Between rushing to get everything done in time for Christmas (hello, last-minute shopping) and the New Year's Eve festivities and fireworks, we often find ourselves in a time warp – with not a lot to do to fill the gap. While some places have shut up shop for summer, others have varying holiday hours. So, what do you do to keep entertained, especially with school hols on?
Never fear, because our trusty Melbourne Editor, Leah Glynn, has compiled this list of the best things to do between December 25-31. It's been a helluva year, so enjoy your time off!
Melbourne's OG floating bar and restaurant has returned to the Yarra. Brought to you by the team at Arbory Bar and Eatery, its Season ten avatar is Afloat Sol Rio, capturing the rhythm, flavours and vibe of Rio de Janeiro. Think cocktails like the frozen Mango Batida-Cachaça and Strawberry Açaí Daiquiri and all sorts of flavoursome Brazilian bites. Afloat is made for celebrations – big, small and everything in between.
Open 11am until late every day
Address: 2 Flinders Walk, Melbourne
Some people go to waterparks for the wave pools and ample sun lounges; some people go for the heart-racing waterslides. Either way, Adventure Park in Geelong has a treat in store for you with 23 epic rides. This summer, thrillseekers can tackle the freefall drop on the new Thunder Falls or try the fast and furious Tornado waterslide. Prefer to take it easy? Lazy River lets you sit back in an inflatable ring and idly float down the tropically-themed river.
Open every day except Christmas Day
Address: 1249 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington
The NGV’s blockbuster summer exhibition of punk, tartan and avant-garde design has arrived. Westwood | Kawakubo is a showcase of more than 140 boundary-breaking designs by legendary icons Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo. Many are drawn from the NGV’s own holdings – an extraordinary cache of 300-plus Kawakubo pieces and more than 100 by Westwood – making this one of the most important showcases of their work anywhere in the world.
Open every day except Christmas Day
Address: 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
For those craving a nostalgic cinema experience, these drive-in cinemas in and around Melbourne are brimming with the feeling of old-timey movie outings. Park yourself in front of the big screen, tune into the FM broadcast and enjoy your movie. The perfect combo of nostalgia with the latest blockbuster flick.
Check cinemas for movie times
There's just something special about snuggling into a bean bag and catching a film under the stars in the Royal Botanic Gardens that screams summer in Melbourne. The line-up of flicks between this period includes new releases like Wicked: For Good and Song Sung Blue, and classics like Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Grab an ice cream or a wine to finish off the experience.
Open Dec 26, 27, 28 and 30
Address: Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne
Calling all kids, parents, and kids at heart: did you know that there is a huge theme park less than an hour's drive north of Melbourne? Funfields, located in Whittlesea, opened in 1985 and has since become one of Melbourne's best-loved attractions. Try the Gravity Waves, Amazonia Falls, Thrill Hill and more. Your day pass (based on height) gets you access to the rides and the water play area.
Open every day except Christmas Day
Address: 2365 Plenty Rd, Whittlesea
Summertime and cherries are the perfect match, so make your way to CherryHill Orchards to pick and eat as many cherries as your heart desires. Sessions last for two hours, and cherries are charged per kilogram. Trust us when we say these are some of the largest, sweetest cherries going around. Entry starts at $25 for adults, $15 for children and $70 for a family pass. They also have a new twilight cherry-picking option that's running on select dates.
Open every day except Christmas
Address: Cherry orchards in Wandin East & Coldstream
GoBoat’s five-metre-long boats seat up to eight people and don’t need a boating licence to operate. The best part? They come equipped with a built-in wooden picnic table in the middle of the boat. Would-be salty sea dogs can hop aboard from GoBoat's berths at Banana Alley (between Queens Bridge and Sandridge Bridge on the north side of the Yarra).
Open every day except Christmas Day
Address: 2 Banana Alley, Melbourne
A trip to Melbourne Zoo done right takes an entire day. The largest exhibit is the majestic Wild Sea, where penguins and seals bask on land before slipping into clear waters. Another highlight is the Orangutan Experience, where you have the opportunity to meet these incredible yet critically endangered animals. Make sure to go to the free talks on animals like baboons, koalas, giraffes, snow leopards and more at different times each day.
Open every day
Address: Elliott Ave, Parkville
Just over an hour from Melbourne is Healesville Sanctuary – home to a host of Australian animals living in their native environment. Arguably the most thrilling experience is the Spirits of the Sky show. Free with the cost of admission, the show is a spectacular demonstration of the beauty and power of Australia's birds of prey and parrots. Head to the flight arena and see fierce wedge-tailed eagles, falcons and owls, as well as colourful parrots as they swoop around the arena and show off their skills.
Open every day
Address: Glen Eadie Ave, Healesville
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped through a portal to the African savannah when visiting the Werribee Open Range Zoo. This world-leading zoo around 30 minutes from the CBD features sprawling enclosures and animal encounters. The savannah is the highlight of the zoo, with open-air safari buses taking visitors out to encounter giraffes, rhinos, zebras and hippopotami splashing in the river. And don't miss the new world-class elephant experience.
Open every day
Address: K Rd, Werribee South
This multi-day music, art and camping festival, held every year at Barunah Plains Homestead in Hesse, is celebrating its 10th birthday bash. Featuring a genre-rich lineup complete with global icons, rising tastemakers and underground innovators like Addison Rae, Dom Dolla, Kid Cudi, Turnstile and more, it promises to be a fun, immersive experience.
From December 28, 2025 to January 1, 2026
Address: Barunah Plains Homestead, Hesse
Whether you're a fireworks fan, looking for a relaxed dinner or you want to party until dawn, we've got you covered for NYE in Melbourne. Here's what to do, where to go and how to recover (or keep dancing) on January 1.
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