Christmas Day
Nationwide public holiday in Australia
Dates
| Year | Date | Weekday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 December | Friday | Nationwide |
| 2027 | 25 December | Saturday | Nationwide |
| 2027 | 27 December | Monday | Christmas Day (observed) Observed day off for Christmas Day (Sat 25 Dec) |
Observed days are days off given instead of, or as well as, the holiday's own date, for example when it falls on a weekend or the law moves it to a Monday.
Where it applies
Everywhere in Australia.
Is it a day off?
Yes. It is an official public holiday, so most employees have the day off. Government offices, schools and many businesses are usually closed; shops, restaurants and public transport may keep reduced hours. Check local announcements for opening times.
Make it longer
Fri 25 Dec – Sun 27 Dec is a 3-day weekend with no leave needed.
Plan more breaks with the leave planner.
Typical weather in Canberra around 25 December: high 27°C (80°F), low 12°C (54°F), rain on 31% of days.
Averages for 2015–2024, 3 days either side of the date, for the area around Canberra. Past averages, not a forecast.
Forecast for Friday 25 December in Canberra: (MET Norway)
About Christmas Day
Christmas Day in Australia, on 25 December, is celebrated with many of the same customs as in other English-speaking countries, but because it falls in the southern hemisphere summer, local traditions have adapted to the warm weather and the start of the long summer school holidays.
Traditions
Alongside or instead of a traditional roast, many families serve seafood such as prawns, cold meats and salads, and pavlova is a common dessert. Celebrations often move outdoors, with barbecues, gatherings in parks and trips to the beach. Carols by Candlelight concerts are held in the lead-up to Christmas.
Editorial summary by Public Holidays World. Dates on this page come from the data source; customs vary by region and family.
Coming up next in Australia
Saturday, 26 December 2026
Christmas Day in other countries
American Samoa
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Cook Islands
Fiji
French Polynesia
Guam
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Nauru
New Caledonia
More for Australia
Holiday dates are for general information and can change. Official government announcements take precedence.