Picnic Day 2026 in Australia
Picnic Day 2026 in Australia is on
Monday, August 3, 2026
91 days ago
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About Picnic Day 2026
Picnic Day 2026 falls on Monday, August 3. It lands on a Monday, so 2026 brings a three-day weekend from Saturday, August 1.
Picnic Day is a public holiday in Australia's Northern Territory on the first Monday in August. Born from railway workers' annual picnic outings, it now anchors a winter long weekend of races, community picnics and the Darwin Cup carnival.
Picnic Day in other years
| Year | Date | Day | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | August 3, 2026 | Monday | — |
| 2027 | August 2, 2027 | Monday | — |
Holidays after Picnic Day 2026
- Dec 25, 2026 Christmas Day 2026 (Friday)
- Dec 26, 2026 Boxing Day 2026 (Saturday)
- Jan 1, 2027 New Year's Day 2027 (Friday)
- Jan 26, 2027 Australia Day 2027 (Tuesday)
- Mar 26, 2027 Good Friday 2027 (Friday)
Other holidays in August 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 3 | Mon | Bank Holiday | State/territory holiday |
| Aug 12 | Wed | Royal Queensland Show Day (Brisbane) | State/territory holiday |
| Aug 14 | Fri | Borroloola Show Day | State/territory holiday |
Quick facts
- Date in 2026
- Monday, August 3, 2026
- Date rule
- First Monday in August
- Legal status
- Public holiday in the Northern Territory only
- Origins
- Annual railway workers' picnics at Adelaide River, revived in 1936 after a decade-long lapse
- Season
- The Top End's dry season — the NT's prime time for outdoor events
- Signature events
- Darwin Cup race day and the Harts Range bush races near Alice Springs
Frequently asked questions
What day is Picnic Day in 2026?
Picnic Day 2026 is on Monday, August 3, 2026.
Is Picnic Day a day off in 2026?
Picnic Day is a state/territory holiday in the states and territories that observe it, so government offices close. Private employers decide for themselves.
How many days until Picnic Day 2026?
Picnic Day 2026 was 91 days ago, on August 3, 2026.