Northern Territory holidays 2027

Northern Territory has 17 public holidays in 2027: 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.

Per Australia and Northern Territory legislation.

National public holidays observed in Northern Territory

DateDayHolidayObservedNotes
Jan 1FriNew Year's Day National public holiday—
Jan 26TueAustralia Day National public holiday—
Mar 26FriGood Friday National public holiday—
Mar 29MonEaster Monday National public holiday—
Apr 25SunAnzac Day National public holidayMon, Apr 26
Jun 14MonKing's Birthday National public holiday—
Dec 25SatChristmas Day National public holidayMon, Dec 27
Dec 26SunBoxing Day National public holidayTue, 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.

DateDayHolidayObservedNotes
Mar 27SatEaster Saturday State/territory holiday—
Mar 28SunEaster Sunday State/territory holiday—Public holiday since 2024.
May 3MonMay Day State/territory holiday—
Jul 2FriAlice Springs Show Day State/territory holiday—Alice Springs area only.
Jul 9FriTennant Creek Show Day State/territory holiday—Tennant Creek area only.
Jul 16FriKatherine Show Day State/territory holiday—Katherine area only.
Jul 23FriDarwin Show Day State/territory holiday—Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield area only.
Aug 2MonPicnic Day State/territory holiday—
Aug 13FriBorroloola 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.

DateDayHolidayObservedNotes
Dec 24FriChristmas Eve (part-day, 7pm to midnight) State/territory holiday—Part-day public holiday 7pm to midnight (since 2016).
Dec 31FriNew Year's Eve (part-day, 7pm to midnight) State/territory holiday—Part-day public holiday 7pm to midnight (since 2016).

Observances (not days off)

DateDayHolidayObservedNotes
Feb 14SunValentine's Day Observance—
Mar 21SunHarmony Week / Harmony Day Observance—
May 9SunMother's Day Observance—
Jul 4SunNAIDOC Week (first day) Observance—
Sep 5SunFather's Day Observance—
Oct 31SunHalloween Observance—
Nov 11ThuRemembrance Day Observance—

Long weekends in Northern Territory, 2027

3-day weekend Fri, Jan 1 – Sun, Jan 3
New Year's Day (Friday)
Add Thursday, Dec 31, 2026 for a 4-day break.
Bridge opportunity Tue, Jan 26
Australia Day (Tuesday)
Take Monday, Jan 25 off for a 4-day break.
4-day weekend Fri, Mar 26 – Mon, Mar 29
Good Friday (Friday) Easter Saturday (Saturday) Easter Sunday (Sunday) Easter Monday (Monday)
No leave needed.
3-day weekend Sat, Apr 24 – Mon, Apr 26
Anzac Day (Monday, observed)
Add Tuesday, Apr 27 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Sat, May 1 – Mon, May 3
May Day (Monday)
Add Tuesday, May 4 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Sat, Jun 12 – Mon, Jun 14
King's Birthday (Monday)
Add Tuesday, Jun 15 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Fri, Jul 2 – Sun, Jul 4
Alice Springs Show Day (Friday)
Add Thursday, Jul 1 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Fri, Jul 9 – Sun, Jul 11
Tennant Creek Show Day (Friday)
Add Thursday, Jul 8 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Fri, Jul 16 – Sun, Jul 18
Katherine Show Day (Friday)
Add Thursday, Jul 15 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Fri, Jul 23 – Sun, Jul 25
Darwin Show Day (Friday)
Add Thursday, Jul 22 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Sat, Jul 31 – Mon, Aug 2
Picnic Day (Monday)
Add Tuesday, Aug 3 for a 4-day break.
3-day weekend Fri, Aug 13 – Sun, Aug 15
Borroloola Show Day (Friday)
Add Thursday, Aug 12 for a 4-day break.
4-day weekend Sat, Dec 25 – Tue, Dec 28
Christmas Day (Monday, observed) Boxing Day (Tuesday, observed)
No leave needed.

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 2027?

Northern Territory has 17 public holidays in 2027: 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 New Year's Day on Friday, January 1, 2027 (60 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.

Other states and territories