Hanging around after Christmas? Here's what's open for eating, drinking and city exploring. Opening hours, offerings and prices will vary by day, and not all businesses will be open every day. Be sure to check with the venue directly before visiting.

Check back later in the year to see what's open on Christmas Day in 2025.

Free things to do between Christmas and New Year's in Melbourne

Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday
Until

Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday

NGV's exhibition brings together the work of more than 50 designers.

Creative Acts: Artists and their inspirations
Until

Creative Acts: Artists and their inspirations

Explore the process, passion and practice of five visionary Australian artists.

Wham, Bam, Thank You Jam
Until

Wham, Bam, Thank You Jam

A free weekly improvised musical comedy with a rotation of Melbourne's finest comedians.

Laugh Lab
Until

Laugh Lab

Come watch some of Melbourne's best comedians perform in the cosiest cocktail bar in town

World of the Book
Until

World of the Book

Explore the rare, the sacred and the iconic in the 20th anniversary of this annual exhibition.

Free Guided Walk
Until

Free Guided Walk

A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Let's Party: NGV Fashion for Kids

Let's Party: NGV Fashion for Kids

Step into a vibrant world of colour, creativity and celebration.

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure
Until

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

A free fun outdoor seek and find adventure around the Fitzroy Gardens.

The Sunday Market at Southgate
Until

The Sunday Market at Southgate

Explore the Sunday Market at Southgate and meet the makers.

The Jam
Until

The Jam

The Jam is a high-energy, full-venue jam with live music, DJs and unstoppable vibes.

More of the best things to do between Christmas and New Year's in Melbourne

DIVA

DIVA

From opera stars to pop icons, celebrate the power and creativity of the diva.

Cats the Musical

Cats the Musical

Be thrilled by the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical, Cats.

Anastasia the Musical

Anastasia the Musical

Discover the romantic and adventure-filled Broadway production inspired by the beloved film.

Game Worlds
Until

Game Worlds

ACMI's new playable exhibition features more than 30 videogames from the 1970s to today.

Westwood | Kawakubo

Westwood | Kawakubo

NGV’s summer exhibition pairs two icons of the fashion world, Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo.

State Library Victoria Unlocked
Until

State Library Victoria Unlocked

On this exclusive tour, gain access to State Library Victoria before the doors open to the public.

Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard
Until

Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard

See one of the most significant European Viking-age discoveries of the 21st century.

Melbourne Paint Lab Art Workshop
Until

Melbourne Paint Lab Art Workshop

At Melbourne Paint Lab you can splash, splatter and drip paint to unleash your inner artist.

The F1 Exhibition

The F1 Exhibition

The F1 Exhibition makes its long-awaited debut in Australia.

Punting on the Lake
Until

Punting on the Lake

Glide between the bays and islands of Ornamental Lake on a guided boat cruise.

LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition
Until

LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition

Step into a world of epic battles, spaceships and landscapes from a galaxy far, far away.

NRMA Insurance Men's Ashes Boxing Day Test

NRMA Insurance Men's Ashes Boxing Day Test

The Ashes, the most iconic series in world cricket is the ultimate Melbourne summer vibe.

Restaurants open between Christmas and New Year's in Melbourne

Remember: opening hours, offerings and prices will vary by day, and not all businesses will be open every day. Be sure to check with the venue directly before visiting.

Bench Coffee Co

Bench Coffee Co

An espresso bar situated along Melbourne’s Little Collins Street.

Operator Diner

Operator Diner

A diner-style cafe serving all-day breakfast, coffees and sandwiches.

Butchers Diner

Butchers Diner

Diner and takeaway joint serving burgers, steaks and rotating daily specials.

La Petite Crêperie

La Petite Crêperie

Tiny takeaway kiosk serving up authentic French crepes.

Section 8 Bar

Section 8 Bar

A funky outdoor bar with drinks served from a converted shipping container.

Her Melbourne

Her Melbourne

A four-storey mega venue celebrating modern food, drinks, music and art.

Arbory Bar and Eatery

Arbory Bar and Eatery

Riverside outdoor eatery with all-day dining and a wide selection of drinks.

Robata

Robata

Features Japanese grilled dishes, fresh sashimi and select cuts of premium beef.

Hector's Deli

Hector's Deli

Your friendly neighbourhood sandwich shop, now in the city.

The Douglas Club

The Douglas Club

Set within the Equity Chambers Building, The Douglas Club is the perfect spot for a city drink.

Mill Place Merchants

Mill Place Merchants

A cocktail bar hidden behind a vintage dressing room in a building dating back to the 1840s.

Yum Sing House

Yum Sing House

Modern Asian dining and a late-night bar with the hedonistic spirit of 1960s Hong Kong.

Hofbräuhaus

Hofbräuhaus

Delivering hand-selected German beer, authentic food and classic hospitality since 1968.

Arlechin

Arlechin

Arlechin is a cocktail and wine bar.

Le Yeahllow

Le Yeahllow

This second Lt Bourke St branch serves artisan cake and coffee every day, for dine-in or to-go.

Maison Bâtard

Maison Bâtard

Chris Lucas' Maison Bâtard heralds a grand new legacy for a heritage Bourke Street site.

Daughter in Law

Daughter in Law

Colourful bar and restaurant serving 'unauthentic' Indian food.

Chin Chin

Chin Chin

A fast-paced hawker-style dining sensation serving Thai-inspired food.

Torissong

Torissong

Torissong Japanese restaurant specialises in yakitori chicken skewers, seafood and ramen.

Last updated on Tue 7 Oct 2025

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