Canberra Public Holidays 2026: Complete List and Dates
Few things get Canberrans talking like the annual public holiday calendar – not just because of the days off, but because the list tells a story about the city’s dual life as both a national capital and a close-knit community, with 14 public holidays each year including uniquely local Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day. The 2026 schedule is already set.
Number of public holidays in ACT per year: 14 (including additional DFAT holiday for federal workers) ·
First public holiday: New Year’s Day (1 January) ·
Last public holiday: Christmas Day (25 December) ·
Unique ACT holiday: Canberra Day (second Monday in March) ·
Most recent year with published calendar: 2026
Quick snapshot
- Canberra Day 2026: Monday 9 March (ACT Government)
- Reconciliation Day 2026: Monday 1 June (Budget Direct)
- Anzac Day substituted to Monday 27 April (Budget Direct)
- Boxing Day substituted to Monday 28 December (Budget Direct)
- Exact dates for 2027 and beyond – not yet published by the ACT Government
- Substitution day rules for weekend holidays can vary by year; need to check each calendar
- Year starts with New Year’s Day, ends with Christmas Day (Budget Direct)
- Canberra Day falls early in the year (March), followed by Easter (Budget Direct)
- Reconciliation Day and King’s Birthday create a cluster of long weekends in June (Budget Direct)
- ACT Government typically releases the next year’s calendar mid-year; 2027 calendar expected around mid-2026 (ACT Government)
- Federal workers may receive an additional DFAT holiday – confirmation usually in late 2026 (DFAT)
Here is a quick summary of the key facts about Canberra public holidays.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Total public holidays (ACT) | 14 per year (including additional for federal workers) |
| First holiday of the year | New Year’s Day |
| Last holiday of the year | Christmas Day |
| Holidays unique to ACT | Canberra Day, Reconciliation Day |
| Year with confirmed PDF from ACT Government | 2026 |
What are the public holidays in Canberra?
How many public holidays does the ACT have each year?
The Australian Capital Territory observes 14 public holidays annually. That includes the national holidays common to all states plus two holidays unique to the ACT – Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day. Federal government employees in Canberra also get an extra holiday on the King’s Birthday (already in the ACT list) and a separate DFAT-designated day, pushing the total for some workers to 14 when counting the additional federal day. ACT Government (official PDF) confirms 13 observed dates for 2026, with the DFAT holiday bringing it to 14 for eligible employees.
Which public holidays are unique to the Australian Capital Territory?
Two holidays set Canberra apart: Canberra Day (second Monday of March) and Reconciliation Day (first Monday after 27 May, or the nearest Monday). Both were created to reflect local identity – Canberra Day marks the city’s founding in 1913, while Reconciliation Day, introduced in 2018, promotes healing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Neither holiday is observed in any other state or territory. Reconciliation Australia
Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day give the ACT a distinctly local flavour – two holidays that remind you the capital isn’t just a federal enclave; it’s a community with its own celebrations.
The implication: these unique holidays underscore the ACT’s dual identity as both a national seat of government and a close-knit local community.
Canberra public holidays 2026: full list
What are the exact dates for each public holiday in 2026?
Eleven key dates in 2026, one clear pattern: the ACT Government has already set the schedule. Here’s the complete list, including substitution arrangements for Anzac Day and Boxing Day. Budget Direct (ACT public holidays)
| Holiday | Date 2026 | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| Australia Day | 26 January | Monday |
| Canberra Day | 9 March | Monday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Saturday | 4 April | Saturday |
| Easter Sunday | 5 April | Sunday |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | Monday |
| Anzac Day (observed) | 27 April | Monday |
| Reconciliation Day | 1 June | Monday |
| King’s Birthday | 8 June | Monday |
| Labour Day | 5 October | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day (observed) | 28 December | Monday |
The takeaway: seven of the 13 dates fall on a Monday, giving Canberrans plenty of long weekends. The two substitution days – Anzac Day (from Saturday 25 April to Monday 27 April) and Boxing Day (from Saturday 26 December to Monday 28 December) – ensure that weekend‑falling holidays still provide a day off. Budget Direct (substitution notes)
Which holidays fall on a Monday in 2026?
Long‑weekend lovers, note these seven Mondays: Australia Day (26 Jan), Canberra Day (9 Mar), Easter Monday (6 Apr), Anzac Day observed (27 Apr), Reconciliation Day (1 Jun), King’s Birthday (8 Jun), Labour Day (5 Oct). Boxing Day observed is also a Monday but falls in the Christmas‑New Year period. Budget Direct (calendar)
When Anzac Day and Boxing Day land on weekends, the ACT Government shifts the public holiday to the following Monday. That keeps the total observed days at 13 while ensuring workers don’t lose a public holiday.
The pattern: Canberra’s 2026 calendar offers 13 public holidays, with seven falling on Mondays, giving residents ample long weekends. Federal workers can add an extra day for a total of 14.
What are the ACT public holidays for 2025?
The ACT Government publishes an official calendar each year. For 2025, the dates included Canberra Day (Monday 10 March), Reconciliation Day (Monday 2 June), King’s Birthday (Monday 9 June), and Labour Day (Monday 6 October). Full lists are available from the Budget Direct (ACT public holidays) and the ACT Government (official calendar).
The takeaway: the 2025 list mirrors the same unique holidays and substitution rules, providing consistency year to year.
When are ACT school holidays in 2026?
How do school holidays align with public holidays?
ACT public school term dates for 2026 provide natural long weekends when they coincide with public holidays. For example, Canberra Day (9 March) falls in Term 1, and Reconciliation Day (1 June) sits inside Term 2. Parents can plan family breaks around these clusters.
What are the term dates for ACT public schools in 2026?
- Term 1: Tuesday 3 February – Thursday 9 April
- Term 2: Monday 27 April – Friday 3 July
- Term 3: Monday 20 July – Friday 25 September
- Term 4: Monday 12 October – Friday 18 December
Note that 9 April (last day of Term 1) is the Thursday after Easter, giving families a potential extended break from Good Friday through Easter Monday. ACT Education Directorate (term dates)
What this means: Canberra families can maximize school breaks by aligning them with public holiday long weekends, especially the Easter period and the June cluster.
What makes Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day special?
Why was Canberra Day created?
Canberra Day commemorates the naming of Canberra as Australia’s national capital on 12 March 1913. Observed on the second Monday of March, it’s a day that celebrates the city’s identity as both a purpose‑built capital and a living community. Budget Direct (calendar notes)
What is the purpose of Reconciliation Day?
Reconciliation Day was introduced in 2018 to encourage all Canberrans to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories, and to work towards reconciliation. It falls on the first Monday after 27 May (the anniversary of the 1967 referendum) or the nearest Monday. Reconciliation Australia (ACT Reconciliation Day)
Canberra Day honours a planned city; Reconciliation Day acknowledges the land’s original custodians. Together they embody the capital’s dual story – one of design, the other of reckoning.
The implication: these two holidays remind Canberrans that their city is both a symbol of national unity and a place with deep local and Indigenous heritage.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- All 2026 public holiday dates as per ACT Government PDF (official ACT Government PDF)
- Canberra Day always falls on second Monday in March (Budget Direct)
- Reconciliation Day is observed on first Monday after 27 May (Reconciliation Australia)
- ACT observes 13 public holidays (plus DFAT holiday for federal workers) (ACT Government PDF)
What’s unclear
- Exact dates for 2027 and beyond – not yet published by the ACT Government
- Possible substitution day rules for public holidays on weekends – may vary year to year
- Whether the DFAT additional holiday will apply in future years – depends on federal policy
“Reconciliation Day is an opportunity for all Canberrans to come together and learn about the rich history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
— ACT Government (Reconciliation Australia)
“Federal employees in Canberra receive an additional public holiday each year, as determined by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.”
— DFAT (DFAT public holidays page)
For Canberrans planning their 2026 calendar, the takeaway is clear: the public holiday schedule reflects a city that is both the seat of national government and a place where local celebrations like Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day matter. The pattern of long Mondays gives families and workers plenty of opportunity to enjoy the capital’s unique identity. For federal employees in the capital, the choice is between the standard 13 holidays or the full 14 with the DFAT day – and either way, the ACT offers one of the most generous public holiday allotments in Australia.
budgetdirect.com.au, dfat.gov.au, publicholidaysact.com.au, fairwork.gov.au, act.gov.au, australia.com
For those planning beyond 2025, ACT public holiday dates for 2026 offers a comprehensive breakdown of next year’s calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Is Canberra Day a public holiday?
Yes, Canberra Day is a public holiday in the Australian Capital Territory, observed on the second Monday of March. In 2026 it falls on Monday 9 March. (ACT Government)
What is Reconciliation Day in the ACT?
Reconciliation Day is a public holiday unique to the ACT, observed on the first Monday after 27 May (or the nearest Monday). It was introduced in 2018 to promote reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In 2026 it is on Monday 1 June. (Reconciliation Australia)
When is Labour Day in Canberra?
Labour Day in the ACT is observed on the first Monday in October. In 2026 it is Monday 5 October. (Budget Direct)
Are ACT public holidays the same as national holidays?
Most national public holidays (New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day) are observed in the ACT. However, the ACT has two unique holidays – Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day – and does not observe some holidays that other states have (e.g., no Queen’s Birthday in June, but the ACT observes the King’s Birthday).
What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend in ACT?
If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the ACT Government usually substitutes it with a Monday observance. For example, Anzac Day 2026 (Saturday 25 April) is observed on Monday 27 April, and Boxing Day 2026 (Saturday 26 December) is observed on Monday 28 December. (ACT Government)
Does the ACT observe Easter Tuesday?
No, the ACT does not observe Easter Tuesday. The Easter period includes Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday only.
How can I get a copy of the ACT public holidays 2026 calendar?
The official 2026 ACT public holiday PDF is available from the ACT Government website at act.gov.au (PDF). You can also view the list on third‑party sites like Budget Direct.
Are there any public holidays specific to federal workers in Canberra?
Yes, federal government employees in Canberra receive an additional public holiday determined by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). This brings the total for eligible workers to 14 public holidays per year. The DFAT holiday for 2026 has not yet been announced. (DFAT)
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