Victoria public holidays in 2026 include national holidays such as New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, ANZAC Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, plus Victorian holidays such as Labour Day, the King’s Birthday, Melbourne Cup Day and the Friday before the AFL Grand Final.
This page lists the official 2026 Victorian public holiday dates, long weekends, school holiday overlaps, restricted trading notes and planning tips for travel, events and family activities in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Important: Public holiday dates are published by the Victorian Government but can be subject to change. The Friday before the AFL Grand Final is listed for Friday 25 September 2026, but always check closer to the date for final AFL confirmation.
Contents
2026 Calendar Full official Victorian public holiday table.
Long Weekends Best dates for short breaks and travel.
School Holidays Public holidays that overlap with school breaks.
Trading Restrictions Good Friday, ANZAC Day and Christmas trading notes.
Travel Planning When to book accommodation and activities.
FAQs ANZAC Day, Melbourne Cup and Boxing Day answers.
Victoria Public Holidays 2026 at a Glance
Victoria has public holidays in January, March, April, June, September, November and December in 2026, with the main long-weekend opportunities around Australia Day, Labour Day, Easter, King’s Birthday, Grand Final Eve and Christmas.
| Date | Day | Public Holiday | Planning Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | National public holiday |
| 26 January 2026 | Monday | Australia Day | Creates a long weekend |
| 9 March 2026 | Monday | Labour Day | Victorian long weekend |
| 3 April 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Restricted trading day |
| 4 April 2026 | Saturday | Saturday before Easter Sunday | Easter weekend |
| 5 April 2026 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Easter weekend |
| 6 April 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | Part of Easter long weekend |
| 25 April 2026 | Saturday | ANZAC Day | No substitute public holiday in Victoria |
| 8 June 2026 | Monday | King’s Birthday | Winter long weekend |
| 25 September 2026 | Friday | Friday before the AFL Grand Final | Subject to AFL schedule confirmation |
| 3 November 2026 | Tuesday | Melbourne Cup Day | Statewide, but some regional substitutions may apply |
| 25 December 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Restricted trading day |
| 26 December 2026 | Saturday | Boxing Day | Public holiday falls on Saturday |
| 28 December 2026 | Monday | Additional Boxing Day Holiday | Observed because Boxing Day falls on Saturday |
Key Notes for Victoria in 2026
The key things to know are that Victoria does not get a substitute day for ANZAC Day in 2026, Boxing Day creates an extra Monday holiday, and Melbourne Cup Day may be substituted in some regional areas.
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day falls on Saturday 25 April 2026. Victoria does not provide a substitute public holiday.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December, so Monday 28 December is an additional public holiday.
Melbourne Cup Day
Melbourne Cup Day is Tuesday 3 November, but regional councils may substitute another local holiday.
Grand Final Eve
The Friday before the AFL Grand Final is listed for 25 September, subject to final AFL scheduling.
Victoria Long Weekends in 2026
The main Victorian long weekends in 2026 are Australia Day, Labour Day, Easter, King’s Birthday, Grand Final Eve and Christmas.
| Long Weekend | Dates | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Day | Saturday 24 – Monday 26 January | Summer beach trips, regional weekends and outdoor events |
| Labour Day | Saturday 7 – Monday 9 March | Late-summer travel, festivals and short breaks |
| Easter | Friday 3 – Monday 6 April | Family trips, regional Victoria and school holiday travel |
| King’s Birthday | Saturday 6 – Monday 8 June | Winter getaways and indoor Melbourne activities |
| Grand Final Eve | Friday 25 – Sunday 27 September | Footy events, spring activities and school holiday plans |
| Christmas | Friday 25 – Monday 28 December | Christmas events, summer holidays and family travel |
Planning tip: Easter, Grand Final Eve and Christmas are usually the most competitive periods for accommodation, regional travel and family activities. Book earlier than usual if you are travelling outside Melbourne.
Public Holidays That Overlap With School Holidays
In 2026, Easter and Grand Final Eve are the most useful public holiday overlaps with Victorian school holidays.
Easter falls immediately after Term 1 ends, making the April break one of the busiest travel windows for families. Grand Final Eve falls during the September school holidays, creating another strong family activity and short-break period.
| Public Holiday | School Holiday Connection | Planning Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Good Friday / Easter Monday | Start of autumn school holidays | High demand for family travel and accommodation |
| King’s Birthday | During Term 2 | Useful winter long weekend before school holidays |
| Grand Final Eve | During spring school holidays | Good for Melbourne events and family activities |
| Christmas / Boxing Day | During summer school holidays | Peak summer travel period |
For exact term breaks, see our VIC School Holidays 2026 page. If you are planning family activities, also check our things to do in Melbourne with kids page.
Best Public Holidays for Travel in Victoria in 2026
The best public holidays for travel in Victoria in 2026 are Easter, Labour Day, King’s Birthday, Grand Final Eve and Christmas, depending on whether you want summer, winter, family or event-based travel.
Best for Summer Trips
Australia Day and Christmas are best for beaches, coastal towns and outdoor events.
Best for Family Travel
Easter and Christmas overlap strongly with school holiday planning.
Best for Winter Breaks
King’s Birthday is useful for regional stays, snow trips and indoor Melbourne activities.
Best for Melbourne Events
Grand Final Eve and Melbourne Cup Day create strong event-based travel demand.
Trading Restrictions on Victorian Public Holidays
Some Victorian public holidays have trading restrictions, especially Good Friday, ANZAC Day before 1pm, and Christmas Day.
Retail trading rules can vary by business type, location and exemption status. Major supermarkets, shopping centres, attractions, restaurants and event venues may operate different hours, so always check directly before travelling.
Visitor warning: Good Friday and Christmas Day are the most likely days for reduced opening hours. ANZAC Day morning can also affect retail and attraction opening times.
Melbourne Public Transport on Public Holidays
Melbourne public transport usually runs to a public holiday timetable on public holidays, so trains, trams and buses may operate less frequently than on regular weekdays.
If you are travelling to events, the airport, regional Victoria or family activities, check public transport timetables before leaving.
If you are planning transport around Melbourne, use our Free Tram Zone guide and Myki fare calculator before travelling.
Do All Victorian Regions Observe Melbourne Cup Day?
Melbourne Cup Day is generally a public holiday across Victoria, but some regional areas may observe a different local public holiday instead.
This matters if you are travelling regionally or planning business hours outside Melbourne. Check the local council or business directly if your plans depend on Melbourne Cup Day trading or opening hours.
Common Mistakes When Planning Around Public Holidays
The most common mistakes are assuming ANZAC Day has a substitute holiday, forgetting regional Melbourne Cup substitutions, booking Easter too late, and not checking public holiday opening hours.
Expecting ANZAC Monday
Victoria does not provide a substitute public holiday for ANZAC Day in 2026.
Ignoring Regional Rules
Some regional areas may substitute Melbourne Cup Day with another local holiday.
Booking Easter Late
Easter overlaps with school holidays, making accommodation and attractions busier.
Forgetting Opening Hours
Good Friday, ANZAC morning and Christmas Day can affect venue trading.
FAQs
How many public holidays does Victoria have in 2026?
Victoria has 14 listed public holiday dates in 2026, including the additional Monday holiday for Boxing Day.
Will Victoria get a substitute public holiday for ANZAC Day in 2026?
No. ANZAC Day falls on Saturday 25 April 2026, and Victoria does not provide a substitute public holiday.
When is Easter in Victoria in 2026?
Easter in Victoria in 2026 runs from Good Friday on 3 April to Easter Monday on 6 April.
When is the AFL Grand Final Eve public holiday in 2026?
The Friday before the AFL Grand Final public holiday is listed for Friday 25 September 2026, subject to AFL schedule confirmation.
Is Melbourne Cup Day a public holiday across all of Victoria?
Melbourne Cup Day is generally a public holiday across Victoria, although some regional councils may substitute a different local public holiday.
Why is Monday 28 December 2026 a public holiday?
Monday 28 December 2026 is an additional public holiday because Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December.
Are shops open on public holidays in Victoria?
Many shops open on some public holidays, but Good Friday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day have stronger trading restrictions and reduced opening hours.
Final Planning Tip
The best way to use Victoria public holidays in 2026 is to combine official dates with school holiday dates, transport timetables and event calendars before booking travel or activities.
The highest-demand periods will likely be Easter, Grand Final weekend, Melbourne Cup Day and Christmas. For families, the most important overlap is Easter with the Term 1 school holidays.