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What’s open over the Christmas and New Year public holidays in Victoria
From cafes and cinemas to supermarkets and public transport, this is your guide to what's open over the Christmas and New Year break in Melbourne, Victoria.
Christmas Day might be the national day of family barbecues, fruit pudding and festive gift giving. But just because you’re on holidays, doesn’t mean your caffeine habit is, too.
Whether you can't face a family gathering without your morning coffee, need to pick up some last-minute lunch supplies, can't be bothered cooking or you don't celebrate Christmas, here's what's open in Victoria over the Christmas and New Year break.
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Christmas and New Year trading hours in Victoria
What public transport will be running?
Public transport in Victoria will be free from 3am on Christmas Day until 3am on Boxing Day with services running to a regular public holiday timetable. Metropolitan and regional public transport will also be free from 6pm on New Year’s Eve, until 6am on New Year’s Day, including the first regional train services departing the city. There will also be additional services after midnight to cater to the increased crowds expected in Melbourne for the annual fireworks display.
Trains and trams
- Christmas Day: Services running to a public holiday timetable.
- New Year’s Eve: Train and tram services (except Routes 78 and 82) will operate all night, with trains every 15 minutes from midnight until 1.45am and trams every five to 15 minutes between midnight and 3am.
- New Year's Day: Most services will be running to a Sunday timetable on New Year's Day
Buses
A number of metropolitan buses routes will operate throughout the night with extra night network buses ensuring everyone can get home safely.
V/Line
On the regional network, extra V/Line train services and night coaches will be in operation into the early hours of New Year’s Day across the state. V/Line passengers on long-distance train and coach services are urged to reserve seats on Christmas and New Year’s Eve services as there is traditionally a high demand on these days.
For more information download the arevo app to help you plan your journey. Plus, stay up to date with this summer's road and transport disruptions.
Major retailers will be closed so be sure to finish any last-minute gift-buying by Christmas Eve
Are supermarkets open on Christmas Day?
Coles
All stores closed Christmas Day. Normal trading hours apply for all other days. Visit coles.com.au/store-locator for your nearest store’s opening times.
Woolworths
All stores closed Christmas Day. Normal trading hours apply for all other days. See woolworths.com.au/stores for your local store’s opening hours.
ALDI
All stores will be closed on Christmas Day. Store trading hours will vary on December 24 (Christmas Eve), 26 (Boxing Day) and 27 (Christmas Day public holiday), as well as over New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Check out aldi.com.au for your local store's holiday trading hours.
IGA
Most stores will be closed on Christmas Day; however, some local stores will be open. It's best to check your local supermarket's holiday trading hours.
Stores that will be open on Christmas Day include:
- IGA Xpress Airport West: 9am to 5pm
- IGA Xpress Warrnambool: 8am to 1pm
- IGA Xpress Poowong: 9am to 1pm
- SIMS IGA Plus Liquor Footscray: 8am to 1pm
- IGA Ashburton: 7am to 3pm
- IGA Xpress Southbank: 9am to 8pm
- Queenscliff Grocer IGA: 8am to 8pm
- Thomastown SUPA IGA: 8am to 8pm
- IGA Xpress Grand Boulevard Craigieburn: 7am to 8:30pm
- IGA Wyndham Vale Plus Liquor: 6am to 11pm
- Carnegie IGA Plus Liquor: 7am to 11pm
Be sure to finish any last-minute gift-buying by Christmas Eve
Major shopping centre Christmas trading hours
If you need to duck out for any last-minute gifts, some retailers have extended trading hours on Friday 23 December, as well as on Christmas Eve but, under Victoria's trading laws, major retail stores including Kmart, Target, Big W, David Jones, Myer, Bunnings and Ikea must close on Christmas Day.
If you wake up on Christmas morning and realise you've forgotten a gift for that annoying uncle you picked in the family KK, don't despair; some small independent shops may still be open to get you out of a bind. Service stations, chemists, restaurants, cafes, service providers and certain small, independent businesses are exempt from restricted trading. Then it's full steam ahead for Boxing Day sales, with some centres opening as early as 6am to cater to dedicated bargain hunters.
Westfield Doncaster
- Christmas Eve – 8am to 6pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 7pm
Westfield Southland
- Christmas Eve – 8am to 5pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 7pm
Westfield Knox City
- Christmas Eve – 8am to 5pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 7pm
Westfield Geelong
- Christmas Eve – 8am to 5pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 6pm
Westfield Airport West
- Christmas Eve – 8am to 5pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 6pm
Westfield Fountain Gate
- Christmas Eve – 8am to 5pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 7pm
Westfield Plenty Valley
- Christmas Eve – 8am to 5pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 6pm
Chadstone
- Christmas Eve – 8am to 6pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 6am to 11pm
- New Year's Eve - 9am to 9pm
- New Year's Day - 10am to 6pm
Melbourne Central
- Christmas Eve – 10am to 5pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 9pm
- New Year's Eve - 10am to 7pm
- New Year's Day - 10am to 6pm
Emporium
- Christmas Eve – 9am to 7pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 9pm
- New Year's Eve - 10am to 7pm
- New Year's Day - 10am to 6pm
The Glen
- Christmas Eve – 7am to 6pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 7am to 8pm
- New Year's Eve - 9am to 5pm
- New Year's Day - 10am to 5pm
Eastland
- Christmas Eve – 8am to 5:30pm (retail), 7am to 5:30pm (fresh food)
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 7pm
- New Year's Eve - 9am to 5pm
- New Year's Day - 10am to 5pm
Highpoint
- Christmas Eve – 8am to 6pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 11pm
- New Year's Eve - 10am to 6pm
- New Year's Day - 9am to 6pm
Northland
- Christmas Eve – 8am to 5pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 8am to 8pm
- New Year's Eve - 9am to 5pm
- New Year's Day - 10am to 5pm
DFO Essendon, South Wharf, Uni Hill
- Christmas Eve – 9am to 6pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 7am to 9pm
- New Year's Eve - 10am to 6pm
- New Year's Day - 10am to 6pm
DFO Moorabbin
- Christmas Eve – 10am to 6pm
- Christmas Day – Closed
- Boxing Day – 10am to 6pm
- New Year's Eve - 10am to 7pm
- New Year's Day - 10am to 6pm
Soak up some festive relaxation at Peninsula Hot Springs
Things to do in Melbourne on Christmas Day
Want to celebrate Christmas Day a little differently? From a family picnic at the zoo to a relaxing soak session at the Peninsula Hot Springs, some of Melbourne's favourite attractions are open on Christmas Day if you're keen for a different kind of festive fun. Plus, RACV Members save on tickets. Regular hours resume from Boxing Day across Melbourne's entertainment and attractions network, so there'll be plenty of things to do over the summer break.
- Crown Entertainment Complex: Open from 12 noon on Christmas Day
- Melbourne Zoo: Open 9am to 5pm on Christmas Day
- Werribee Open Range Zoo: Open 9am to 5pm on Christmas Day
- Healesville Sanctuary: Open 9am to 5pm on Christmas Day
- Kyabram Fauna Park: Open 10am to 5pm everyday except Christmas
- Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium: Open 9.30am to 5pm on Christmas Day, with last entry at 4pm
- Peninsula Hot Springs: Open 5am to 11pm on Christmas Day
What cinemas are open on Christmas Day?
So you've had your Christmas lunch and now you're looking for something to do for the rest of the day. Why not head to the cinema? RACV Members save up to 60 per cent on movie tickets and value bundles at Village, HOYTS, Palace, Event, Moonlight and IMAX. Here's what's open Christmas Day.
- Cameo Cinemas, 1628 Burwood Highway, Belgrave: Sessions from midday on Christmas Day. Normal trading hours every other day, including Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays.
- Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon Street, Carlton: Sessions from midday on Christmas Day. Normal trading hours every other day, including Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays.
- Classic Cinema, 9 Gordon Street, Elsternwick: Sessions from midday on Christmas Day. Normal trading hours every other day, including Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays.
- The Lido, 675 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn: Sessions from midday on Christmas Day. Normal trading hours every other day, including Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays.
- Village Cinemas: Most cinemas open from around midday on Christmas Day. Check local complex for session times. Normal trading hours every other day, including Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays.
- Hoyts: Most cinemas opening. First showings from around 1pm on Christmas Day. Check local complex for opening times. Normal trading hours every other day, including Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays.
- Palace Cinemas: Only Pentridge Prison Cinemas will be open on Christmas Day. Check local complex for opening times. Normal trading hours every other day, including Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays.
Caffeine cravings won't take a holiday? You can still get your fix on Christmas Day
Where to get a coffee in Melbourne between Christmas and New Year's Day
You might be taking a break at Christmas, but that doesn't mean your coffee cravings are on holiday, too. If you can't start your day without your morning cup of Joe, here's our guide to some of the cafes that will be helping Victorians caffeinate on Christmas morning and keep you buzzing all the way to January 1.
Bayside
- Two Bob Snob: 256 Charman Rd, Cheltenham
Open 8am to 11am on Christmas Day. - Monarch Cakes: 103 Acland St, St Kilda
Normal trading hours between December 24 and January 1. - Coffee Traders: 3 Blake St, Mornington
Open 9:30am to 11:30am for coffee and pre-ordered breakfast boxes.
South East
- Jake & The Beans Talk: 510 Waverley Rd, Malvern East
Take away coffees only from 7:30am to midday on Christmas Day - Noisette Bakery: 412 Centre Rd, Bentleigh and 84 Bay St, Port Melbourne
Open from 7am to midday. Regular trading hours all other days. - Clubhouse: 1290-1292 Malvern Rd, Malvern
Open for takeaways only from 7:30am to midday. Regular trading hours all other days. - Pantry: 106 Glen Iris Road, Glen Iris
Open for takeaways only from 6am to midday. Regular trading hours all other days. - Juliette Coffee & Bread: Malvern East, Caulfield North, Armadale
Open for takeaways only from 6-7am to midday. Regular trading hours all other days.
- Glovers Station: 258 Glen Eira Rd, Elsternwick
Open for takeaways only from 7am to midday. Regular trading hours all other days. - Walter: 435-437 Blackburn Rd, Mount Waverley
Open for takeaways only from 7:30am to midday. Regular trading hours all other days. - Stanley: 63 Stanley Ave, Mount Waverley
Open for takeaways only from 7am to midday. Regular trading hours all other days.
East
- My Other Brother (MOB): 586 Burke Rd, Camberwell
Takeaway only from 7am to 12pm on Christmas Day. Regular trading hours all other days. - Noisette Bakery: 2 Walpole St, Kew
7am to midday, takeaway only. Regular trading hours all other days. - Juliette Coffee & Bread: Camberwell, Hawthorn East and Ringwood East
Open for takeaways only from 7am to midday. Regular trading hours all other days. - Nelson: 12 Nelson Road, Box Hill
Open for takeaways only from 7am to midday. Regular trading hours all other days. - Vermont General Store: 37 Centre Road, Vermont
Open for takeaways only from 7am to midday. Regular trading hours all other days. - Pancake Parlour: Doncaster Shopping Centre, 550 Doncaster Road
Open from 8am on Christmas Day. Normal trading hours all other days.
North
- Brunetti: 380 Lygon St, Carlton
Open from 6am to midday on Christmas Day. Regular trading hours all other days. - Everyday Coffee: 36-38 Sackville St, Collingwood
Open for two hours of power from 9am to 11am, takeaways only. Regular trading hours all other days. - Bentwood: 237 Napier St, Fitzroy
Open for takeaways only from 8am to midday. Regular trading hours all other days. - Auction Rooms: 103-107 Errol St, North Melbourne
Closed Christmas Day but regular trading hours all other days. - Pancake Parlour: Highpoint Shopping Centre, L1, outside cinema entrance
Open from 8am on Christmas Day. Normal trading hours all other days.
West
- Good Bean Espresso Bar: 3/58 Anderson St, Yarraville
Closed Christmas Day but trading 6am to 4pm every other day.
CBD
- Brunetti Oro: 250 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Closed on Christmas Day. Regular trading hours all other days. - Dukes Coffee Roasters: 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Closed on Christmas and Boxing days. Regular trading hours all other days. - Axil Coffee Roasters: Melbourne Central
Closed on Christmas Day. Open from 8am to 4pm all other days.
Regional
- Bonny: 2827 Point Nepean Rd, Blairgowrie
Open from 6:30am to midday for takeaways only. Regular trading hours all other days. - Hobson: 1489 Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud
Open from 6:30am to midday for takeaways only. Regular trading hours all other days. - Buckey: 174 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento
Open from 6:30am to midday for takeaways only. Regular trading hours all other days. - Pavilion: 95 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong
Open from 6:30am to sunset. Regular trading hours all other days. - King of the Castle: 24 Pakington St, Geelong West
Open between 28 December and New Year's from 7:30 to 3pm. - Cartel Coffee Roasters: 1/80 Little Malop St, Geelong
Closed Christmas day but business as usual on all other days.
