The Festive Season in St Kilda: Where to Eat, Drink & Celebrate New Year’s by the Beach
If you’re spending summer in Melbourne, there’s one place that truly comes alive during the festive season: St Kilda. From sun-soaked beach days to late-night parties by the bay, St Kilda is where locals, travellers and backpackers come together to celebrate the end of the year and welcome the new one in true Melbourne style.
Whether you’ve just landed in Australia, you’re a local looking for your NYE plans, or you’re chasing relaxed beach vibes with great food and DJs, St Kilda has you covered.
Where to Spend New Year’s Eve in St Kilda
When it comes to New Year’s Eve in St Kilda, few places do it bigger than Captain Baxter and Republica, both sitting right on the foreshore with uninterrupted bay views.
This New Year’s Eve, the beachfront transforms into one of Melbourne’s biggest and most iconic celebrations. Expect sunset drinks, packed dance floors, and a crowd made up of locals, backpackers, internationals and summer regulars – all counting down to midnight by the water.
Captain Baxter brings the party energy upstairs and downstairs, with DJs soundtracking the night and cocktails flowing as the sun sets over Port Phillip Bay. Just next door, Republica delivers its signature high-energy atmosphere, making the two venues a go-to destination for anyone searching where to party on NYE in St Kilda.
If you’re new to Melbourne or travelling solo, these venues are especially popular with backpackers and visitors looking for a fun, social New Year’s Eve without the stress of house parties or ticketed festivals.
New Year’s Day Recovery at Republica
After a big night, Republica’s New Year’s Day Recovery is a St Kilda tradition. Think ocean air, chilled drinks, good food and live music easing you back into reality.
It’s the perfect place to debrief with friends, meet new people, or simply soak up the beach atmosphere with a drink in hand. The recovery session is relaxed but lively, ideal for backpackers staying nearby, locals who know the drill, and anyone wanting to extend the celebrations into the new year.
New Year’s Day at Captain Baxter
On New Year’s Day at Captain Baxter, the celebrations roll straight into a sun-soaked seaside recovery.
From early afternoon, DJs set the tone for a relaxed yet lively day by the bay, soundtracking long lunches, beachside cocktails and that unmistakable St Kilda summer energy.
Guests can settle in with a set menu long lunch complete with ocean views and an espresso martini on arrival, or gather a crew and make a day of it with a private bungalow overlooking the water.
Popular with locals, backpackers and visitors fresh off their first Melbourne NYE, New Year’s Day at Captain Baxter is all about easing into the year ahead with good music, good company and the beach right at your feet.
Beach Vibes All Festive Season Long
The festive season in St Kilda isn’t just about New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. It’s weeks of sun, salt air and music drifting across the foreshore.
From Thursday through to Sunday, DJs keep things moving at Captain Baxter, making it just as easy to pop in for a casual drink as it is to stay all afternoon. Add in golden sunsets, ocean views and that unmistakable St Kilda buzz, and you’ve got summer sorted.
Breakfasts, Brunches & Morning DJs at Republica
Mornings in St Kilda start slowly, in the best way. Weekend breakfasts at Republica are a go-to for locals and visitors alike, with beachfront views and a relaxed atmosphere that pairs perfectly with a morning walk along the sand.
As the day builds, weekends roll into brunch at Republica, where set menus meet morning DJs. It’s the kind of place where breakfast quietly turns into lunch, and nobody’s in a rush to leave.
Sundays in St Kilda: Baxter Sunseeker
If there’s one thing St Kilda does best, it’s Sundays – and Baxter Sunseeker at Captain Baxter is proof. A staple of the summer calendar, Sunseeker brings DJs, sunset views and a crowd that knows how to finish a weekend properly.
Whether you’re wrapping up a few days in Melbourne or settling in for a long summer, it’s one of the best ways to experience the foreshore at its finest.
Why St Kilda Owns the Festive Season
From big New Year’s Eve celebrations to laid-back New Year’s Day recoveries, from beachside breakfasts to DJ-backed sunsets, St Kilda offers a festive season that feels effortless and full of life.
For backpackers fresh off the plane, it’s an easy place to meet people and dive straight into Melbourne’s social scene. For locals, it’s a reminder of why St Kilda remains a summer classic.
If you’re looking for where the festive season really comes alive, you’ll find it right here on the St Kilda foreshore.