Australia Day is celebrated to mark the first fleet of British ships. The British landed at Port Jackson on January 26th, 1788. Although the name of the celebration has varied over the years, it is widely said as Australia Day in present time. It's observed by all of Australia and anyone visiting. It is also celebrated throughout different places in the world, although it is not considered a holiday in other countries.
Upcoming Dates For Australia Day
Australia Day is on January 26th, every year. However, the day of celebrations may not always fall on the same date. Here are the upcoming Australia Day dates:
- Thursday, January 26, 2017
- Friday, January 26, 2018
- Saturday, January 26, 2019 - celebrated on Monday, January 28, 2019
- Sunday, January 26, 2020 - celebrated on Monday, January 27, 2020
- Tuesday, January 26, 2021
- Wednesday, January 26, 2022
- Thursday, January 26, 2023
- Friday, January 26, 2024
- Sunday, January 26, 2025 - celebrated on Monday, January 27, 2025
Where Is Australia Day Considered A Holiday?
Australia Day is considered a National Holiday, meaning there are many people over the world who observe the day. Throughout all of Australia, is is considered a special day. It is considered a public holiday in very state and territory in Australia. Although, the 26th of January is not always the day off. If the Holiday falls on a weekend, then the day off will come the following Monday. On those occasions, observers get the chance to celebrate on a long weekend, enjoying more time with their loved ones.
Festivities & Events During The Holiday
Throughout the day, there are many festivities to be had. There are festivals and citizenship ceremonies. There are concerts as well. The day is celebrated so greatly throughout Australia. There are even some events for the Indigenous Australian people to come out and celebrate, even though they largely protest the day. As Australia has grown, the day celebrates the expansion of Australia and the growing culture. Largely, different parts of Australia celebrate the day differently. There are some states that enjoy boat races, while other prefer music. Since the day changes, it doesn't always fall on a long weekend. On those years, it's a good plan to take the family on a brief vacation. A home barbecue or cook out is always a good way to celebrate the day. Keeping track of the day helps you to be a good holiday planner.
A Brief History Of Australia Day
The first date of official celebration was in 1818. Although the holiday had been celebrated every year, it was only given an official title in 1818. It took until 1935 to take on the name of Australia Day. Then, it took until 1994 to be considered a proper holiday. During the day, many festivities can be seen taking place, including a celebration of citizenship. The governor-general even addresses the public every year on Australia Day. Of course, there are many people that view the date as an invasion of their land. They have even taken to protesting every year. However, the celebration has not been altered since the majority of citizens enjoy the festivities and celebration of culture.