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.

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

Step inside the unseen inner worlds of artists at State Library Victoria.

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.

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.

Bloom: By Melbourne Central x Melissa Likes Sushi
Until

Bloom: By Melbourne Central x Melissa Likes Sushi

Step inside the immersive installation wrapping the historic Shot Tower in vibrant greenery.

Swinging 60s
Until

Swinging 60s

Did the sixties really swing in Victoria? A new exhibition from the Old Treasury Building.

The Ashes Boxing Day Show

The Ashes Boxing Day Show

Meet legendary cricketers Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming.

Free family fun

Boxing Day Test Summer Fest

Boxing Day Test Summer Fest

The energy spills beyond the boundary as the Boxing Day Festival returns to Yarra Park.

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure
Until

Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure

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

Let's Party: NGV Fashion for Kids
Until

Let's Party: NGV Fashion for Kids

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

Melbourne City Christmas Treasure Hunt
Until

Melbourne City Christmas Treasure Hunt

Collect a map from the Mary Martin Bookshop to go on a magical city treasure hunt.

The Great Gummy Bear Escape
Until

The Great Gummy Bear Escape

Enjoy this free, large-scale festive experience designed for families and friends.

Myer Christmas Windows
Until

Myer Christmas Windows

Experience the magic of Christmas at the Playful LEGO Christmas Story Myer Christmas Windows.

Shrine Kids
Until

Shrine Kids

Embark on a family adventure with this engaging program designed for discovery at every turn.

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

DIVA
Until

DIVA

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

Westwood | Kawakubo
Until

Westwood | Kawakubo

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

Pixar Putt at Marvel Stadium
Until

Pixar Putt at Marvel Stadium

School holiday fun with the pop-up mini-golf sensation.

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.

The F1 Exhibition
Until

The F1 Exhibition

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

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.

Moonlight Cinema
Until

Moonlight Cinema

Kick back with a film under the stars at Melbourne’s most spectacular open-air cinema.

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.

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.

The Idols of Musical Theatre

The Idols of Musical Theatre

Join Casey Donovan, Paulini and Rob Mills for a feel-good musical reunion bursting with nostalgia.

New Year's Eve and The Day Before Gala Concerts

New Year's Eve and The Day Before Gala Concerts

Ring in 2026 with Marina Prior, Lucy Durack, Simon Gleeson and the Australian Pops Orchestra.

Darkfield
Until

Darkfield

Be immersed in an audio experience inside a shipping container as Darkfield returns for the summer.

The Magic Table
Until

The Magic Table

Experience an immersive 3D dinner show, perfect for curious minds of all ages.

7 Paintings Dining Experience
Until

7 Paintings Dining Experience

A dinner show that combines art, technology, and culinary delight into a unique experience.

Hot Air Balloon Dining Experience
Until

Hot Air Balloon Dining Experience

Gather with friends and family at The Wharf Hotel's hot air balloon dining pods.

BABBA

BABBA

See the most exciting and musically accurate tribute to ABBA in the world.

A-League Men: Melbourne Victory vs Wellington Phoenix

A-League Men: Melbourne Victory vs Wellington Phoenix

Watch international stars and upcoming talents go to battle as Victory take on the Nix on home soil.

Order Up: A City Fed by Many Cultures
Until

Order Up: A City Fed by Many Cultures

Experience the soul of Melbourne’s hospitality scene like never before and this exhibition.

The Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows

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

Maho Magic Bar
Until

Maho Magic Bar

A dazzling Tokyo night of mischief, magic and cocktails with Japan's sleight-of-hand superstars.

The best happy hours

A martini cocktail with a lemon rind garnish resting on the edge of the glass, on a marble-topped table.

The Douglas Club

Enjoy a martini of your choice for just $16, 7pm–9pm daily, 29 Dec to 18 Jan.

Special offer
Glasses of rose and spritz with a plate of oysters.

Chancery Lane

Enjoy Happy Hour Mon to Fri, 5–7pm with $15 Champagne, $15 cocktails, $6 beer and $4 oysters.

Special offer
Hand holding an orange spritz next to a plate of lavosh.

Matilda

Enjoy $15 Champagne, $12 rosé spritz, $8 schooners, paired with delicious snacks. Fri-Sun, 4-6pm

Special offer

The General Assembly

Enjoy $10 wines and spritzes or $8 schooners, Monday to Friday 4pm-7pm.

Special offer

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.

The Douglas Club

The Douglas Club

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

Allegro Restaurant

Allegro Restaurant

Innovative Australian cuisine hidden in the treetops of Collins St, with city views.

Her Melbourne

Her Melbourne

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

Her Bar Melbourne

Her Bar Melbourne

A European restaurant and bar serving diverse wines, seasonal plates, and modern cocktails.

Robata

Robata

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

BKK

BKK

A turbocharged Thai canteen, serving Bangkok-inspired street food from a fiery open-concept kitchen

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.

Last updated on Thu 11 Dec 2025

Christmas

Christmas things to do

Christmas things to do

The city’s wrapped and ready with magical moments, twinkling lights and festive fun.

Christmas eat and drink

Christmas eat and drink

Savour the city’s festive flavours with rooftop bars, laneways and menus made for merry moments.

Christmas shopping

Christmas shopping

Start ticking off your list in the city’s iconic laneways, arcades and malls.

Discover more

The best free and cheap family activities

The best free and cheap family activities

Find family-friendly fun and free events in Melbourne this Christmas.

Melbourne's best blockbuster events

Melbourne's best blockbuster events

The best major events on in Melbourne this year.

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.