Fury as iconic Myer Christmas tradition is cancelled in Melbourne following threat from pro-Palestine protesters
An iconic Aussie Christmas tradition celebrated for almost 70 years will not go ahead, amid fears the family-friendly event will be hijacked by pro-Palestine activists.
The famous annual Myer Christmas window-reveal planned for Sunday at its Melbourne CBD store in Bourke Street has been cancelled due to safety concerns.
The department store giant confirmed on Thursday that the beloved Christmas tradition will not go ahead.
‘In light of recent developments and to ensure the wellbeing and safety of customers and team members, we will no longer hold an event on Bourke Street Mall for the unveiling of our Christmas windows,’ a Myer spokesperson said.
‘Myer’s Christmas windows have long symbolised joy and community, and we remain committed to providing a safe and positive experience for all visitors.’
Pro-Palestine activist group Disrupt Wars plans to rally at Bourke Street Mall on Sunday.
‘Christmas is cancelled, and there will be no joy or frivolity while children in Gaza are massacred,’ the group posted on social media.
‘Inconvenience those who would rather bury their heads in the capitalist machine than speak up against a genocide.’
Myer’s famous Christmas window unveiling at its Melbourne CBD store won’t go ahead
The annual Myer Christmas window reveal planned for Sunday in Bourke Street Mall has been cancelled due to safety concerns from a planned pro-Palestine protest
An image on social media included the threat, ‘Crash the Christmas windows.’
It will be only the second time the iconic Myer unveiling has been cancelled in its almost 70 year history.
The event was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.
The cancellation of the time-honoured event has sparked anger from Jewish leaders.
‘Is nothing sacred anymore?’ community leader and Anti-Defamation chair Dr Dvir Abramovich told the Herald Sun
‘This is not about free speech – it’s a toxic hijacking of a family-friendly tradition that has no place in any community.
‘Melbourne’s Christmas windows are about peace, unity, and holiday magic, not about spreading discord and confrontation.
‘We cannot allow the spirit of Christmas to be exploited as a vehicle for hatred or to spread anger and misinformation.’
A pro-Palestinian group In Melbourne (supporters pictured) has threatened to ‘Crash the Christmas windows. ‘Christmas is cancelled, and there will be no joy or frivolity while children in Gaza are massacred’
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed it was aware of reports that protesters had been planning to disrupt the Myer event.
‘We have repeatedly requested they do not do this, however, the group is not co-operating with police,’ the spokesperson said.
The cancellation has been met with public outrage.
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council and Liberal Member for Southern Metropolitan Region Georgie Crozier led the backlash.
‘Myer Christmas Windows unveiling cancelled due to pro-Palestine protest. What a disgrace… these activists aren’t protestors, they are pathetic miserable bullies,’ she posted on X on Thursday night.
Aussies also took to X to vent their fury.
‘”Disrupt war” protesters to gatecrash families and children attending the Myer Christmas windows reveal on Sunday. You can’t get more stupid and sick than that,’ one wrote.
Another wrote: ‘Why would protesters want to spoil the Myer Christmas Window?’ When little kids would be looking forward to it? What are they achieving can’t they let them enjoy one Sunday?’ another wrote.
Channel Seven reporter Nick McCallum also weighed in and urged Myer to rethink its decision.
‘Myer should have gone ahead with the Christmas windows launch. It’s a beautiful Melbourne tradition for the entire community. They and the police should have been strong enough to defy protesters and protect those attending. Don’t just give up when the going gets tough!’ he wrote.
