NT public holidays 2026
The Northern Territory recognises 15 public holidays in 2026 — 13 full days plus two part-day holidays (Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, 7pm to midnight) — with several local 'show day' holidays varying by region on top. Picnic Day on the first Monday in August is uniquely Territory.
Every public holiday in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 1 January 2026 | Thu | New Year's Day | National |
| Monday 26 January 2026 | Mon | Australia Day | National |
| Friday 3 April 2026 | Fri | Good Friday | National |
| Saturday 4 April 2026 | Sat | Saturday before Easter Sunday | 6 of 8 |
| Sunday 5 April 2026 | Sun | Easter Sunday | 7 of 8 |
| Monday 6 April 2026 | Mon | Easter Monday | National |
| Saturday 25 April 2026 | Sat | Anzac Day | National |
| Monday 4 May 2026 | Mon | May Day | NT-only |
| Monday 8 June 2026 | Mon | King's Birthday | 6 of 8 |
| Monday 3 August 2026 | Mon | Picnic Day | NT-only |
| Thursday 24 December 2026 | Thu | Christmas Eve (part-day, 7pm to midnight) | 2 of 8 |
| Friday 25 December 2026 | Fri | Christmas Day | National |
| Saturday 26 December 2026 | Sat | Boxing Day | 6 of 8 |
| Monday 28 December 2026 | Mon | Boxing Day (additional) | 6 of 8 |
| Thursday 31 December 2026 | Thu | New Year's Eve (part-day, 7pm to midnight) | 2 of 8 |
Sources: The Public Holidays Act 1981 (NT) sets the public holiday list. Penalty rates come from modern awards under the Fair Work Act 2009. Always cross-check with the current state gazette for any year-of substitutions when a holiday falls on a weekend.
NT quirks worth knowing
Picnic Day on the first Monday in August is uniquely Northern Territorian.
Show Day public holidays vary by region — Alice Springs Show Day, Darwin Show Day, Tennant Creek Show Day, Katherine Show Day each fall on different dates depending on the local LGA.
May Day (the first Monday in May) is a public holiday in the NT — the same date as Queensland's Labour Day, but different from other states.
Working a public holiday in NT?
The penalty rate that applies depends on your modern award and employment type. Use our calculator to see the exact rate for your award + classification + state combination.