Public Holidays & Festivals in Melbourne & Sydney
Australia is an international and multi-cultural country, its liveliness and diversity are often shown in the world-renowned events held here throughout the year.
Please refer to the following list of Australian public holidays and festival dates to assist in your holiday planning.
- 1 January:New Year’s Day (National Public Holiday, celebratory parade in capital cities)
- Event in January:Australian Open Tennis Championships(Melbourne)
- 26 January (approx):Australian Day(National Public Holiday)
- Event in February:Melbourne White Night Light Show
- 13 March (approx):Labour Day*(Melbourne)
- Events in March: Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix(Melbourne)| Moomba Festival (Celebratory parade in Melbourne CBD) | Mardi Gras Parade (Sydney) | Melbourne International Comedy Festival| Melbourne Food & Wine Festival|Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
- March to April:Good Friday,Easter Monday (long weekend,National Public Holiday)
- 25 April:ANZAC Day(National Public Holiday,commemoration parade in capital cities)
- Event in April:Sydney Royal Easter Show
- Event in May to June:Vivid Sydney light show
- Second Monday in June:Queen’s Birthday (National Public Holiday, exclude Western Australia)
- Event in July to August:Melbourne International Film Festival
- First Monday in August:Bank Holiday (Sydney only)
- Event in August to September:Melbourne Fashion Week |Royal Melbourne Show
- 1 October (approx):Australian Football League Grand Final(Public Holiday in Melbourne)
- 3 Oct (approx):Labour Day*(Sydney)
- First Tuesday in November:Melbourne Cup Day(Public Holiday in Melbourne,biggest horse race in Australia)
- Event in October to November:Spring Racing Carnival(Melbourne)| National Rugby League Premiership Grand Final (Sydney) | Sydney International Food Festival
- 24 December:Christmas Eve
- 25 December:Christmas Day (National Public Holiday)
- 26 December:Boxing Day (National Public Holiday, exclude South Australia)
- 31 December:New Year’s Eve (National Public Holiday, fireworks and major celebration in capital cities)
* Labour Day holidays are different in each state.