Get Cosy With These Melbourne Christmas In July Menus, Specials And Events
Looking to celebrate Christmas in July? We’ve found festive market stalls, roast dinners and plenty of excuses to whip out that perfectly ugly Christmas jumper this winter.
Christmas In July Menus And Food Specials
Hofbräuhaus
18–28 Market Lane, Melbourne
Image: Hofbräuhaus | Supplied
Hofbräuhaus, the Bavarian beer hall in the heart of Chinatown, is delivering three days of festive cheer from 25 to 26 July, with a live oompah band putting a merry twist on classic Christmas carols and seasonal jingles.
Think generous serves of classic meat dishes made from old family recipes, sides like spätzle and sauerkraut and pours of German mulled wine and spiced hot chocolate.
INSIDER INTEL
- Anyone wearing a Christmas jumper,gets a complimentary shot of schnapps on arrival.
Denmark House
3/428 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Image: Denmark House | Website
Get out the stretchy pants, Denmark House is hosting an epic Christmas in July buffet every Saturday in July.
The winter spread includes pickled herring, salmon, roast pork with crackling, roast duck and crumbed fish with remoulade. For dessert, tuck into risalamande—a traditional Danish rice pudding.
There are two sittings every Saturday, from 11am to 2pm and 3pm to 6pm, coming in at $80 for non-members, $70 for members, and $35 for kids.
INSIDER INTEL
- New head chef Raj Shrestha (whose resume includes Copengagen's Michelin-starred Restaurant 108) takes charge of the bountiful buffet.
Jimmy O’Neill’s Whiskey & Ale House
154–156 Acland Street, St Kilda
Image: Jimmy O'Niell's | Supplied
Every day in July is Christmas popular Irish pub Jimmy O'Neill's, serving a roast turkey and honey-glazed ham main with all the trimmings, including sensational stuffing, cranberry sauce and traditional gravy, for a neat $38.
On top of that, the ultimate three-course Christmas feast arrives on Sunday 26 July for $69. Starters include black pudding and apple croquettes and pigs in a blanket followed by turkey and ham roast with creamy mashed potatoes, roast potatoes and more. The feast kicks off at 4pm and leads into a night of live music.
INSIDER INTEL
- There’s a vegetarian option with garlic and herb roasted cauliflower, veggie starters and all the trimmings for slightly less at $65.
The Bay Hotel
62 Main Street, Mornington
Image: The Bay Hotel | Instagram
If searching for a cosy, seaside vibe, The Bay Hotel is putting on a proper Christmas roast every Sunday in July.
Turkey and honey-glazed ham, mashed potatoes, hearty herb stuffing and buttery seasonal vegetables come with cranberry sauce and of course, gravy for $35.
INSIDER INTEL
- The team are upping the Christmas spirit with mulled wine and Irish coffee on the drinks menu.
Entrecôte
142–144 Greville Street, Prahran
Image: Entrecote | Website
For the first time, and after more than 25 years of hosting at home, Jason Jones is bringing his legendary, lavish Christmas Carols party to Entrecôte on Friday, 24 July.
Think prawns, oysters, bubbling warm Normandy cider, exceptional wines, glorious French cheeses, glazed ham and heaps more, all served buffet style for $229.90.
INSIDER INTEL
- The mood post-feast? An all-out singalong around the piano.
Taxi Kitchen
Level 1, Federation Square, Melbourne
Image: Taxi Kitchen | Instagram
Taxi Kitchen's chefs are putting on a Euro-leaning menu for a Christmas in July long lunch on Saturday 25 July, from 12pm to 4pm.
The four course experience with paired drinks comes in at $95, beef consume with mini wontons, Hazeldene chicken with a wild mushroom vol-au-vent, pork rillette and a quince and apple tarte tartin.
It’s the team's third Christmas in July event (a sell-out for two years running), with about 150 diners heading to the top floor for views and festivities.
INSIDER INTEL
- Sip on Santa’s Sangria as you peer across Fed Square, hoping to win a prize for best (or worst) Christmas jumper.
Blacksmith Bar & Grill
Level 7/30 Timothy Lane, Melbourne
Image: Blacksmith Bar & Grill | Supplied
For a fourth year in a row, Dal Zotto wines is collabing with Blacksmith Bar & Grill for a festive feast that kicks things off with a prosecco or limoncello spritz on arrival.
It’s a three-hour Yuletide extravaganza on Friday 24 July that includes a baked scallop casserole entree, a 30-day dry-aged bone-in Porterhouse main and sharing sides like duck fat potatoes and honey-roasted Japanese pumpkin.
INSIDER INTEL
- In addition to the sit-down courses, there’ll a magnificent grazing table starring a selection of antipasto, local cheeses, cured meats and homemade bread.
Green Man’s Arms
418 Lygon street, Carlton
Image: Green Man's Arms | Supplied
A four-course plant-based festive feast awaits at the Green Man’s Arms in Carlton. Head chef Johhny Ly knows how to make plant-based food indulgent, hearty and packed with flavour.
For $95, dishes include are faux gras, beet wellington, roast veggies and Christmas pudding with brandy butter and custard, plus a cocktail or mocktail on arrival.
Plenty of Christmas tunes and seasonal table settings greet those heading to the long lunch on Saturday 25 July. There'll also be a charity raffle will raise funds for the Lost Dogs Home.
INSIDER INTEL
- There are only seats for 35 diners–so get booking quick.
Carriage House, Cleveland Estate
55 Shannons Road, Lancefield
Image: Carriage House | Supplied
Dimly-lit and moody, with an indoor fireplace and outdoor fire-pit (perfect for late arvo s’mores), Carriage House Restaurant is going all out for its first-ever Christmas in July lunch on Sunday 11th.
For $130, you'll tuck into four courses including salami, chicken liver parfait, tempura prawns, tomato fondue, turkey and chestnut pie with roasted brussel sprouts and cranberry gravy. To finish, panettone trifle, with cream, custard and berries.
INSIDER INTEL
- Lawn games on the day include giant jenga, bocce, giant connect 4, cornhole and naughts and crosses.
Three Blue Ducks
309 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine
Image: Three Blue Ducks | Supplied
Three Blue Ducks is celebrating exceptional local produce with a festive twist by sharing a lunch and dinner menu from new group executive chef Troy Crisante on July 26.
At $79 per person (or $25 for kids), there’ll be free-range turkey from Numurkah Farm, brined and roasted over fire with a pork sausage and dried apricot stuffing, alongside Casalingo heritage ham smoked over Victorian ash. Don’t forget the Yorkshire pudding and pigs in blanket.
The first course kicks off with Christmas gildas—a take on the classic English skewer featuring chorizo and cheddar with a festive glaze. Leave room for traditional Christmas pudding served with a boozy eggnog custard.
INSIDER INTEL
- Optional add-ons include Skull Island prawns and Shark Bay scallops.
book onlin
Grazeland
20 Booker Street, Spotswood
Image: Grazeland | Supplied
Every day in July feels like Christmas at Grazeland, with twinkling lights, fire-pits and a $25 Winter feed special for main and dessert from around twenty vendors.
Think warming comfort food like chicken laksa, margherita pizza, beef dumplings, white chocolate crepes and warm cookies with ice cream,
Roving entertainment on Sunday July 12 includes a giant snowman and penguin.
“Winter gives us the opportunity to completely transform the precinct. You’ll find live music, winter comfort food and a warm and vibrant atmosphere,” says Grazeland Director John Forman.
INSIDER INTEL
- Try catching snowflakes billowing from the snow machine, across Friday nights and all-day Saturdays and Sundays.
Christmas in July Events and Activities
Golden Gate Hotel
238 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne
Image: Golden State Hotel | Supplied
The historic pub hosts a Christmas in July Comedy Show on Thursday 30 July, with two of Australia’s funniest people taking to the stage – Lizzy Hoo and Ivan Aristeguieta.
The show starts at 8pm and tickets are $35.
INSIDER INTEL
- Ticketholders get a 15% meal discount.
Hopscotch
4 Riverside Quay, Southbank
Image: Hopscotch | Supplied
Trivia night at Hopscotch undergoes a Yuletide overhaul, putting festive knowledge to the test with a trivia night offering up a heap of cool prizes on Wednesday 22 July from 8pm.
Then it’s all about good times by the Yarra, with a Christmas in July party on Saturday 25 July, where fun festive outfits are encouraged, and DJs soundtrack the night.
INSIDER INTEL
- For those who are game, Hopscotch is wrapping the week with a festive 5k run along the river. Meet at the venue at 10am, before heading back for a comforting Sunday Roast and a well-deserved bev.
Queen Victoria Market
65–159 Victoria Street, Melbourne
Image: Queen Victoria Market | Instagram
Walk-in snow globes for insta-worthy pics, live ice-sculpting and heaps of festive spirit are all part of the Queen Vic Winter Night Market’s Christmas in July free celebrations.
Every Wednesday in July from 5pm, performers like Christmas Treet stilt-walkers, giant elves and fire eaters head to String Bean Alley.
Stay warm with bubbling raclette from Melted, a loaded baked potato from Spud Pappi, or a steaming bowl of lobster and king crab chowder from The Soup Factory.
INSIDER INTEL
- Make the most of a makeshift white Christmas with a mulled wine from Rewine.
Piano Bar Ballarat
31 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central
Image: Piano Bar | Supplied
Bringing mischief, music and mayhem to Ballarat's Piano Bar, A Very Drag Christmas in July host Hollypop is taking to the stage for a festive, one-night-only show brimming with sparkles, tunes, cocktails, games and prizes for just $15 a ticket.
INSIDER INTEL
- Doors open at 6pm and we suggest being on time to avoid missing out on surpises throughout the night.
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Main image credit: The Bay Hotel | Supplied