Australia and New Zealand to Mark 111th Anniversary on April 25

SYDNEY — Australians and New Zealanders will pause on Saturday, April 25, 2026, to observe Anzac Day, the solemn national day of remembrance marking the 111th anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landings at Gallipoli during World War I. The date falls on a weekend this year, triggering varied public holiday arrangements across states and territories while commemorative services proceed as usual on April 25.

Anzac Day remains a nationwide public holiday in Australia, recognized in all states and territories. Schools, government offices and most businesses close, though trading restrictions and exact observance rules differ by jurisdiction. In New Zealand, the day is also a statutory public holiday, with “Mondayisation” applying when it lands on a weekend.

Because April 25, 2026, is a Saturday, most Australians receive the holiday on that day. However, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia have declared an additional public holiday on Monday, April 27, creating a long weekend for many residents. Victoria observes only Saturday, April 25, with a half-day restricted trading period in some areas. Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory follow the Saturday observance without an extra weekday holiday.

In NSW, Premier Chris Minns announced the extra Monday holiday for both 2026 and 2027 to allow greater participation in remembrance activities while preserving April 25 as the fixed day of national commemoration. The ACT and WA traditionally provide the substitute day when Anzac Day falls on a weekend, and NSW has now aligned with that approach for these two years.

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra will host its traditional program on Saturday, April 25, beginning with pre-dawn activities at 4:30 a.m., followed by the Dawn Service from 5:30 to 6 a.m., an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Association ceremony at 7:30 a.m., and the National Commemorative Service from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., including the RSL ACT Branch Veterans’ March. The memorial opens to visitors at 1 p.m. with free entry and concludes with the Last Post Ceremony at 4:30 p.m.

Similar dawn services and marches will take place across the country. In Sydney, the Cenotaph at Martin Place hosts the main dawn service, often drawing large crowds that require early arrival. Adelaide’s South Australian National War Memorial on North Terrace will feature a youth vigil on Anzac Eve and a dawn service starting at 6 a.m. Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and other capital cities maintain long-standing traditions of dawn services at local war memorials, followed by marches and community events.

In New Zealand, the Wellington Dawn Service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park begins at 6 a.m. on April 25 and will be broadcast live on TVNZ 1 and RNZ National. Veterans assemble beforehand, with road closures in effect around the site. Auckland and other centers hold parallel services. Because the date falls on a Saturday, New Zealanders receive the following Monday, April 27, as the observed public holiday under Mondayisation rules introduced in 2014.

Anzac Day originated to honor the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who landed at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. The campaign, part of the broader Dardanelles operation in World War I, resulted in heavy casualties but came to symbolize courage, mateship and national identity for both nations. Over time, the observance expanded to commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in military operations, from World War II and Korea to Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and peacekeeping missions.

The day is marked by dawn services symbolizing the timing of the original landing, two-up games in some returned services league clubs (where permitted), marches by veterans and descendants, and reflective moments of silence. Poppies, rosemary and the phrase “Lest We Forget” remain central symbols. Many families attend local services or watch national broadcasts, while schools and community groups organize educational activities in the lead-up.

Retail trading on Anzac Day is heavily restricted. In most states, supermarkets, department stores and shopping centers remain closed, with only essential services such as pharmacies, service stations and small cafes allowed limited hours. Western Australia observes both Saturday and Monday as public holidays, while Victoria designates Saturday as a half-day restricted trading day in certain areas. Employers should consult Fair Work Ombudsman guidelines or state-specific rules for penalty rates and leave entitlements.

Public transport, including trains, buses and ferries, typically runs on a reduced or Sunday timetable on April 25. Road closures around memorial sites are common, and drivers are advised to check local traffic alerts closer to the date. Parking restrictions also apply in many city centers.

As the 111th anniversary approaches, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and returned services organizations encourage respectful participation. The focus remains on honoring service and sacrifice rather than turning the day into a general holiday. Organizers stress that while the extra Monday in some jurisdictions provides time for family and reflection, the core commemoration stays fixed on April 25.

Anzac Day also carries international dimensions. Australian and New Zealand embassies and consulates worldwide host services, including at Gallipoli itself, where Turkish authorities facilitate dawn ceremonies at Anzac Cove. Smaller events occur in the United States, United Kingdom and other nations with significant expatriate communities.

In 2026, the observance coincides with ongoing recognition of more recent conflicts. The Australian War Memorial and RSL branches continue programs highlighting service in Afghanistan and other operations, with some 2026 events already planned to mark related anniversaries later in the year.

For many Australians and New Zealanders, Anzac Day provides a moment of national unity. Whether attending a dawn service, watching televised ceremonies, or simply pausing for a minute’s silence, citizens reflect on the freedoms secured through military service and the enduring bonds between the two nations.

As April 25 draws nearer, communities are finalizing plans for services, marches and wreath-laying ceremonies. Those wishing to participate are encouraged to check local RSL or council websites for specific times and locations, as some events require early registration or have capacity limits.

The public holiday arrangements for 2026 highlight how states and territories balance solemn remembrance with practical considerations for workers and families. While the day of commemoration remains unchanged, the additional Monday holiday in NSW, ACT and WA offers many the chance for an extended weekend without diminishing the significance of April 25.

Anzac Day continues to evolve while preserving its core purpose: to remember and honor those who served and continue to serve. In 2026, as on every April 25, the words “Lest We Forget” will echo at memorials from Gallipoli to hometown cenotaphs across Australia and New Zealand.