Blog
Home » Holidays New Zealand » ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day

ANZAC is the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The holiday commemorates all the lives lost from the ANZAC at Gallipoli during World War I. It honors everyone who served in the Corps.

Upcoming Dates For ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day lands annually on the 25th of April. It's celebrated in New Zealand and Australia. If the date falls on a weekend, the public holiday will be carried over to the following weekday. Here are the upcoming ANZAC Days, to help your prepare for your personal choice of celebration:

  • Tuesday, April 25, 2017
  • Wednesday, April 25, 2018
  • Thursday, April 25, 2019
  • Saturday, April 25, 2020 - Observed on Monday, April 27, 2020
  • Sunday, April 25, 2021 - Observed on Monday, April 26, 2021
  • Monday, April 25, 2022
  • Tuesday, April 25, 2023
  • Thursday, April 25, 2024
  • Friday, April 25, 2025

Where Is ANZAC Day Considered a Holiday?

ANZAC Day is a holiday everywhere in New Zealand and Australia. It marks an important piece of history for both countries. On this day, there are no government buildings open. Many stores will close for the observation of such an important day. Public transportation may run, but may also be limited. There is also no school on ANZAC day. There may be some random shops open, but many will remain closed.

Festivities & Events During ANZAC Day

On ANZAC Day, it is traditional to attend a variety of parades. There are also ceremonies beginning at the dawn of the day. These are commemorative of the soldiers who fought in the Corps during the war. Those soldiers who returned from the war march along. They display their medals, marching behind banners. Many other military service personnel also march along with the Corps. These may include cadets and defense force members. There are also youth organizations that choose to join in the parade, demonstrating their support. It's traditional to put wreaths down, in honor of those who lives were lost. Many people will travel to Gallipoli on ANZAC Day, to honor the Corps.

A Brief History About ANZAC Day

The Gallipolo campaign lasted 8 months, during which 3000 New Zealand soldiers passed away. April 25th, marks the date that the ANZAC landed at Gallipolo in 1915. It has been a public holiday ever since 1921 in New Zealand. It has been observed every since 1916, the year following the war. It wasn't a holiday during the first years of observation, but was declared as such in 1920.