offers on Melbourne events

Want to stay up-to-date on things to see and do in Melbourne? The weekly What's On Melbourne newsletter showcases the best free events, new restaurants and more. Keep an eye out for discounted tickets to blockbuster events. Think festivals, live music and theatre shows. Subscribe here for updates every Wednesday.