Crown Casino Melbourne Xmas Day
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.
- Crown Casino: Avoid Christmas day in the evening - See 2,116 traveller reviews, 493 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor.
- Crown Casino: Crown casino during Christmas - See 2,116 traveler reviews, 493 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor.
Where to eat
Under the new rules, Melbourne’s Crown casino is now allowed to host up to 1000 patrons, with table games like blackjack and baccarat set to restart on Wednesday when the venue officially reopens. It's now easier to experience everything the city has to offer this Christmas with free parking between December 1 and January 3. This offer allows you to park for free in any green signed areas, with normal time restrictions applying.
Cafes and restaurants
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:
- La Petite Creperie kiosks at Swanston St and La Petite Creperie in a Vintage Caravan at QV will be open from 12pm – 10.30pm.
- The Butchers Diner is open for some carnivore style sustenance from breakfast to dinner and later into the evening.
- Auction Rooms in North Melbourne will have their kitchen open from 7.30am – 3.30pm but they’ll still be serving coffee and cakes until 5pm.
- Tim Ho Wan on Bourke Street is open from 10am – 10pm to cater for all your dumpling needs
- Square and Compass in East Melbourne are open 7.30 – 10am for coffee.
- Transport Hotel is open from 11am until late
Things to do
Christmas light shows and decorations
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
Section 8’s Christmas orphan’s party
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.
Attractions
Keep the family entertained at one of these great Melbourne attractions.
- Eureka Skydeck 88, 10am to 5.30pm
- Melbourne Zoo, 9am to 5pm
- Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, 9.30am to 6pm
- Crown Entertainment Complex, open from 12pm
- Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, 1pm to 9.30pm
Cinemas
Catch a Christmas Day flick at a city cinema.
- Village Cinemas, Crown Entertainment Complex, Southbank
- Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon Street, Carlton
- Hoyts Melbourne Central, Melbourne Central, Cnr Latrobe and Swanston Streets, Melbourne
Architecture and public walks
Crown Casino Melbourne Xmas Day 2020
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.
Parks and gardens
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
Supermarkets
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.
Chemists
The Health Smart pharmacy within the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre is open 24 hours, every day of the week.
Crown Casino Melbourne Xmas Day Images
Public transport
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.
Airport transfers
Skybus and Starbus services to Melbourne Airport operate as normal.
Whatever your usual festive traditions are - whether your family does a roast, a BBQ or platters of fresh seafood for lunch on Christmas day—it's completely unavoidable that the person responsible for getting it all onto the table doesn't tend to have the most relaxing of Christmas mornings. So this year, why not sit back and let somebody else worry about filling your little elves' tummies?
Here are our top picks for Melbourne venues putting on a great 'do for families this Christmas Day 2020. Oh, and a heads up, due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place, bookings are absolutely essential across all of our recommendations. Get in quick!
Brighton Savoy
With multiple seating options available—all boasting spectacular views of the gorgeous Port Phillip Bay, you can bet your bottom dollar that Christmas lunch at the Brighton Savoy will be fit to bursting with festive cheer. The menu boasts all of the traditional fayre you'll fancy—seafood, turkey and plum pudding to name just a few of the suspects!
Where: 150 Esplanade, Brighton
When:12.30pm - 4.00pm on the 25th December 2020
Cost: Adult $199.00, Child 12 and under $99.00, Child 4 and under $48
More information here.
Melbourne Meat Market
Relish in all things meaty this Christmas at a three-course sharing style lunch with all the trimmings, serving traditional Australian Christmas favourites like turkey, ham and seafood. Start off the feast by sipping on a glass of Mumm champagne on arrival—before sitting back, relaxing and leaving the cleaning up to someone else this year.
Where: Meat Market South Wharf, 53 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf.
When: Two-hour sittings from 12 pm - 3 pm, December 25, 2020
Cost: Adults: $129, Children: $55
More information here.
The Duke of Wellington, Flinders St
Bring all of your loved ones together over a three-course lunch full of your favourite Christmas classics at The Duke of Wellington this year. We're talking leg ham or turkey for main, plus roasted veg on the side and Christmas pud for dessert! There are two sittings, 11 am and 2 pm to accommodate social distancing measures. The cost is $95 per adult for 3 courses, and $35 per child (12 and under for two courses). Cheers to that!
Where: Level 2, 142 Flinders Street, Melbourne
When: Seatings available at 11 am and 2 pm, December 25, 2020
Cost: Adults: $95, Child under 12: $35
More information here.
Crown Casino Melbourne Xmas Day 2019
Pomelo Online - Restaurant quality Christmas at home
Relax at home on Christmas Day, undulging in the ultimate festive fare, with none of the hard work. Pomelo Online is a luxury delivery service offering restaurant quality, pre-prepared meals. With two specially curated, limited edition Christmas menus on offer, a stress-free fine dining experience full of family favourites is ready to be delivered. The Traditional Christmas Pack features a festive feast of ready to roast boneless leg ham and whole chicken roulade stuffed with pistachio and cranberry, and the Seafood Christmas Package includes a stuffed roasted salmon fillet and spencer gulf king prawns. Both packs also has an array of delicious mains, sides and dessert and comes in two sizes for 4-10 people. Each Christmas pack includes home delivery, instructions and Christmas colour-in kits to keep kids entertained.
Cost: Starting at $199 for up to six people
Find out more and order your Christmas package at Pomelo Online.
Melbourne River Cruises
Take the stress out of Christmas and spoil your family with a relaxing 3-hour lunch (from 12 pm to 3 pm) cruising along the scenic Yarra River. The lunch boasts all of your festive favourites from a hot buffet (roast turkey, roast ham, roast veg etc...) plus a cold buffet of salads and cold meats as well as a dessert bar. Drool!
Where: Southbank Promenade
When: 12 pm - 3 pm, December 25, 2020
Cost: Adult: $189.00, Child 14 - 17: $119.00, Child 2 - 13: $99
More information here.
The Windsor Hotel
Known for serving up one of the best Christmas feasts in Melbourne, The Windsor Hotel is serving up a delectable degustation dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to help you celebrate with your loved ones. Taking over The Windsor, SUNDA_ will be offering all of your Christmas favourites, imbued with SUNDA_'s trademark smattering of Southeast Asian flavours and native Aussie ingredients.
Crown Casino Melbourne Open Christmas Day
Both the Christmas Eve degustation dinner and the Christmas Day lunch are 6-course affairs; including 15 dishes from a tasting menu and free-flowing wine and beverages. While it's a gorgeous spot for a festive lunch; it isn't the most kid-friendly in our list—so definitely one for treating older kids and teenagers who love their grub, as opposed to your little ones!
Where: 111 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000
When: Christmas Eve 7pm, Christmas Day 12pm
Cost: Set price of $388 for adults and children
Crown Casino Melbourne Xmas Day Parade
More Festive Ideas For Melbourne Families
Where To See Christmas Lights
The Best Christmas Markets In Melbourne
Christmas Movies To Watch With The Family
Have you signed up to our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!