Here is a complete list of all 2026 and 2027 public holidays in the Northern Territory, including national and territory holidays.
Public Holidays 2026
NT Public Holidays 2026
| Public Holiday | Day/Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, 1 January |
| Australia Day | Monday, 26 January |
| Good Friday | Friday, 3 April |
| Easter Saturday | Saturday, 4 April |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday, 5 April |
| Easter Monday | Monday, 6 April |
| Anzac Day | Saturday, 25 April |
| May Day | Monday, 4 May |
| King’s Birthday | Monday, 8 June |
| Alice Springs Show Day | Friday, 3 July* |
| Tennant Creek Show Day | Friday, 10 July* |
| Katherine Show Day | Friday, 17 July* |
| Darwin Show Day | Friday, 24 July* |
| Picnic Day | Monday, 3 August |
| Borroloola Show Day | Friday, 14 August |
| Christmas Eve (7pm–12am) | Thursday, 24 December |
| Christmas Day | Friday, 25 December |
| Boxing Day | Saturday, 26 December Public holiday falls on Monday, 28 December |
| New Year’s Eve (7pm–12am) | Thursday, 31 December |
*Regional holidays that only apply to specific locations.
Public Holidays 2027
NT Public Holidays 2027
| Public Holiday | Day/Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Friday, 1 January 2027 |
| Australia Day | Tuesday, 26 January 2027 |
| Good Friday | Friday, 26 March 2027 |
| Easter Saturday | Saturday, 27 March 2027 |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday, 28 March 2027 |
| Easter Monday | Monday, 29 March 2027 |
| Anzac Day | Sunday, 25 April Public holiday observed on Monday, 26 April 2027 |
| May Day | Monday, 3 May 2027 |
| King’s Birthday | Monday, 14 June 2027 |
| Alice Springs Show Day | Friday, 2 July 2027* |
| Tennant Creek Show Day | Friday, 9 July 2027* |
| Katherine Show Day | Friday, 16 July 2027* |
| Darwin Show Day | Friday, 23 July 2027* |
| Picnic Day | Monday, 2 August 2027 |
| Borroloola Show Day | Friday, 13 August 2027* |
| Christmas Eve (7pm–12am) | Thursday, 24 December 2027 |
| Christmas Day | Saturday, 25 December Public holiday observed on Monday, 27 December |
| Boxing Day | Sunday, 26 December Public holiday observed on Tuesday, 28 December |
| New Year’s Eve (7pm–12am) | Friday, 31 December 2027 |
* Regional holidays that only apply to specific locations.
School Holidays 2026
NT School Holidays 2026
| Term 1 | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| School Holidays | Friday, 3 April 2026 | Sunday, 12 April 2026 |
| Term 2 | Start | Finish |
| School Holidays | Saturday, 20 June 2026 | Sunday, 12 July 2026 |
| Term 3 | Start | Finish |
| School Holidays | Saturday, 19 September 2026 | Sunday, 4 October 2026 |
| Term 4 | Start | Finish |
| School Holidays | Saturday, 12 December 2026 | Tuesday, 26 January 2027 |
*Gunbalanya School operates on a flexible school year, with school term dates determined through separate consultations.
School Holidays 2027
NT School Holidays 2027
| Term 1 | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| School Holidays | Saturday, 3 April 2027 | Monday, 12 April 2027 |
| Term 2 | Start | Finish |
| School Holidays | 19 Saturday, June 2027 | Monday, 12 July 2027 |
| Term 3 | Start | Finish |
| School Holidays | Saturday, 18 September 2027 | Monday, 4 October 2027 |
| Term 4 | Start | Finish |
| School Holidays | Friday, 10 December 2027 | TBC |
*Gunbalanya School operates on a flexible school year, with school term dates determined through separate consultations.
Leave Maximiser 2026
How to Maximise Your Work Leave in 2026
Take time away from work so you can enjoy more time off.
Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 20 December | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 21 December | No | Yes |
| Monday, 22 December | Yes | No |
| Tuesday, 23 December | Yes | No |
| Wednesday, 24 December | Yes | No |
| Thursday, 25 December | No | Yes |
| Friday, 26 December | No | Yes |
| Saturday, 27 December | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 28 December | No | Yes |
| Monday, 29 December | Yes | No |
| Tuesday, 30 December | Yes | No |
| Wednesday, 31 December | Yes | No |
| Thursday, 1 January | No | Yes |
| Friday, 2 January | Yes | No |
| Saturday, 3 January | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 4 January | No | Yes |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 7 | Days off: 9 |
| Total days off: 16 | ||
Australia Day
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 23 January | Yes | No |
| Saturday, 24 January | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 25 January | No | Yes |
| Monday, 26 January | No | Yes |
| Tuesday, 27 January | Yes | No |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 2 | Days off: 3 |
| Total days off: 5 | ||
Easter Holidays
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 3 April | No | Yes |
| Saturday, 4 April | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 5 April | No | Yes |
| Monday, 6 April | No | Yes |
| Tuesday, 7 April | Yes | No |
| Wednesday, 8 April | Yes | No |
| Thursday, 9 April | Yes | No |
| Friday, 10 April | Yes | No |
| Saturday, 11 April | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 12 April | No | Yes |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 4 | Days off: 6 |
| Total days off: 10 | ||
Picnic Day
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 1 August | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 2 August | No | Yes |
| Monday, 3 August | No | Yes |
| Tuesday, 4 August | Yes | No |
| Wednesday, 5 August | Yes | No |
| Thursday, 6 August | Yes | No |
| Friday, 7 August | Yes | No |
| Saturday, 8 August | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 9 August | No | Yes |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 4 | Days off: 5 |
| Total days off: 9 | ||
Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 19 December | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 20 December | No | Yes |
| Monday, 21 December | Yes | No |
| Tuesday, 22 December | Yes | No |
| Wednesday, 23 December | Yes | No |
| Thursday, 24 December | Yes | No |
| Friday, 25 December | No | Yes |
| Saturday, 26 December | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 27 December | No | Yes |
| Monday, 28 December | No | Yes |
| Tuesday, 29 December | Yes | No |
| Wednesday, 30 December | Yes | No |
| Thursday, 31 December | Yes | No |
| Friday, 1 January | No | Yes |
| Saturday, 2 January | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 3 January | No | Yes |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 7 | Days off: 9 |
| Total days off: 16 | ||
Leave Maximiser 2027
How to Maximise Your Work Leave in 2027
Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 19 December 2026 | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 20 December 2026 | No | Yes |
| Monday, 21 December 2026 | Yes | No |
| Tuesday, 22 December 2026 | Yes | No |
| Wednesday, 23 December 2026 | Yes | No |
| Thursday, 24 December 2026 | Yes | No |
| Friday, 25 December 2026 | No | Yes |
| Saturday, 26 December 2026 | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 27 December 2026 | No | Yes |
| Monday, 28 December 2026 | No | Yes |
| Tuesday, 29 December 2026 | Yes | No |
| Wednesday, 30 December 2026 | Yes | No |
| Thursday, 31 December 2026 | Yes | No |
| Friday, 1 January 2027 | No | Yes |
| Saturday, 2 January 2027 | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 3 January 2027 | No | Yes |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 7 | Days off: 9 |
| Total days off: 16 | ||
If you live at the top end of NT in Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine or Arnhem Land, you know that this time of year is the middle of the wet season. [1] Make sure to prepare appropriately for monsoons, tropical cyclones and flooding, like insuring your car in case of extreme weather.
Easter Holidays
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 26 March | No | Yes |
| Saturday, 27 March | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 28 March | No | Yes |
| Monday, 29 March | No | Yes |
| Tuesday, 30 March | Yes | No |
| Wednesday, 31 March | Yes | No |
| Thursday, 1 April | Yes | No |
| Friday, 2 April | Yes | No |
| Saturday, 3 April | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 4 April | No | Yes |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 4 | Days off: 6 |
| Total days off: 10 | ||
The Easter Holidays are perfect for seeing NT’s beautiful national parks. Consider road tripping to NT’s tallest waterfalls, Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, or exploring the Finke Gorge National Park. [2]
Don’t forget road safety. Statistically, Territorians are four times more likely to get into a road accident compared to the rest of Australia. [3] Crashes are more likely to happen when roads are busy, such as on the Easter long weekend. Help protect yourself on the roads with car insurance and roadside assistance.
Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 18 December 2027 | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 19 December 2027 | No | Yes |
| Monday, 20 December 2027 | Yes | No |
| Tuesday, 21 December 2027 | Yes | No |
| Wednesday, 22 December 2027 | Yes | No |
| Thursday, 23 December 2027 | Yes | No |
| Friday, 24 December 2027 | Yes | No |
| Saturday, 25 December 2027 | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 26 December 2027 | No | Yes |
| Monday, 27 December 2027 | No | Yes |
| Tuesday, 28 December 2027 | No | Yes |
| Wednesday, 29 December 2027 | Yes | No |
| Thursday, 30 December 2027 | Yes | No |
| Friday, 31 December 2027 | Yes | No |
| Saturday, 1 January 2028 | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 2 January 2028 | No | Yes |
| Monday, 3 January 2028 | No | Yes |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 8 | Days off: 9 |
| Total days off: 17 | ||
How to Maximise Your Weekends in 2027
Australia Day
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 22 January 2027 | Yes | No |
| Saturday, 23 January 2027 | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 24 January 2027 | No | Yes |
| Monday, 25 January 2027 | Yes | No |
| Tuesday, 26 January 2027 | No | Yes |
| Wednesday, 27 January 2027 | Yes | No |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 3 | Days off: 3 |
| Total days off: 6 | ||
Australia Day is not only an opportunity for a long weekend, but also a time to celebrate the best parts of Australia, which includes our iconic fauna. So why not get an up-close look at one of our most powerful and ancient animals: the saltwater crocodile? Watch salties leap out of the Adelaide River on a Jumping Croc tour for an exhilarating and educational glimpse of our natural wildlife. [4] Just remember to keep your hands inside the boat!
Anzac Day
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 23 April 2027 | Yes | No |
| Saturday, 24 April 2027 | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 25 April 2027 | No | Yes |
| Monday, 26 April 2027 | No | Yes |
| Tuesday, 27 April 2027 | Yes | No |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 2 | Days off: 3 |
| Total days off: 5 | ||
One of the perks of living in the NT is the variety of places and activities that are discounted and even free for residents. Territorians can get discounted memberships for wildlife parks such as the Territory Wildlife Park and the Desert Springs Wildlife Park. For adventurers who want to go on hikes, NT residents can enjoy free entry to Kakadu National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. [5] For something more educational, visit the Bamboo Creek Tin Mine to learn about NT’s mining history. [6]
May Day
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 30 April 2027 | Yes | No |
| Saturday, 1 May 2027 | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 2 May 2027 | No | Yes |
| Monday, 3 May 2027 | No | Yes |
| Tuesday, 4 May 2027 | Yes | No |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 2 | Days off: 3 |
| Total days off: 5 | ||
Everyone is familiar with Uluru and its scenic beauty against the outback desert. But have you ever seen it on the back of a camel? Take a sunset or sunrise tour by camelback to bask in the majesty of nature. [7] While you’re at it, make sure you check out what you are and are not covered for when it comes to any planned holiday activities. Our Budget Direct Domestic Travel Insurance automatically covers camel riding, but more adventurous activities may require adding one of our two levels of Adventure Activities cover to your policy.
King’s Birthday
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 11 June 2027 | Yes | No |
| Saturday, 12 June 2027 | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 13 June 2027 | No | Yes |
| Monday, 14 June 2027 | No | Yes |
| Tuesday, 15 June 2027 | Yes | No |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 2 | Days off: 3 |
| Total days off: 5 | ||
If you want to get in touch with Australia’s Indigenous culture, the Barunga Festival is one of the best celebrations of NT’s cultural heritage. Open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons, attendees can enjoy a diverse program of traditional dance, music performance, bush medicine workshops, sports activities, and art exhibitions. Located 80 km southeast of Katherine, participants can camp throughout the long weekend to learn about and participate in the region’s rich culture. [8]
Picnic Day
| Date | Take Leave? | Public Holiday/Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 31 July 2027 | No | Yes |
| Sunday, 1 August 2027 | No | Yes |
| Monday, 2 August 2027 | No | Yes |
| Tuesday, 3 August 2027 | Yes | No |
| Totals | Days of annual leave: 1 | Days off: 3 |
| Total days off: 4 | ||
The winter months are the best time for Territorians to explore the richness of the Australian outback. In Kakadu and Katherine, temperatures stay at a dry 20-30°C [9], making it a perfect time for sightseeing and exploration. This gives you the opportunity to explore the beautiful rock formations of Karlu Karlu in Warumungu [10], or the wonders of Kings Canyon at Watarrka National Park. [11]
NT Public Holidays in Detail
May Day
Also known as Labour Day in other Australian states and territories, May Day is the annual celebration of the modern eight-hour working day implemented in the 19th century. May Day is always held on a Monday, forming a long weekend each year.
Alice Springs Show Day
The Alice Springs Show is an annual agricultural and pastoral event that showcases the region’s best produce, livestock and craft.
It features outback sporting events, cooking contests, carnival-style rides and fireworks.
Tennant Creek Show Day
The Tennant Creek Show Day showcases the region’s agricultural accomplishments. The main attractions include cattle and dog demonstrations, rides, sideshow alley games, music events, and arts and crafts competitions.
Katherine Show Day
The Katherine Show Day has several large competitions with prizes for dog jumping, needlework, cooking, poetry, writing and rodeo.
There are equestrian events throughout the week leading up to the public holiday, with the main events taking place on Friday and Saturday. There are an average of 3,000 entries in the showcase competitions. The day concludes with a fireworks display on Saturday night.
Darwin Show Day
The Darwin Show is the oldest show day in the Northern Territory, dating back to 1952. It is a demonstration of Darwin’s agriculture, livestock, trade and industries.
Thousands of locals and visitors arrive to compete in 24 competitions each year, ranging from stud cattle and arts and crafts, to horticulture and photography.
It is only observed in Darwin and surrounding regions.
Picnic Day
Picnic Day began as a holiday for railway workers to picnic at the Adelaide River in the late 1800s.
Annual races are held in Harts Ranges on Picnic Day, as well as bull rides and children’s competitions.
Borroloola Show Day
The Borroloola Show is held annually on the third Friday in August by the Borroloola Gulf Show Society Inc.
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