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

The Outsiders Melbourne
Until

The Outsiders Melbourne

An exhibition of the largest street-art collection in Australia, including a whole room of Banksys.

Rekospective: The Art of Reko Rennie
Until

Rekospective: The Art of Reko Rennie

Reko Rennie's largest presentation of work to date and his first-ever retrospective exhibition.

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure
Until

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

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

Honk: Untitled Goose Exhibition
Until

Honk: Untitled Goose Exhibition

Explore the cheeky world of the iconic game with playable displays and behind-the-scenes insights.

The Story of the Moving Image
Until

The Story of the Moving Image

An ongoing exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Ribbon of Reflection
Until

Ribbon of Reflection

A garden installation inspired by the vibrant colours of Australian military medal ribbons.

Making Memoir of a Snail
Until

Making Memoir of a Snail

Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.

Int. Spaceship – Night
Until

Int. Spaceship – Night

An immersive, text-based role-playing game experience inspired by cinema and ACMI's exhibitions.

NGV Architecture Commission: Home Truth by Breathe
Until

NGV Architecture Commission: Home Truth by Breathe

The NGV's 2024 Architecture Commission is designed by architecture and design studio Breathe.

Wurrdha Marra
Until

Wurrdha Marra

Sharing the work of First Nations artists across time and place.

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

Yayoi Kusama
Until

Yayoi Kusama

From polka dots to pumpkins, Yayoi Kusama comes to NGV with a world-premiere blockbuster exhibition.

Van Gogh
Until

Van Gogh

See Van Gogh reimagined with a world-first shared VR experience.

Moonlight Cinema
Until

Moonlight Cinema

Australia’s favourite outdoor cinema is back for another season under the stars.

Punting on the Lake
Until

Punting on the Lake

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

Disney's Beauty and the Beast the Musical
Until

Disney's Beauty and the Beast the Musical

Experience Disney's new enchanting musical, Beauty and the Beast.

Darkfield
Until

Darkfield

Be immersed in an audio experience inside a shipping container when Darkfled returns for the summer.

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical
Until

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical

The inspiring life story of the Queen of Rock, who didn’t just break the rules – she rewrote them.

Sister Act
Until

Sister Act

Don’t miss the Broadway and UK smash hit musical, direct from London’s West End.

Imaginator
Until

Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

The Fans Strike Back: The Exhibition
Until

The Fans Strike Back: The Exhibition

A spectacular showcase of Star Wars memorabilia.

Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum

Explore history, culture, science, and nature at this popular Melbourne attraction.

The Merry Wives of Windsor
Until

The Merry Wives of Windsor

A vibrant and eclectic adaption of the great Sir John Fallstaff’s last stand.

Dear Evan Hansen
Until

Dear Evan Hansen

Enjoy this brand new production of the Broadway smash-hit musical.

The Wind in the Willows
Until

The Wind in the Willows

Kenneth Grahame’s immortal story of life on the riverbank is brought to life.

Cats & Dogs
Until

Cats & Dogs

From cattle dogs to lap dogs, divine felines to cat superstitions, explore more than 250 works.

Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition
Until

Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition

Experience the heart of Paris, right here in Melbourne.

The Future and Other Fictions
Until

The Future and Other Fictions

Discover the people, artworks and ideas that shape tomorrow.

Antopia
Until

Antopia

Shrink down to enter the fascinating world of ants in a new interactive digital exhibition.

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.

Afloat Capri

Afloat Capri

Melbourne's favourite floating bar and restaurant returns as Afloat Capri.

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 Restaurant & Karaoke Bar

Yum Sing House Restaurant & Karaoke Bar

Modern Asian dining and late-night karaoke 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 specialise in yakitori chicken skewers, seafood and ramen.

Last updated on Mon 20 Jan 2025

Only In The City

Melbourne's essential night-time events

Melbourne's essential night-time events

From hidden laneway markets to epic pop-ups, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out.

What's free in Melbourne this month

What's free in Melbourne this month

Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.

The best free and cheap family activities

The best free and cheap family activities

Find family-friendly fun and free events in Melbourne.

Discover more

Melbourne's best blockbuster events

Melbourne's best blockbuster events

The best major events on in Melbourne this year.

Opera for the Dead (祭歌)

Opera for the Dead (祭歌)

Wander through an immersive music and visual experience.

Walks and itineraries

Walks and itineraries

These self-guided walks and itineraries will help you discover Melbourne's best sights.

Melbourne music walk

Melbourne music walk

Discover Melbourne’s music highlights, from music venues to busking hot spots and historic sites.