Updated 9 November 2026
Crown Christmas 2026 runs at Crown Melbourne in Southbank from late November to 25 December. The free river show, free Santa visits and Elf the Musical are the three things to plan around. This page lists dates, times and costs.
Find the best free things you can do to celebrate Christmas in Melbourne.
When is Crown Christmas at Crown Melbourne in 2026?
- Free: the Crown Christmas River Show (daily from 4 to 25 Dec, 9pm to 11pm) and Santa in the Atrium (1 to 24 Dec). The free Christmas events guide has more.
- Daytime with little kids: Santa in the Atrium. It’s free, with no booking, and the hours finish by 5pm or 7pm.
- Lowest price: both of the above cost nothing. Elf the Musical tickets start at $69.90.
- Something different: Elf the Musical at Crown LIVE, with sessions from 27 Nov to 27 Dec.
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Crown Christmas 2026: what’s on
1. Crown Christmas River Show
Water, lasers and light projections play over the Yarra outside Crown each night. Crown says it suits all ages. The first show is at 9pm, so it runs late for young children.
- When: 4 to 25 December 2026
- Cost: free
- Sessions: nightly, 9pm to 11pm.
- Where: on the Yarra River at Crown, Southbank.
- More info: Christmas at Crown
Head to Southbank Promenade outside Crown to catch this dazzling Christmas show featuring water fountains, lasers, light projections and a festive soundtrack curated by renowned DJ Grant Smillie.
Crown Christmas Spectacular has changed
In previous years, the Crown Towers presented a Christmas Spectacular show with the encased Christmas characters all open and ready to be viewed by visitors.
This year, the six-storey high Christmas Tree will still glitter with different colours, just without the jewelled eggs on display.
2. Santa in the Atrium
Santa sits on his throne in the Crown Atrium every day from 1 to 24 December. He takes scheduled breaks, so check the times on the day.
- When: 1 to 24 December 2026
- Cost: free. Booking isn’t required.
- Hours: 1 to 14 Dec, 11am to 5pm. 15 to 24 Dec, 11am to 7pm.
- Where: the Atrium, Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
- Photos: not stated for 2026. The Santa photos guide lists more places.
- More info: Santa Comes to Crown
Crown’s page also mentions a festive Ferris wheel in the Atrium. Dates, cost and booking aren’t stated.
Find more opportunities for photos with Santa here.
3. Elf the Musical
Elf the Musical plays at Crown LIVE from 27 November to 27 December. It runs for 2 hours 25 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.
- When: 27 November to 27 December 2026
- Cost: $69.90 to $199.90 for most sessions. $89.90 to $219.90 for Saturday and Sunday 1pm sessions. These prices are a guide and can change.
- Sessions: Tuesday 7pm. Wednesday 1pm and 7pm. Thursday 7pm. Friday 7pm. Saturday 2pm and 7pm. Sunday 1pm and 6pm (no Sunday sessions on 27 December).
- Where: Crown LIVE, Crown Melbourne
- Good to know: Crown doesn’t state an age suitability. The foyer opens 60 minutes before each show, and a Buddy Bundle is offered on selected performances.
- Book: Elf the Musical tickets (sold through Ticketmaster, and fees may apply)
4. Christmas dining at Crown
Crown’s Kitchen Workshop buffet has a Christmas offer from 21 November, with lunch and dinner sessions of two hours each. The buffet has seafood, a carvery, global mains and desserts, plus a chocolate fountain and self-serve ice cream. Prices, session times and the end date aren’t stated.
Christmas Day dining at Crown included seafood buffets, Champagne packages, multi-course menus and teppanyaki. Check each restaurant’s offer page for child prices.
- More info: Kitchen Workshop Christmas offer and Christmas at Crown
Also read: 11 Best Places for a Christmas Buffet Melbourne: Festive Feasts Without the Fuss (2026)
5. Where to stay for Crown Christmas 2026
Crown has three hotels on the Southbank site. Crown’s Christmas page lists no hotel packages, so the links below go to Booking.com.
Crown Metropol Melbourne – Read our review: Crown Metropol Melbourne: Book Your Family Adventure
What’s not listed this year
Crown’s 2026 Christmas pages don’t list the carousel, carols or The Magic of Christmas live show from 2025. The jewelled eggs display from earlier years is gone too. This page will be updated if Crown adds any of them. For more Christmas ideas, see the guide to the best Christmas activities in Melbourne city for kids.
Frequently asked questions
When is Crown Christmas 2026?
Crown’s Christmas campaign runs until 30 December. The river show runs 4 to 25 December, Santa visits run 1 to 24 December, and Elf the Musical plays 27 November to 27 December.
Is the Crown Christmas river show free?
Yes. It runs nightly from 9pm to 11pm between 4 and 25 December, and it suits all ages.
Is Santa at Crown free?
Yes. The Santa visits are free, with no booking required. They run daily in the Atrium from 1 to 24 December.
Is Elf the Musical suitable for kids?
Crown doesn’t state an age suitability. The show runs for 2 hours 25 minutes with a 20-minute interval. Matinees run on Wednesday at 1pm, Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 1pm.
How much are Elf the Musical tickets?
Prices run from $69.90 to $199.90 for most sessions and $89.90 to $219.90 for Saturday and Sunday 1pm sessions. Crown says prices can change, so check Ticketmaster before booking.
Does Crown have a Christmas carousel in 2026?
Crown’s 2026 Christmas pages don’t list one. They mention a festive Ferris wheel in the Atrium, but dates, cost and booking aren’t stated.
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