Public Holidays Tasmania

*This public holiday is observed only in the Devonport region of Tasmania.

Held on the second Wednesday of January, the Devonport Cup has been celebrated in Tasmania since 1902, with only a short disruption during World War Two. The event welcomes over 6,500 visitors each year and is considered to be one of the premier races in Tasmania. Apart from the races themselves, competitions are held for the best dressed socialites with prizes going to the most elegantly dressed man and woman.

*This public holiday is observed only in the southern region of Tasmania.

Held on the second Monday each February, the Royal Hobart Regatta has been celebrated since 1838 and is Tasmania’s oldest sporting event. The Regatta runs for three days and hosts events in sailing, rowing, open water swimming, wood chopping, Jet Ski and dragon boat racing. The Regatta not only takes up the entire river for the duration of the event but also spreads out on land, with sideshow entertainment, amusement park rides, live music and firework displays over the long weekend.

*This public holiday is observed only in the Launceston and the surrounding regions in Tasmania and has further time restrictions for specific areas.

The Launceston Cup is held on the third Wednesday of each February and dates back to 1865. The Cup is classified as a Group 3 open handicap thoroughbred horse race run over a distance of 2,400 meters. 16,000 attendees witness the race each year, and partake in the food and drink marquees as well as compete for the cash and travel prizes that are awarded for the best dressed men and women.

*This public holiday is observed only in the King Island region of Tasmania.

The King Island Show is held in the first Tuesday of March each year to showcase the region’s agricultural, horticultural and pastoral accomplishments. The Show has been running since 1910 and the 2000 people living on the island welcome visitors from the mainland to showcase their wares in the various exhibitions and contests the Show holds. King Island is famous for the quality of their cheese and beef which form a large portion of the competitions, in addition to wool judging and horse riding displays.

Known as Labour Day in other states and territories, Eight Hour Day is the annual celebration of the modern eight hour working day, implemented in the 19th century. Prior to the 19th century, most labourers worked from ten to twelve hours up to six days a week. The public holiday recognises the workers who struggled to improve the working conditions for all Australians. Eight Hour Day advocates for the equal division of the twenty-four hours in a day into three parts, eight hours for work, recreation and rest respectively. Eight Hour Day is held on different days according to each state but is always held on a Monday, forming a long weekend every year.

*This public holiday is observed only by the state’s public sector in Tasmania.

Tasmania is the only state in Australia to observe the Tuesday after Easter as a public holiday. It is considered a trade-off day, as Easter Sunday is not recognised as a public holiday in the state. There is significant debate as to whether the public holiday should be removed from the calendar, or implemented across all working sectors in Tasmania. Many who do observe the holiday use the five days leave as an opportunity to travel interstate.

*This public holiday is observed only in the Circular Head region of Tasmania.

AGFEST has been held in Perth since 1983 at Symmons Plains. Run by the volunteer group, the Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania Inc. the field day has grown to attract over 60,000 visitors each year with over 750 exhibitions spread across the three day long weekend. Things to do and see include dairy exhibitions, horse jumping, four wheel driving, sheep dog trials and arts and craft exhibitions.

*This public holiday is observed only in the Burnie region of Tasmania.

Originating in 1913 the Burnie Show is held across the first Friday and Saturday of October, with over 12,000 visitors passing through the Show each year. The Show takes place at the Wivenhoe Showgrounds on Smith Street. The Show’s exhibitions showcase the best the region has to offer in categories such as produce, animals, home arts, cultural and commercial fields. Each year there are also carnival style rides, sideshow alley attractions, live music and food and drink vendors.

*This public holiday is observed only in the Launceston region of Tasmania.

The Royal National Agricultural and Pastoral Society of Tasmania Limited has held an agricultural show in Launceston since 1873. But it was only in 1984, that event was named The Royal Launceston Show. The Show is held across the Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but only the Thursday is a public holiday. The Show holds events such as livestock judging, equestrian events, animal breeders competitions, produce competitions and wood chopping. But it also includes live entertainment, fashion shows and a variety of food stalls for visitors to enjoy across the three days.

*This public holiday is observed only in the Flinders Island region of Tasmania.

The Flinders Island Show is held on the third Friday of October each year and is primarily a demonstration of the best the Island has to offer in agriculture, but offers many other attractions as well. The most popular sporting events are the equestrian and wood chopping competitions, while the exhibitions showcase local produce, cooking and other home goods. There is also a variety of carnival style attractions, from merry-go-rounds, jumping castles and arcade style games. While the island only has a population of 900, visitors from the main island of Tasmania make the Flinders Island Show one of the most popular events of the year.

*This public holiday is observed only in Hobart and the surrounding region in Tasmania.

Held on the last Thursday of October, the public holiday is held in honour of the Royal Hobart Show which has been celebrated since 1822. Stretching across four days, Wednesday through to Saturday, the show is the largest of the Royal Shows held in the state and is often compared to the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The Show boasts a wide range of attractions from livestock competitions and judging to carnival rides and games.

*This public holiday is observed only in the northern region of Tasmania.

Recreation Day is held on the first Monday of November in the northern regions of Tasmania to offset Regatta Day which is held in the southern regions earlier in the year. There has been much dispute over whether the two public holidays should be aligned. There is no historical or cultural significance to the day and most citizens use the day as a means of relaxation and pleasure.

*This public holiday is observed only in the Devonport region of Tasmania.

The public holiday is held on the final Friday of November to celebrate the Devonport Show held across the Friday and Saturday. The Show has been celebrated since 1907 on the Devonport Showgrounds. The Show offers a variety of attractions from carnival rides, fireworks and fashion parades. In 2017, the Show society announced that the Devonport Show would not be held in 2018, however the state has still listed the Friday as a public holiday for the region.