NT Public Holidays 2026 & 2027
Every public holiday in the Northern Territory for 2026 and 2027 — Picnic Day, May Day, part-day holidays, regional Show Days and answers to every specific question.
NT Public Holidays 2026
All 15 declared public holiday dates in the Northern Territory for 2026, including the two part-day holidays on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, sourced from the NT Government. Regional Show Day holidays are covered separately below.
Notes: Anzac Day falls on a Saturday in 2026 — the Northern Territory does not declare a substitute Monday. Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, so Monday 28 December is an additional public holiday. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are part-day holidays from 7pm to midnight only. Source: NT Government and Fair Work Ombudsman.
NT Public Holidays 2027
All 16 declared public holiday dates in the Northern Territory for 2027. Anzac Day falls on a Sunday, so the NT public holiday moves to Monday 26 April. Source: NT Government.
2027 note: Anzac Day falls on Sunday 25 April 2027, so in the Northern Territory the public holiday moves to Monday 26 April. The Sunday itself is not a public holiday. Christmas Day (Saturday) and Boxing Day (Sunday) trigger additional public holidays on Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December respectively, following the standard national pattern. Source: NT Government.
NT Regional Show Day Holidays
Beyond the territory-wide dates above, the Northern Territory has five regions that each observe their own annual Show Day public holiday — genuinely similar to Tasmania's regional system.
| Region | Typical timing | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Darwin Show Day | Late July / early August (date set annually) | Darwin region businesses and employees |
| Alice Springs Show Day | Early July (date set annually) | Alice Springs region businesses and employees |
| Katherine Show Day | Mid-July (date set annually) | Katherine region businesses and employees |
| Tennant Creek Show Day | Late June / early July (date set annually) | Tennant Creek region businesses and employees |
| Nhulunbuy (Gove) Show Day | Mid-July (date set annually) | Nhulunbuy region businesses and employees |
NT Long Weekends 2026 & 2027
Plan ahead with these Northern Territory long weekends — based on territory-wide public holidays only.
2026 Long Weekends
Easter
Full 4-day long weekend
May Day
King's Birthday
Picnic Day
Christmas–New Year
+ 1 Jan 2027 (New Year's Day, Friday)
Anzac Day
Single-day only — no NT substitute
2027 Long Weekends
Easter
May Day
King's Birthday
Picnic Day
Christmas–New Year
4 days — Mon & Tue additional public holidays
Anzac Day
Holiday moves to Monday 26 April
NT Public Holiday Questions — Quick Answers
Direct answers to the most common public holiday questions for the Northern Territory.
What is Picnic Day?
A public holiday unique to the NT, on the first Monday in August, dating back to the late 1800s when railway employees held an annual picnic at Adelaide River. In 2026: Monday 3 August.
✓ NT-exclusiveWhat is May Day in the NT?
The NT's equivalent of Labour Day, on the first Monday in May. Commemorates the eight-hour working day. In 2026: Monday 4 May. In 2027: Monday 3 May.
✓ NT's Labour DayDoes the NT get a Monday off if Anzac Day is on a weekend?
Only when it falls on a Sunday. The holiday then moves to the Monday, so in 2027 the NT Anzac Day holiday is Monday 26 April. When Anzac Day is on a Saturday, as in 2026, there is no Monday off.
⚑ Sunday onlyIs Christmas Eve a public holiday in the NT?
Yes, but only a part-day holiday from 7pm to midnight — the same arrangement as South Australia. Normal trading hours apply during the day.
⚑ Part-day onlyDoes the NT observe Easter Saturday and Sunday?
Yes, both are full public holidays in the NT — matching NSW, SA and ACT. This differs from QLD, WA and TAS, which don't gazette these as territory-wide.
✓ Yes — both daysDoes the whole NT get the same Show Day holiday?
No. There are five NT regions (Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Nhulunbuy), each with their own Show Day on a different date. It's genuinely region-specific, like Tasmania.
✗ Region-specific, not uniformIs New Year's Eve a public holiday in the NT?
Yes, as a part-day holiday from 7pm to midnight — the same as Christmas Eve. This matches South Australia's arrangement.
⚑ Part-day onlyHow many public holidays does the NT have per year?
15 declared dates in 2026, including the two part-day holidays. This includes territory-wide dates only — regional Show Days add further location-specific days.
15 in 2026Is King's Birthday the same date as NSW in the NT?
Yes. The NT observes King's Birthday on the second Monday in June, identical to NSW, SA, TAS and ACT. In 2026: Monday 8 June. In 2027: Monday 14 June.
✓ Same as other eastern statesWhat is the legal basis for NT public holidays?
The Public Holidays Act 1981 (NT), which governs both territory-wide dates and the framework for regional Show Day holidays.
Public Holidays Act 1981How NT Public Holidays Affect Annual Leave
Important rules every Northern Territory employee and employer needs to know about public holidays and leave periods.
Example: An employee in Darwin takes 1 week of annual leave from Monday 27 July to Friday 7 August 2026. Picnic Day falls on Monday 3 August 2026, within this period. The employee's annual leave balance is debited for 4 working days (not 5), because Picnic Day is deducted as a public holiday, not annual leave.
Like Tasmania, the NT's regional Show Day system means the same leave period can be debited differently depending on which region an employee is based in — always confirm your specific region's Show Day date before finalising leave plans around it.
Working on an NT public holiday?
Most modern awards pay 225%–250% for public holiday work. Calculate your exact penalty rate for any NT public holiday — including Picnic Day and May Day.
Public Holiday Rights for NT Workers
Your entitlements under the Fair Work Act 2009 and Public Holidays Act 1981 (NT) when it comes to public holidays.
Right to be absent
Under Section 114 of the Fair Work Act 2009, you have the right to be absent from work on a public holiday. An employer can request you work, but you may refuse if the request is unreasonable.
Right to ordinary pay
Under Section 116 of the Fair Work Act, if you are absent on a public holiday, you are entitled to be paid your ordinary rate. Your employer cannot dock pay or require you to use annual leave to cover a public holiday you didn't work.
Penalty rates for working
If you work on an NT public holiday, your modern award or enterprise agreement sets the penalty rate. Most awards pay 225% (double time and a quarter) or 250% (double time and a half). Use the Public Holiday Rate Calculator to check yours.
Annual leave protection
If a public holiday falls within your approved annual leave period, that day cannot be deducted from your leave balance. Your employer must substitute a leave day or extend your leave by the same number of public holidays in the period (Fair Work Act s.116).
What happens when an NT public holiday falls on a weekend?
| Holiday | If falls on Saturday | If falls on Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day (1 Jan) | Additional public holiday declared | Additional public holiday declared |
| Australia Day (26 Jan) | No PH on Sat — following Monday is the public holiday instead | No PH on Sun — following Monday is the public holiday instead |
| Anzac Day (25 Apr) | No substitute — Saturday 25 April is the holiday | Moves to Monday 26 April (the Sunday is not a public holiday) |
| Christmas Day (25 Dec) | Additional public holiday on Monday 27 Dec | Additional public holiday on Tuesday 27 Dec (Monday 26 Dec is Boxing Day) |
| Boxing Day (26 Dec) | Additional public holiday on Monday 28 Dec | Additional public holiday on Tuesday 28 Dec (Monday 27 Dec is the extra Christmas Day holiday) |
These rules are set by the Public Holidays Act 1981 (NT). Always verify against the NT Government or the Fair Work Ombudsman before rostering or planning.
NT Public Holidays — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to every specific public holiday question for the Northern Territory.
What are the NT public holidays in 2026?
The 2026 NT public holidays are: New Year's Day (Thu 1 Jan), Australia Day (Mon 26 Jan), Good Friday (Fri 3 Apr), Easter Saturday (Sat 4 Apr), Easter Sunday (Sun 5 Apr), Easter Monday (Mon 6 Apr), Anzac Day (Sat 25 Apr, no substitute), May Day (Mon 4 May), King's Birthday (Mon 8 Jun), Picnic Day (Mon 3 Aug), Christmas Eve part-day (Thu 24 Dec, 7pm-midnight), Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec), Boxing Day (Sat 26 Dec, with additional PH Mon 28 Dec), and New Year's Eve part-day (Thu 31 Dec, 7pm-midnight). Regional Show Days apply by location. Source: NT Government.
What is Picnic Day in the Northern Territory?
A public holiday unique to the NT, observed on the first Monday in August. Dates back to the late 1800s, when railway employees held annual Union Picnic Days at Adelaide River. In 2026: Monday 3 August. In 2027: Monday 2 August.
What is May Day in the Northern Territory?
The NT's equivalent of Labour Day, on the first Monday in May, commemorating the eight-hour working day. In 2026: Monday 4 May. In 2027: Monday 3 May.
Does the NT get a substitute holiday when Anzac Day falls on a weekend?
Only when it falls on a Sunday. If Anzac Day is on a Saturday (as in 2026), there is no substitute day. If it falls on a Sunday, the public holiday moves to the Monday, so in 2027 the NT Anzac Day holiday is Monday 26 April, not Sunday 25 April.
Are Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve public holidays in the NT?
Yes, but only as part-day holidays, from 7pm to midnight — matching South Australia's arrangement. Normal daytime trading hours apply.
Does the NT have regional public holidays?
Yes. Five NT regions (Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Nhulunbuy) each observe their own annual Show Day holiday, applying only within that specific region — similar to Tasmania's regional holiday system.
Public holidays in other states and territories
Each state and territory sets its own public holidays. Compare the 2026 and 2027 dates.