Canberra Public Holidays – 2024 & 2025 Full List

The Australian Capital Territory observes a distinct set of public holidays that blend national commemorations with locally significant events. For residents and visitors planning time off work, travel, or family activities, understanding the full calendar of Canberra public holidays is essential for avoiding disruptions and making the most of days off.

Canberra, as the nation’s capital, follows the same federal public holidays as the rest of Australia but adds two unique territorial celebrations that reflect its history and multicultural identity. The official ACT Government publishes the definitive list each year, though variations can occur depending on how national holidays fall within the calendar.

This guide covers the complete ACT public holidays for 2024 and 2025, including dates, regional differences from neighbouring New South Wales, and what workers need to know about paid entitlements.

What are the public holidays in Canberra for 2024?

The 2024 ACT public holiday calendar includes eleven observed dates, with additional optional holiday days depending on workplace arrangements. Official listings from the ACT Government confirm the following dates for Canberra residents.

2024 overview

• New Year’s Day falls on Monday, 1 January 2024
• Australia Day is observed on Friday, 26 January 2024
• Canberra Day occurs on Monday, 12 March 2024, celebrating the naming of the capital in 1913
• Good Friday is Friday, 29 March 2024
• Easter Monday follows on Monday, 1 April 2024
• Anzac Day is observed on Thursday, 25 April 2024
• King’s Birthday falls on Monday, 10 June 2024
• Labour Day is Monday, 7 October 2024
• Christmas Day is Wednesday, 25 December 2024
• Boxing Day is Thursday, 26 December 2024

What are the ACT public holidays in 2025?

The 2025 calendar brings thirteen public holidays to the ACT, with one additional observance compared to 2024 due to how Australia Day falls on a weekend. The Fair Work Ombudsman confirms these dates for workers covered by national employment standards.

Complete 2025 calendar

Some sources list slightly different Easter dates, but the official ACT Government PDF and Fair Work Ombudsman records should be considered authoritative.

When is Canberra Day and other unique ACT holidays?

Two holidays distinguish the ACT from other Australian territories: Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day. Both reflect the unique identity and values of the Australian Capital Territory.

Canberra Day

Canberra Day is observed on the second Monday in March, falling on 12 March in 2024 and 10 March in 2025. The holiday commemorates the official naming of Canberra on 12 March 1913, when Lady Marion Deakin planted a tree to mark the occasion. For Canberrans, this is one of the most significant local celebrations of the year.

The day typically features community events, concerts, and family activities in locations like Commonwealth Park and the Kingston Foreshore. Many businesses and government offices close for the long weekend, making it a popular time for short trips to the surrounding New South Wales region or visits to the national attractions.

Reconciliation Day

Reconciliation Day was introduced in the ACT in 2018 and is observed on the first Monday in June. In 2025, this falls on 2 June. The holiday honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and provides an opportunity for reflection on the territory’s shared history.

Unlike many other states that observe Reconciliation Day on 27 May (the anniversary of the 1967 referendum), the ACT chose the first Monday in June to create a consistent long weekend. Events include Indigenous art exhibitions, cultural performances, and community gatherings.

Labour Day in the ACT

Labour Day in the ACT falls on the first Monday in October, matching the timing in New South Wales. For 2024, this is 7 October, and for 2025, it is 6 October. The holiday recognises the contributions of workers and the labour movement to Australian society.

Public holidays in Canberra vs other states like NSW?

For people travelling between Canberra and Sydney, understanding the differences between ACT and NSW public holidays is important for avoiding confusion. While many national holidays align across both jurisdictions, there are notable differences.

Key differences between ACT and NSW

The ACT’s unique holidays—Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day—are not observed in NSW. Conversely, NSW has local show days and regional holidays that do not apply in the ACT. This means that a business operating in both jurisdictions must manage different holiday calendars throughout the year.

For those considering CommBank Car Loan – Rates from 5.99%, Features & Reviews for vehicle financing, understanding the holiday calendar can be useful when planning road trips between the two regions.

Are national holidays like Good Friday and ANZAC Day observed in Canberra?

Yes, the ACT observes all national public holidays observed across Australia, including Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, and others. These dates are consistent throughout the country and apply to the ACT under the Fair Work Act.

Good Friday in Canberra

Good Friday is a statutory public holiday throughout Australia, and the ACT is no exception. In 2024, Good Friday falls on 29 March, and in 2025, it is observed on 18 April. Good Friday is one of the most significant religious holidays in the Christian calendar and one of the few days when most businesses are legally required to close.

Anzac Day in Canberra

Anzac Day, observed on 25 April each year, commemorates Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who fought at Gallipoli during World War I. In the ACT, the day is marked with dawn services at the Australian War Memorial and other commemorative events. The holiday has been observed nationally since 1921 and remains one of Australia’s most solemn occasions.

Easter public holidays in the ACT

The ACT observes a four-day Easter period, which is longer than some other jurisdictions:

• Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
• Easter Saturday (the Saturday following Good Friday)
• Easter Sunday (the Sunday before Easter Monday)
• Easter Monday (the Monday after Easter Sunday)

This means Canberra has both Saturday and Sunday as public holidays during Easter, which is significant for retail and hospitality workers and their penalty rate entitlements.

King’s Birthday and Queen’s Birthday

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, Australia transitioned from observing the Queen’s Birthday to the King’s Birthday. In 2024 and 2025, the ACT observes the King’s Birthday on the second Monday in June (10 June 2024, 9 June 2025).

Christmas and Boxing Day

Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) are observed nationally. When Christmas Day falls on a weekend, substitute days are often observed. In the ACT, Boxing Day is consistently observed on 26 December, providing a second consecutive day off over the Christmas period.

Timeline of ACT public holidays throughout the year

The ACT public holiday year begins with New Year’s Day and concludes with Boxing Day. Between these bookends, Canberrans experience a mix of national commemorations and locally significant celebrations spread across the calendar.

1. January – New Year’s Day (1 Jan) and Australia Day (26 Jan or observed date)
2. March – Canberra Day (second Monday)
3. April – Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day (25 Apr)
4. June – Reconciliation Day (first Monday) and King’s Birthday (second Monday)
5. October – Labour Day (first Monday)
6. December – Christmas Day (25 Dec) and Boxing Day (26 Dec)

Early previews of 2026 ACT public holidays suggest Canberra Day will fall on 9 March, with Labour Day on 5 October. These dates are typically confirmed in the preceding year’s official government publications.

What’s certain and what remains unclear about ACT public holidays?

While the ACT public holiday calendar is largely predictable, there are areas of certainty and aspects that require clarification from official sources each year.

Historical and legislative context of ACT public holidays

Public holidays in the ACT are governed primarily by the Holidays Act 1958 (ACT), which sets out the legally recognised public holidays for the territory. This legislation establishes which days are public holidays and provides the framework for how they are observed.

Canberra Day was first observed in 1935, originally on 12 March to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone in 1913. The date was later moved to the second Monday in March to create a consistent long weekend. Reconciliation Day was added in 2018 following community consultation and a private member’s bill, reflecting the ACT’s progressive approach to Indigenous recognition.

The Holidays Act framework ensures that employees in the ACT receive minimum entitlements on public holidays, including paid time off or penalty rates depending on whether they work on the day.

Sources and official references

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on ACT public holidays, the following official sources should be consulted:

“Under the Fair Work Act, employees not required to work on a public holiday are entitled to payment at their base rate of pay for the ordinary hours they would have worked on that day.”

– Fair Work Ombudsman, 2025 Public Holidays guidance

The ACT Chief Minister Directorate can be contacted on 13 22 81 for specific enquiries about public holiday entitlements and variations under employment awards.

Summary and key takeaways

The ACT observes 13 public holidays annually, including two unique territorial celebrations—Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day—that distinguish it from other Australian jurisdictions. National holidays like Good Friday, Anzac Day, and Christmas are observed on the same dates as elsewhere in Australia.

Workers should be aware of their entitlements under the Fair Work Act and the Holidays Act 1958 (ACT), which provide for paid time off or penalty rates depending on their employment arrangements. For those streaming services during holidays, Just Watch Au – Guide to Streaming Services in Australia offers helpful information.

Planning around the ACT public holiday calendar requires attention to both national dates and local observances, particularly for those travelling to or from New South Wales where the holiday schedules differ slightly. Official sources from the ACT Government and Fair Work Ombudsman provide the most reliable reference points for current and upcoming holidays.

Frequently asked questions