Upcoming Australian Holidays: Plan Your Getaways Now!

what holidays are coming up australia

Australia has several upcoming public holidays throughout the year, including national holidays such as Christmas Day and regional holidays like Canberra Day. Banks, offices, and some shops typically close during these holidays, so it's essential to plan ahead if you're visiting or conducting business in Australia. Let's explore the upcoming holidays in Australia and how they're observed across the country's states and territories.

Characteristics Values
Number of national public holidays 7
National public holidays New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
Date of Australia Day 26 January
Date of Anzac Day 25 April
States with Labour Day as a public holiday Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia
States with King's Birthday as a public holiday Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia
States with Melbourne Cup Day as a public holiday Victoria

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Upcoming national public holidays

Australia has seven national public holidays that are recognised in each of its eight states and territories. In addition to these, each state and territory government also declares its own public holidays. Here is a list of the upcoming national public holidays in Australia:

Australia Day

Australia Day, celebrated on 26 January, has been a national public holiday since 1994. It commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788. The first official celebration of Australia Day was held in 1818 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a Christian holiday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a public holiday in Australia, during which banks, offices, and some shops are closed. Alcohol licences in several states prohibit the sale of alcohol on this day.

Easter Monday

Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday, which commemorates Jesus' resurrection. In Australia, it is a public holiday and falls between 22 March and 25 April.

Anzac Day

Anzac Day, celebrated on 25 April, is a significant national day in Australia that honours the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and died in World War I. It is marked by memorial services, parades, and the wearing of poppies.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. It is a nationwide public holiday in Australia, during which businesses are closed.

Boxing Day

The day after Christmas Day is known as Boxing Day. It is also a public holiday in Australia, and if it falls on a weekend, the following Monday is observed as the public holiday instead.

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State-declared public holidays

Australia has seven national public holidays that are recognised in each of its eight states and territories. However, each state also has its own public holidays, declared by the state and territory governments. Here are the state-declared public holidays for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales (NSW), Northern Territory (NT), Queensland (QLD), South Australia (SA), and Victoria:

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

  • Canberra Day: The second Monday in March.
  • Reconciliation Day: 1 June.
  • King's Birthday: 8 June.
  • Labour Day: 5 October.

New South Wales (NSW)

  • King's Birthday: 8 June.
  • Labour Day: 5 October.

Northern Territory (NT)

  • May Day: 4 May.
  • King's Birthday: 8 June.
  • Alice Springs Show Day: 3 July.
  • Tennant Creek Show Day: 10 July.
  • Katherine Show Day: 17 July.
  • Darwin Show Day: 24 July.
  • Picnic Day: 3 August.
  • Borroloola Show Day: 21 August.

Queensland (QLD)

  • Labour Day: 4 May.
  • Royal Queensland Show: 12 August.
  • King's Birthday: 5 October.

South Australia (SA)

  • Adelaide Cup Day: 9 March.
  • King's Birthday: 8 June.
  • Labour Day: 5 October.
  • Proclamation Day: December.

Victoria

  • Labour Day: 9 March.
  • King's Birthday: 8 June.
  • Melbourne Cup Day: The first Tuesday of November.

In addition to these state-declared public holidays, there are also regional public holidays and local event days declared in certain areas of Australia to recognise significant annual events for the local community, such as agricultural shows or racing carnivals. These days may be declared by the relevant minister following an application by a local council.

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Regional holidays

Australia has seven national public holidays recognised across its eight states and territories. However, each state and territory also has its own public holidays. These are determined by a combination of statutes and specific gazetting of public holidays.

Australian Capital Territory

  • Canberra Day: The second Monday in March.
  • Reconciliation Day: 1 June.
  • King's Birthday: 8 June.
  • Labour Day: 5 October.

New South Wales

  • King's Birthday: 8 June.
  • Labour Day: 5 October.

Northern Territory

  • May Day: 4 May.
  • King's Birthday: 8 June.
  • Alice Springs Show Day: 3 July.
  • Tennant Creek Show Day: 10 July.
  • Katherine Show Day: 17 July.
  • Darwin Show Day: 24 July.
  • Picnic Day: 3 August.
  • Borroloola Show Day: 21 August.

Queensland

  • Labour Day: 4 May.
  • Royal Queensland Show: 12 August.
  • King's Birthday: 5 October.

South Australia

  • Adelaide Cup Day: 9 March.
  • King's Birthday: 8 June.
  • Labour Day: 5 October.

Victoria

  • Labour Day: 9 March.
  • King's Birthday: 8 June.
  • Melbourne Cup Day: The Friday before the AFL Grand Final, subject to the AFL schedule.

Western Australia

  • Labour Day: 2 March.
  • Western Australia Day: 1 June.
  • King's Birthday: 28 September.

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Labour Day

Many people use the Labour Day holiday to relax and spend time with friends and family, often enjoying barbecues in the park. Some may take advantage of the long weekend to plan a getaway trip to a coastal region, the mountains, or the countryside, engaging in activities such as picnics, wine-tasting, bush-walking, or camping.

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King's Birthday

The King's Birthday is a public holiday in Australia, celebrated by most states and territories on the second Monday in June, creating a long weekend in June. The holiday was first celebrated in Australia in 1788 when Governor Arthur Phillip declared a holiday to mark King George III's birthday.

The date of the King's Birthday has changed over time. Originally, the holiday fell on the actual birthday of the monarch. However, after the death of King George V in 1936, the date was moved closer to his birthday, which was 3 June. The date in June was chosen to increase the likelihood of good weather during the birthday celebrations. Today, the date of the King's Birthday varies across Australia, with some states and territories observing it on different dates to avoid clashes with other holidays. For example, Western Australia typically observes the holiday on the fourth Monday of September or the first Monday of October, while Queensland celebrates it on the first Monday of October.

On the King's Birthday, it is common for banks, offices, and some shops to be closed. The Melbourne Cricket Ground traditionally hosts an Australian Football League game between the Collingwood Magpies and the Melbourne Demons. In addition, the King's Birthday Honours List, recognising new members of the Order of Australia and other honours, is released around this time each year.

The King's Birthday is a day for Australians to mark the official birthday of their King, Charles III, who ascended to the British throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the Head of the Commonwealth and King of Australia.

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Frequently asked questions

Here is a list of upcoming public holidays in Australia for the rest of 2025: Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December).

Yes, here are some examples of public holidays that are specific to certain states: Canberra Day in the Australian Capital Territory, Labour Day in Victoria, and Adelaide Cup Day in South Australia.

Australia's national public holidays include New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

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