Boxing Day 2026 Australia
Boxing Day on 26 December is a national public holiday, often extending the Christmas break.
National HolidayBoxing Day 2026 by State
| State | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| NSWNew South Wales | 26 December 2026 | Saturday |
| VICVictoria | 26 December 2026 | Saturday |
| QLDQueensland | 26 December 2026 | Saturday |
| WAWestern Australia | 26 December 2026 | Saturday |
| TASTasmania | 26 December 2026 | Saturday |
| NTNorthern Territory | 26 December 2026 | Saturday |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | 26 December 2026 | Saturday |
Boxing Day Dates in 2026
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Boxing Day | 26 December 2026 | Saturday |
| Boxing Day (observed) | 28 December 2026 | Monday |
History
Boxing Day on 26 December originated as a day when servants and tradespeople would receive gifts from their employers. In Australia, it has evolved into the biggest shopping day of the year, with major sales across retail and online.
How Australians Celebrate
The Boxing Day sales are an institution in Australian retail, with shoppers queuing before dawn at major department stores. It's also the start of the Boxing Day Test cricket match at the MCG in Melbourne, drawing crowds of over 70,000 and watched by millions on television.
Boxing Day in Other Years
2024
26 Dec (Thu)
2025
26 Dec (Fri)
2026
26 Dec (Sat)
2027
26 Dec (Sun)