Northern Territory holidays 2026
Northern Territory has 17 public holidays in 2026: 8 national public holidays and 9 Northern Territory-specific holidays, plus 2 optional or partial-staffing days. Dates below show the actual date and, where a holiday falls on a weekend, the day it is observed.
National public holidays observed in Northern Territory
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day National public holiday | — | |
| Jan 26 | Mon | Australia Day National public holiday | — | |
| Apr 3 | Fri | Good Friday National public holiday | — | |
| Apr 6 | Mon | Easter Monday National public holiday | — | |
| Apr 25 | Sat | Anzac Day National public holiday | — | |
| Jun 8 | Mon | King's Birthday National public holiday | — | |
| Dec 25 | Fri | Christmas Day National public holiday | — | |
| Dec 26 | Sat | Boxing Day National public holiday | Mon, Dec 28 |
Dates computed from the governing statutes and last verified October 3, 2026. Years beyond officially published schedules are projected from the rule that sets the date.
Holidays only in Northern Territory
Public holidays in Northern Territory that the rest of Australia does not share.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 4 | Sat | Easter Saturday State/territory holiday | — | |
| Apr 5 | Sun | Easter Sunday State/territory holiday | — | Public holiday since 2024. |
| May 4 | Mon | May Day State/territory holiday | — | |
| Jul 3 | Fri | Alice Springs Show Day State/territory holiday | — | Alice Springs area only. |
| Jul 10 | Fri | Tennant Creek Show Day State/territory holiday | — | Tennant Creek area only. |
| Jul 17 | Fri | Katherine Show Day State/territory holiday | — | Katherine area only. |
| Jul 24 | Fri | Darwin Show Day State/territory holiday | — | Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield area only. |
| Aug 3 | Mon | Picnic Day State/territory holiday | — | |
| Aug 14 | Fri | Borroloola Show Day State/territory holiday | — | Borroloola area only. |
Optional and partial-staffing holidays
Days Northern Territory recognizes in law but where offices stay open with reduced staff, employees may choose the day, or the holiday depends on an annual proclamation.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24 | Thu | Christmas Eve (part-day, 7pm to midnight) State/territory holiday | — | Part-day public holiday 7pm to midnight (since 2016). |
| Dec 31 | Thu | New Year's Eve (part-day, 7pm to midnight) State/territory holiday | — | Part-day public holiday 7pm to midnight (since 2016). |
Observances (not days off)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 14 | Sat | Valentine's Day Observance | — | |
| Mar 21 | Sat | Harmony Week / Harmony Day Observance | — | |
| May 10 | Sun | Mother's Day Observance | — | |
| Jul 5 | Sun | NAIDOC Week (first day) Observance | — | |
| Sep 6 | Sun | Father's Day Observance | — | |
| Oct 31 | Sat | Halloween Observance | — | |
| Nov 11 | Wed | Remembrance Day Observance | — |
Long weekends in Northern Territory, 2026
What closes
Government offices, courts and most schools close on the public holidays above. Shops usually open with reduced hours, subject to local trading rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Northern Territory have in 2026?
Northern Territory has 17 public holidays in 2026: 8 national public holidays plus 9 Northern Territory-specific holidays (Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, May Day, Alice Springs Show Day, Tennant Creek Show Day, Katherine Show Day, Darwin Show Day, Picnic Day, Borroloola Show Day). Another 2 days are optional or partial-staffing holidays.
What is the next holiday in Northern Territory?
The next holiday in Northern Territory is Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, 2026 (53 days away).
Are Northern Territory holidays the same as the rest of Australia?
Mostly. Northern Territory observes the national public holidays shared across Australia, plus its own: Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, May Day, Alice Springs Show Day, Tennant Creek Show Day, Katherine Show Day, Darwin Show Day, Picnic Day, Borroloola Show Day. Other states and territories have different regional days, so check the page for the state you need.