Services Operating during Christmas and New Year's in Victoria
Melbourne and Victoria are gearing up for the festive season, and here's a guide to help you plan your holiday shopping, dining, and leisure activities.
Many cinemas, such as Cameo Cinemas, Cinema Nova, Classic Cinema, The Lido, and Village Cinemas, will be open on Christmas Day. However, session times may vary, so it's advisable to check with your local complex for details.
On the other hand, Woolworths stores will be closed on Christmas Day, while ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and their trading hours will vary on certain days around the holiday.
Major shopping centres with restricted trading hours on Christmas Day include Westfield Doncaster, Chadstone, Highpoint, Westfield Geelong, Westfield Plenty Valley, DFO Essendon, South Wharf, Uni Hill, and DFO Moorabbin, which will close early on the holiday. Some IGA stores, such as IGA Xpress Southbank, IGA Wyndham Vale Plus Liquor, and Queenscliff Grocer IGA, will also be open on Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve trading hours for major shopping centres include Northland and The Glen, which will close early on Christmas Eve. Thomastown SUPA IGA will remain open until 8 pm on Christmas Eve.
Coles stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and Kmart, Target, Big W, David Jones, Myer, Bunnings, and Ikea will also be closed on the holiday.
Public transport in Victoria will be free from 3 am on Christmas Day until 3 am on Boxing Day, and train and tram services in Victoria will operate all night on New Year's Eve. Metropolitan and regional public transport will also be free from 6 pm on New Year's Eve until 6 am on New Year's Day.
Extra V/Line train services and night coaches will be in operation into the early hours of New Year's Day across the state.
Peninsula Hot Springs will be open on Christmas Day from 5 am to 11 pm, providing a unique way to celebrate the holiday.
Some small independent shops, service stations, chemists, restaurants, cafes, service providers, and certain small, independent businesses may still be open on Christmas Day. However, most services will be running to a Sunday timetable on New Year's Day.
For those seeking coffee on Christmas Day, many popular cafes will be closed, as it is a public holiday and not part of the usual trading schedule in Australia. Some exceptions might exist, often hotels, restaurants, or large establishments, but these are not evident from the current search results.
It's advisable to check directly with specific venues, especially hotel cafés or those located in major hotels, as these are sometimes open for special events or to accommodate guests. However, for most independent and popular coffee shops, expect closures on Christmas Day.
For up-to-date information on individual cafes' opening times, it's best to check their websites or social media pages. Meanwhile, Train Yard Café has explicitly stated that it will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day.
Melbourne Central, Eastland, Westfield Southland, and Westfield Fountain Gate will all be open on Christmas Day, with varying trading hours.
With these details in mind, you can now plan your festive season with confidence, ensuring you make the most of the holiday season while respecting the traditions and trading practices in Melbourne and Victoria.
Enjoy a unique lifestyle experience by visiting Peninsula Hot Springs on Christmas Day, offering a distinctive way to celebrate the holiday from 5 am to 11 pm.
For travel enthusiasts, Melbourne Central, Eastland, Westfield Southland, and Westfield Fountain Gate will remain open on Christmas Day, providing opportunities for home-and-garden shopping during your festive visit.
