There are 15 public holidays observed by Victoria each calendar year. Individual public holiday dates for 2024 are listed in the tables below:
Victorian / VIC Public Holidays 2024
| Holiday | 2024 |
| New Year’s Day | Monday 1 January |
| Australia Day Holiday | Friday 26 January |
| Labour Day | Monday 11 March |
| Good Friday* | Friday 29 March |
| Saturday before Easter Sunday | Saturday 30 March |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday 31 March |
| Easter Monday | Monday 1 April |
| ANZAC Day* | Thursday 25 April |
| King’s Birthday | Monday 10 June |
| Friday before AFL Grand Final | Subject to AFL schedule |
| Melbourne Cup | Tuesday 5 November |
| Christmas Day*^ | Wednesday 25 December |
| Boxing Day^ | Thursday 26 December |
VIC public holidays notes
* Restricted Trading Days
Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday across all of Victoria unless an alternate local holiday has been arranged by a Non-Metropolitan council.
^ An additional holiday is provided where the holiday falls on the weekend.
Victorian Regional Holidays 2024
Non-Metropolitan Victoria public holidays are declared in accordance with the Public Holidays Act 1993 and details are published as and when available from local municipalities.
| Holiday | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Golden Plains Shire | |
| City of Greater Geelong | |
| Numurkah District within the municipal district of the Shire of Moira / Moira Shire | |
| Greater Bendigo City Council | |
| Macedon Ranges Shire Council | |
| Moyne Shire Council | |
| Wodonga City Council | |
| Warrnambool City Municipality | Thursday 4 May |
| Mildura Rural City Council | Wednesday 4 October |
Government website
Vic public holidays are administered by Business Victoria.
Victoria Public holidays are prescribed by the Public Holidays Act 1993.
Victoria public holiday timings
In 2023, the state of Victoria will observe 15 public holidays. This is the highest number of public holidays observed by any Australian state or territory and it remains unchanged each year. Victorian public holidays comprise national holidays, holidays legislated by the state of Victoria, and regional public holidays.
Public holidays in Victoria are scattered throughout the calendar year. A number of public holidays are observed during the summer school holidays. This is the case for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Day. Other Vic public holidays take place during the school term, resulting in multiple ‘long’ weekends.
Why are Mother’s Day and Father’s Day not listed as Vic public holidays?
Both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are Observances rather than public holidays for Victorians. Unfortunately, Victoria does not receive a legislated holiday or day off in lieu.
From time to time, Easter public holidays are observed during Victorian school holiday periods. However, sometimes, Easter is timed to coincide with the school term.
Visiting Victoria during a public holiday
The state of Victoria can be a busy place to visit during a public holiday. This is particularly the case if the public holiday falls on a long weekend or during a popular school holiday period.
If you are planning to visit Vic during a public holiday, it’s important to prepare in advance. Some services and attractions are in very high demand during a Vic public holiday weekend. So, plan ahead and book as early as you can.
Are Vic businesses open on public holidays?
Selected Victorian businesses operate restricted hours of operation during some public holidays, either through choice or as a legislated requirement. Liquor legislation may prevent the consumption of alcohol on commercial premises at specific times of the day on selected public holidays. This is the case on Easter Friday.
Some Victorian services, such as public transport, carry an amended schedule for public holidays.
Different types of Vic public holidays
There are three types of public holidays in Victoria – national, state, and regional holidays.
National public holidays: These are Victorian public holidays that are also recognised throughout all Australian states and territories. Examples include Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and Australia Day. Anzac Day is officially listed as a national public holiday, but if it falls on a weekend, it doesn’t attract a day off during the week for every state and territory.
Statewide Vic public holidays: These are holidays that are specific to Victoria. For example, the AFL Grand Final holiday and Melbourne Cup holiday is exclusive to Victoria.
Non-metropolitan Vic public holidays: These public holidays are observed within specific Vic regional locations. Full or part day holidays may be observed.
Victorian AFL Grand Final public holiday
The AFL Grand Final holiday (also known as ‘Grand Final Eve’) is a relatively new public holiday, exclusively celebrated in the state of Victoria.
This public holiday is based on the AFL playing schedule. In 2021, it was Friday 24 October, as the AFL playing schedule was altered due to the response to COVID-19.
Melbourne Cup public holiday
The Melbourne Cup public holiday celebrates Australia’s most famous annual horse race. This exclusively Vic public holiday is held on the first Tuesday in November.
About non-metropolitan Vic public holidays
In addition to statewide public holidays, Vic observes regional or non-metropolitan public holidays.
Victoria / Vic school holiday and term dates
This website maintains a full list of Victorian school holidays and term dates.
Important: Whilst all care is taken to ensure the data presented here is accurate, content published on this page is subject to change at any time without notice and may be inaccurate at the time you view it. The Champagne Mile will not be held accountable for informational and technical inaccuracies or errors. Site users are encouraged to cross-reference the information presented on this site with official Australian and state/territory government source websites.
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