Christmas is only three days away. THREE DAYS AWAY! I’m not exactly sure how we got here but what I do know is that I’m not prepared and should probably get all my groceries done before Saturday comes around.
Christmas is all about family, eating great food and spending time at home watching festive movies, but sometimes you just need a break from all of that and head outside for a little while.
Of course, doing that isn’t easy since practically every single business is closed on Christmas Day, but there are some hidden gems that keep their doors open. So here’s what’s open and what’s not on December 25.
Supermarkets
Forgot to buy prawns for the festive lunch? Well sorry to say, you’re a little too late. Woolworths, Coles and ALDI are all closed on Christmas Day, but they are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.
IGA however is on a store-by-store basis, so before you make the trip, double-check if your local is open on the day.
Bottle Shops
Booze is a holiday essential but in saying that, it’s important to plan ahead because most bottle-os are closed on Christmas Day.
Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, Liquor Market and First Choice all keep their doors firmly shut on the 25th as well as BWS, although they do have some select drive-thru stores in Victoria and South Australia open.
If you’re crazy desperate then there are a few Dan Murphy stories around the country that are operating, but make sure you Google whether your local is open before you go knocking on the door.
HOYTS Cinemas
Here’s some good news! If the kids are driving you mad or you just want to do something different than sitting around the telly all day, then you’ll be pleased to know that most HOYTS Cinemas are welcoming people across the country all day.
With movies like Dune, Venom: Let There Be Carnage and West Side Story showing now, everyone should be at the movies this Christmas Day.
Fast Food Restaurants
Look, I get it. Sometimes nothing, not even a solid barbecue can cure your cravings for a Big Mac, so I’m here to tell you that the majority of McDonald’s will be open on Christmas Day. But if burgers aren’t really your thing, then select KFC’s around the country will open their doors, but the majority will be closed. So I hate to sound like a broken record but check with your local if they’re open before setting your sights on a chicken wing.
Hungry Jacks will also have a number of stores open so if you need your fast food fix, then you’re pretty much covered.
Everything Else
And if you just want to head out for a bit of fresh air then beaches are usually open on Christmas Day, including Bondi, Coogee and Bronte if you’re a Sydney-sider. Taronga Zoo and Adelaide Zoo is also open to visitors and so are the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, Brisbane and Tasmania.
This post originally appeared on POPSUGAR Australia.
Read more stories from The Latch and subscribe to our email newsletter.