NT Public Holidays

Known as Labour Day in other states and territories in Australia, 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.

*This public holiday is observed only in the Alice Springs region of the Northern Territory.

Celebrated since 1960, 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, photographic and cooking contests, carnival-style rides and firework displays. Each year, 18,000 people travel to the territory's largest agricultural show.

*This public holiday is observed only in the Tennant Creek region of the Northern Territory.

Held on the second Friday in July, 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.

*This public holiday is observed only in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory.

The Katherine Show Day has been held on the third Friday of July each year since 1965. There are several large competitions with prizes in 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. Each year there is an average of 3,000 entries in the showcase competitions. The day concludes with a firework display on Saturday night.

*This public holiday is observed only in Darwin and the surrounding region in the Northern Territory.

The Darwin Show is the oldest show day in the Northern Territory, dating back to 1952. It acts as a demonstration of Darwin's agriculture, livestock, trade and industries.

More than 20,000 locals and visitors arrive to compete in over 24 sections of competitions each year, ranging from stud cattle and arts and crafts to horticulture and photography.

The popular theory related to Picnic Day originated as a holiday for railway workers; to be able to picnic at the Adelaide River back in the late 1800s.

The Harts Range Races began in 1946, which were so popular that they inspired an annual race and an official public holiday to celebrate them properly. The races are still held today, on Picnic Day in Harts Ranges, north of Alice Springs, featuring bull rides and children's competitions.

*This public holiday is observed only in the Borroloola region of the Northern Territory.

The Borroloola Show originated in 1967 and is one of the smallest in the country. It draws in over 1000 guests from surrounding areas, doubling the town’s population.