Christmas Day
152 days until Christmas Day
About Christmas Day
Christmas Day is a major nationwide public holiday in Australia, observed every year on 25 December. Occurring during the Southern Hemisphere summer, the day blends traditional Christian celebrations with outdoor gatherings, coastal trips, and festive family meals.
History
Christmas originated as a Christian feast day commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, integrating various European midwinter customs over centuries. When the First Fleet arrived in New South Wales in 1788, the Reverend Richard Johnson led Australia's first recorded Christmas service, marking the start of European holiday traditions on the continent.
Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, European settlers adapted traditional winter customs to Australia's warm December climate. Over time, heavy winter feasts gave way to chilled seafood, outdoor barbecues, and summer recreation, establishing a distinctively Australian approach to the festive season.
Traditions & Celebrations
Australians typically spend Christmas Day outdoors or enjoying festive lunches with extended family. While traditional roast ham and turkey remain popular, many households opt for fresh seafood—particularly king prawns and oysters—alongside summer fruits like mangoes and cherries, finished with pavlova. Backyard or beach cricket, afternoon swims, and watching festive television specials are common pastimes. In the lead-up to the day, communities gather for outdoor Carols by Candlelight events and tour neighbourhoods decorated with extensive Christmas light displays.
Did you know?
- The first recorded Christian Christmas service in Australia was conducted in Sydney Cove on 25 December 1788 by the Reverend Richard Johnson.
- Australia's renowned 'Carols by Candlelight' tradition was created in Melbourne in 1938 by radio announcer Norman Banks.
- If Christmas Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute public holiday is gazetted on the following Monday or Tuesday across all Australian states and territories.
- Australians consume an estimated tens of thousands of tonnes of fresh prawns during the Christmas period, making seafood markets exceptionally busy on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day dates by year
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Christmas Day a public holiday across Australia?
Yes, Christmas Day is a gazetted nationwide public holiday in all Australian states and territories.
What happens if Christmas Day falls on a weekend in Australia?
When 25 December falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the date itself remains a public holiday, but an additional official public holiday is granted on the following Monday or Tuesday.
Are shops and supermarkets open on Christmas Day in Australia?
Most major supermarkets, department stores, and retail shops are legally required to close on Christmas Day, though select convenience stores, petrol stations, and hospitality venues may open with restricted hours.