Our casino has received approval to extend operations from 9 December 2020 with a range of restrictions. From festive dining, roving Santa’s and the Crown Christmas Spectacular show, Crown Melbourne is the place to be to enjoy Christmas with family and friends this year. Christmas Day at Gazi is tradition done the Greek way. Starting with a platter ideal for communal eating, whet your tastebuds with prawns, crayfish and cured salmon, alongside house-made dips and fresh warm pita bread. Next up is a ‘prawn cocktail’ souvlaki followed by turkey from the spit and 12-hour slow roasted lamb.

1. Crown Casino Christmas Day 2019 Printable
2. Crown Casino Christmas Day 2019 Schedule
3. Crown Casino Christmas Day 2019 Calendar

.Available at Silks, Bistro Guillaume and Atrium Buffet lunch only, Monday to Friday. Minimum of four guests aged 18+ must dine. Not available with any other discount or offer. Not to be opened or consumed at Crown Perth. Gifts distributed by Crown Metropol Perth Licence and Crown Promenade Perth Licence. Crown Sydney is a casino and hotel skyscraper in Barangaroo, Sydney, Australia.At a height of 271.3 m (890 ft), with 75 floors, it surpassed Chifley Tower as the tallest building in Sydney, topping out in March 2020, with a final completion date scheduled for December 2020.

Crown Sydney is one of the most anticipated projects in Sydney, as it will give a new look to the Barangaroo waterfront area. The massive addition to the area will include a hotel, apartments, restaurants, and a VIP-focused casino.

Construction on the project finally began in 2016, though sometimes stalled periodically due to legal battles and other red tape. Though the estimated completion date has changed numerous times, it is now expected to open on Christmas Day 2020. That’s what James Packer says, anyway.

Packer Visits Sydney Site

Earlier this month, billionaire investor and largest Crown Resorts shareholder James Packer emerged from a mostly self-imposed exile from public life to tour the Crown Sydney development site. He seemed pleased with the progress of the $2.4 billion project at Barangaroo.

In fact, Packer was so pleased that he announced to the media that it would open to the public on Christmas Day this year.

The dates for the opening of the property have changed numerous times. When the project first began, the opening date was expected to be early 2020 for the first tower and the end of 2020 for the rest of it. But along the way, due to numerous battles over the height of the tower and other major details, the opening was delayed. Most expected it to open sometime in 2021.

Packer was particular, though, by naming Christmas Day of this year in his first public appearance in more than a year.

“It’s really pleasing,” Packer said to the media, referring to the opening being three months earlier than planned. “We are truly indebted to our builders, architects and tradies who have made this possible.”

Mid-2019 Issues Resolved

As mentioned, the Crown Sydney project had been delayed numerous times. The most significant and lengthy problem had to do with the height of the tower.

Crown Resorts believed they paid a price for the property that included an exclusive view of the harbor. At one point, Crown and its building partners discovered that the Barangaroo Delivery Authority(BDA), run by the New South Wales government, took bids from other companies for taller buildings that would hinder the Crown tower view.

The two entities went to court, and the battle moved through to the NSW Supreme Court. In December 2018, that court ruled for Crown, ruling that the BDA violated its development agreements with Crown and co-plaintiffs Lendlease.

An appeal by the BDA resulted in a settlement. The details were not publicized, but the NSW government dropped its appeal, and Crown retained its claim to the exclusive views.

Crown Sydney Project Details

The website dedicated to the project, which still boasts of an early 2021 opening date, gives insight into the new destination for visitors to Sydney. It is described as a “pinnacle of modern design that harmoniously brings together an opulent hotel, prestigious apartments, signature restaurants, premium gaming areas and a lavish spa.”

One Barangaroo will be the tower of residences – 82 of them – with views of the Sydney Harbour and its landmarks. The apartments range from 2-bedroom to 6-bedroom homes with some Duplex Penthouses as well.

Packer purchased two floors of the hotel, not the residence tower, that are being converted into a second home for him. “I grew up in Sydney, and my kids still spend time here,” he said. “It’s a beautiful place, and I hope to spend more time visiting.”

And there will be gaming. But Crown Sydney has taken special care not to call the casino a casino. The website calls it a “premium table games experience.”

Evidently, there will be no pokies, only table games like baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. And though the website is sparse on details, it does refer to a “VIP-only gaming facility.”

Previous Problems with VIP Gaming

The Crown scandal that took the company and gaming community by storm in 2019 had fallout that particularly affected VIP gaming in Australia.

Much of the spotlight was on VIP gamblers at Crown properties, many of whom used junkets to travel from Asia and gamble for high stakes. After the scandal broke, though, the government crackdowns began, and most junkets stopped.

This put such a dent in Crown’s bottom line that Crown Executive Chairman John Alexander had to acknowledge it at a shareholder presentation in late 2019. He revealed that VIP turnover for the first three and a half months of the new fiscal year, which started July 1, was down 46%.

Crown Casino Christmas Day 2019 Printable

Crown blamed much of the downturn on the Chinese economy hurt by the United States and on the media that publicized the scandal.

Regardless, Crown Sydney is going to face a challenge to create a successful new VIP-only gaming facility, one with no pokies, at the new property. The new environment and scrutiny on high-stakes gambling will be a test of Crown’s dedication to gaming.

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.

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.

Crown Casino Christmas Day 2019 Schedule

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.

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

More Festive Ideas For Melbourne Families

Where To See Christmas Lights
The Best Christmas Markets In Melbourne
Christmas Movies To Watch With The Family

Crown Casino Christmas Day 2019 Calendar

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!