South Australia holidays 2026
South Australia has 12 public holidays in 2026: 7 national public holidays and 5 South Australia-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 South Australia
| 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 | — | No substitute day since the Public Holidays Act 2023 took effect on 1 January 2024; the old Holidays Act 1910 had given the Monday after a Sunday Anzac Day. |
| Jun 8 | Mon | King's Birthday National public holiday | — | |
| Dec 25 | Fri | Christmas Day National public holiday | — |
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 South Australia
Public holidays in South Australia that the rest of Australia does not share.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 9 | Mon | Adelaide Cup Day State/territory holiday | — | |
| Apr 4 | Sat | Easter Saturday State/territory holiday | — | |
| Apr 5 | Sun | Easter Sunday State/territory holiday | — | Public holiday since 2024. |
| Oct 5 | Mon | Labour Day State/territory holiday | — | |
| Dec 26 | Sat | Proclamation Day State/territory holiday | Mon, Dec 28 |
Optional and partial-staffing holidays
Days South Australia 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 2012). |
| Dec 31 | Thu | New Year's Eve (part-day, 7pm to midnight) State/territory holiday | — | Part-day public holiday 7pm to midnight (since 2012). |
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 South Australia, 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 South Australia have in 2026?
South Australia has 12 public holidays in 2026: 7 national public holidays plus 5 South Australia-specific holidays (Adelaide Cup Day, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, Labour Day, Proclamation Day). Another 2 days are optional or partial-staffing holidays.
What is the next holiday in South Australia?
The next holiday in South Australia is Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, 2026 (53 days away).
Are South Australia holidays the same as the rest of Australia?
Mostly. South Australia observes the national public holidays shared across Australia, plus its own: Adelaide Cup Day, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, Labour Day, Proclamation Day. Other states and territories have different regional days, so check the page for the state you need.