Experience Australian culture by observing the country’s public holidays in 2025. From solemn Remembrance Day memorials to lively festivals like Moomba, these special days offer insight into Australia’s heritage.
Public holidays like Australia Day and Anzac Day inspire patriotic celebrations nationwide. Melbourne Cup Day horse races stop the nation for a legendary sporting event. Christmas and Easter highlight how Australians observe religious traditions in their sunny way.
King’s Birthday honors the British monarchy, while Labour Day reflects the country’s working roots. Join in local traditions or relax on days off work during Australia’s diverse public holidays in 2025.
National Holidays In Australia In 2025
Below is the list of the national public holidays in Australia in 2025.
New Year’s Day
January 1st is New Year’s Day, the start of the new calendar year. Australians celebrate hopes for the future. The holiday is filled with fireworks, parties, and looking back at the past year.
Families and friends get together to eat and have fun. New Year’s Day comes from Australia’s British history. Australians look forward with optimism to begin the year new.
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Australia Day
Australia Day is January 26th. It remembers when the First Fleet arrived in Sydney in 1788. This started European settlement in Australia and celebrates Australian culture, history, and diversity.
Celebrations include concerts, barbeques, fireworks, and citizenship ceremonies. But Australia Day also brings complicated feelings. It began the dispossession of Indigenous people.
The date reflects on national progress and challenges. Australia Day honors resilience in creating an independent identity.
Good Friday
Good Friday remembers Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and death on the cross. In Australia, Christians reflect solemnly with prayer and fasting. Church services focus on Christ’s sacrifice for humanity’s sins.
By law, no food or drinks can be sold in certain areas. Good Friday starts the Easter weekend. It has deep meaning for Australian Christians. The public holiday allows reflecting on their faith.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday continues Easter parties after Jesus’ resurrection. The public holiday gives Australians time for family activities. Traditions are egg hunts, meals, and sports games.
Easter Monday ends Holy Week and Lent’s 40 days. It marks an important Christian date. The holiday reflects Australia’s Christian history. Easter Monday enables more rebirth and hope celebration.
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day honors Australian and New Zealand veterans. It remembers sacrifices made at Gallipoli in World War I. ANZAC Day celebrates the courage and mateship of ANZAC troops.
Customs are dawn services, marches, and wearing rosemary. The holiday remembers those who fought for Australia’s freedoms. ANZAC Day highlights national identity through military history.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is December 25th. It celebrates Jesus’ birth and family time. Australians exchange gifts, attend church, and enjoy traditional meals together.
Houses are decorated, and carols are sung. Santa Claus brings children gifts. The public holiday allows for festivities and leisure. Christmas is both cultural and religious. It inspires kindness, hope, and peace in Australia.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is on December 26th and began as a British tradition of giving servants gift boxes. Australians now celebrate with sports and shopping sales.
Families relax together the day after Christmas. Leftover dishes are finished off, too. The public holiday continues the Christmas spirit. Boxing Day allows unwinding from the holidays.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
| New Year’s Day | Jan 01, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Australia Day | Jan 26, 2025 | Sunday |
| Good Friday | Apr 18, 2025 | Friday |
| Easter Monday | Apr 21, 2025 | Monday |
| ANZAC Day | Apr 25, 2025 | Friday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2025 | Thursday |
| Boxing Day | Dec 26, 2025 | Friday |
Holidays In Australian States & Territories In 2025
Labour Day (WA, VIC, QLD, ACT, NSW, SA)
Labour Day honors workers’ contributions. The public holiday came from the labor movement fighting for rights and fair pay. People attend rallies and spend time with family.
Labour Day recognizes the hard work and achievements of employees. It promotes continuing to improve protections for workers.
Adelaide Cup Day (South Australia)
Adelaide Cup Day highlights horse racing in South Australia. This March public holiday is for the Adelaide Cup race. Festivities include fashion, music, and fun. It’s a popular social and sporting event. Adelaide Cup Day provides entertainment and leisure time.
Canberra Day (Australian Capital Territory)
Canberra Day celebrates the Australian Capital Territory in March. It marks when Canberra has officially named the capital in 1913. Events include hot air balloons, concerts, and a classic car display.
Canberra Day honors the purpose-built city’s start and growth. It creates pride in Canberrans for its special home.
Eight Hours Day (Tasmania)
Eight Hours Day was an early victory for workers’ rights. It commemorates the campaign starting in 1856 for an 8-hour workday.
The public holiday recognizes the labor movement’s contributions. Eight Hours Day involves events and reflecting on values like work-life balance.
Easter Saturday (All except Tasmania & Western Australia)
It is the day before Easter Sunday in Australia. It transitions from Good Friday’s grief to Easter’s joy.
Customs involve preparing eggs and family meals. Easter Saturday services reflect on finding hope after sorrow. The holiday finishes Lent’s period of sacrifice.
Easter Sunday (ACT, NSW, QLD, VIC, WA)
Easter Sunday marks Jesus’ resurrection, central to Christianity. Australians attend church and gather with family.
Traditions include decorating eggs to symbolize new life. The public holiday allows national reflection on spiritual rebirth.
Easter Tuesday (Tasmania)
Easter Tuesday continues the Easter extended weekend. Families spend time together with meals, activities, and sports. It’s an extra public holiday to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.
For Christians, Easter Tuesday emphasizes Christ’s promise of eternal life. The holiday lets Australians fully enjoy Easter festivities.
May Day (Northern Territory)
Labor groups created May Day to celebrate workers. The public holiday on May 1st recognizes employees’ rights and contributions.
May Day involves events, speeches, and calls for fair conditions. It reminds Australians to keep improving labor reforms. The day off work honors hard-working people.
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Reconciliation Day (Australian Capital Territory)
Reconciliation Day promotes Indigenous justice and culture. The holiday marks milestones in reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Australians.
Reconciliation events educate about Aboriginal history and advocacy. The national day builds awareness to achieve equality and understanding between all Australians.
Western Australia Day (Western Australia)
Western Australia Day in June celebrates the state’s founding. It marked the first European settlement at the Swan River Colony in 1829.
Festivities include fireworks, fairs, and historical reenactments. Western Australia Day commemorates progress and achievements. The holiday develops state pride for Western Australians.
Picnic Day (Northern Territory)
Picnic Day in August began as a Northern Territory community festival. The public holiday features races, rides, dances, and more. Picnic Day is known for bringing people together to enjoy food, fun, and entertainment. It provides family activities before the dry season starts.
Royal Queensland Show (Queensland – Brisbane only)
The Royal Queensland Show is a big agricultural event over 10 days. People visit for competitions, rides, shows, and food. The holiday in August allows Queenslanders to enjoy this beloved tradition.
The Royal Queensland Show celebrates the state’s farming heritage. It showcases Australian culture on grand display.
King’s Birthday
The King’s Birthday holiday honors King Charles III in June. The public holiday celebrates Australia’s British monarch and history. It is marked with a ceremony and parades. King’s Birthday provides a day off to reflect on the Crown’s role. The occasion reinforces national identity and Commonwealth links.
Melbourne Cup (Victoria)
Melbourne Cup Day highlights Australia’s major horseracing spectacle. Held annually in November, the Melbourne Cup draws huge crowds. The public holiday allows watching the famous race. Melbourne Cup features fashion, celebrities, and betting. It is an exciting day filled with glamor on the social calendar.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
| Labour Day | Mar 03, 2025 | Monday |
| Adelaide Cup Day | Mar 10, 2025 | Monday |
| Canberra Day | Mar 10, 2025 | Monday |
| Eight Hours Day | Mar 10, 2025 | Monday |
| Labour Day | Mar 10, 2025 | Monday |
| Easter Saturday | Apr 19, 2025 | Saturday |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 20, 2025 | Sunday |
| Easter Tuesday | Apr 22, 2025 | Tuesday |
| May Day | May 05, 2025 | Monday |
| Labour Day | May 05, 2025 | Monday |
| Reconciliation Day | Jun 02, 2025 | Monday |
| Western Australia Day | Jun 02, 2025 | Monday |
| King’s Birthday | Jun 09, 2025 | Monday |
| Picnic Day | Aug 04, 2025 | Monday |
| Royal Queensland Show | Aug 13, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Friday before the AFL Grand Final | Sep 26, 2025 | Friday |
| King’s Birthday | Sep 29, 2025 | Monday |
| Labour Day | Oct 06, 2025 | Monday |
| King’s Birthday | Oct 06, 2025 | Monday |
| Melbourne Cup | Nov 04, 2025 | Tuesday |
| Christmas Eve (evening) | Dec 24, 2025 | Wednesday |
| New Year’s Eve (evening) | Dec 31, 2025 | Wednesday |