Christmas in Australia is the start of summer, and the end of 2026 is kind to it. Christmas Day is a Friday, and because 26 December is a Saturday, the Boxing Day holiday moves to Monday 28 December 2026. With New Year's Day on Friday 1 January 2027, very little leave goes a long way.
Book off: Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026.
Bank holidayBook offWeekend
Every option, from 1 to 8 days of leave
| Days of leave | Days off in a row | Dates | Book off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Thu 24 Dec – Mon 28 Dec 2026 | Thu 24 Dec 2026 |
| 2 | 6 | Wed 23 Dec – Mon 28 Dec 2026 | Wed 23 and Thu 24 Dec 2026 |
| 3 | 10 | Fri 25 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 4 | 11 | Thu 24 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Thu 24, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 5 | 12 | Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Wed 23, Thu 24, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 6 | 13 | Tue 22 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Tue 22, Wed 23, Thu 24, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 7 | 16 | Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Mon 21, Tue 22, Wed 23, Thu 24, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 8 | 17 | Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Fri 18, Mon 21, Tue 22, Wed 23, Thu 24, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
Australia, Christmas 2026 and New Year 2027.
With a little more leave, book 8 days off (Fri 18, Mon 21, Tue 22, Wed 23, Thu 24, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026) and get 17 days off in a row (Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027).
Christmas shutdowns
Many businesses close between Christmas and New Year. If your award or registered agreement allows it, your employer can direct you to take annual leave during a shutdown, with notice. If you do not have enough leave, the rules depend on your award. Check the Fair Work guidance on annual leave and your own award before you book the same days for a trip.
When a public holiday falls during your leave, on a day you would normally work, it is not taken from your annual leave. So your leave only covers the workdays in the table.
State differences
South Australia calls the 26 December holiday Proclamation Day. Some states and territories also have part-day holidays on the evenings of Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. These do not change the days you need to book, but check your state's dates for the rest of the summer.
Christmas 2027: a look ahead
In 2027, Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a weekend, so the holidays move to the Monday and Tuesday after:
| Days of leave | Days off in a row | Dates | Book off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Fri 24 Dec – Tue 28 Dec 2027 | Fri 24 Dec 2027 |
| 2 | 6 | Thu 23 Dec – Tue 28 Dec 2027 | Thu 23 and Fri 24 Dec 2027 |
| 3 | 10 | Sat 25 Dec 2027 – Mon 3 Jan 2028 | Wed 29, Thu 30 and Fri 31 Dec 2027 |
| 4 | 11 | Fri 24 Dec 2027 – Mon 3 Jan 2028 | Fri 24, Wed 29, Thu 30 and Fri 31 Dec 2027 |
| 5 | 12 | Thu 23 Dec 2027 – Mon 3 Jan 2028 | Thu 23, Fri 24, Wed 29, Thu 30 and Fri 31 Dec 2027 |
| 6 | 13 | Wed 22 Dec 2027 – Mon 3 Jan 2028 | Wed 22, Thu 23, Fri 24, Wed 29, Thu 30 and Fri 31 Dec 2027 |
| 7 | 16 | Sat 25 Dec 2027 – Sun 9 Jan 2028 | Wed 29, Thu 30 and Fri 31 Dec 2027 and Tue 4, Wed 5, Thu 6 and Fri 7 Jan 2028 |
| 8 | 17 | Sat 18 Dec 2027 – Mon 3 Jan 2028 | Mon 20, Tue 21, Wed 22, Thu 23, Fri 24, Wed 29, Thu 30 and Fri 31 Dec 2027 |
Australia, Christmas 2027 and New Year 2028.
Frequently asked questions
How much leave do I need for Christmas 2026 in Australia?
The best value is to book 3 days off (Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026) and get 10 days off in a row.
Can my employer make me take leave over Christmas?
If your award or registered agreement allows a shutdown, your employer can direct you to take annual leave for it, with notice. Otherwise they can ask, but not require it, and can only refuse your own requests if that is reasonable.
Is Boxing Day a public holiday in 2026?
Yes, across Australia (South Australia calls it Proclamation Day). Because 26 December 2026 is a Saturday, the holiday is on Monday 28 December 2026.
Open the Australia plannerHow to maximise annual leave in 2026 (Australia)
How we work it out. Every date and number here comes from our holiday data, checked against official government sources (see About). Always confirm days off with your employer.