Australia Day 26th January 2025 Sydney
What’s on in Sydney?
Australia day is on the 26th of January
Top things to do on Australia Day in Sydney
Go watch the Sydney Harbour firework display
Celebrate by going on a dinner cruise in Sydney Harbour
Watch the tall boat race on the harbour
Enjoy and celebrate with First Australian music and dance
Be part of the Sydney Festival
As Australia day is on a Saturday, the bank holiday is on the 28th which is the Monday so be ready for a three day weekend
| Australia Day | |
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Sydney Harbour on Australia Day, 2014
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| Also called |
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| Observed by | Australian citizens, residents and expatriates |
| Type | National |
| Significance | Date of the landing of the First Fleet on Sydney Cove in 1788 |
| Observances | Family gatherings, fireworks, picnics and barbecues, parades, citizenship ceremonies, Australia Day honours, Australian of the Year presentation, many other celebrations alongside protests and mourning ceremonies[1] |
| Date | 26 January |
| Frequency | Annual |
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet and raising of the Union Flag of Great Britain by Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove, a small bay on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour.[2] In present-day Australia, the government Australia Day Council organises events that seeks to recognise the contributions of Australians to the nation, while also encouraging reflection on past wrongs including towards Indigenous Australians and also giving respect and celebrating the diversity and achievements of Australian society past and present.[3] The presentation of community awards and citizenship ceremonies are also commonly held on the day.[1] The holiday is marked by the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards on Australia Day Eve, announcement of the Australia Day Honours list and addresses from the governor-general and prime minister. It is an official public holiday in every state and territory. With community festivals, concerts and citizenship ceremonies, the day is celebrated in large and small communities and cities around the nation. Australia Day has become the biggest annual civic event in Australia.[4]
The meaning and significance of Australia Day has evolved since the first records of celebration in 1808, with contested views on the day existing since at least 1888.[5] Previously, the states celebrated different days that acknowledged their founding, such as Regatta Day in Tasmania, Queensland Day in Queensland or Foundation Day in Western Australia, and the celebration of the first Anniversary Day or Foundation Day (as the day was called) by New South Wales in 1818 was seen in a similar light.[5] Following Federation in 1901, moves for a national holiday gained pace (prompted by lobbying by the Australian Natives’ Association which celebrated ANA Day), with the name Australia Day and the date of 26 January finally selected in 1935, with a public holiday at or around that date in all states in 1940.[6][5] The first prominent protest also occurred around this time in 1938, with the first Day of Mourning held by the Australian Aborigines’ League. In 1994 the date was fixed in all jurisdictions on 26 January when the practice by some states of holding the holiday on a Friday in late January for a long weekend was dropped.[7]
Things to do in Western Australia
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