There are many things to love about Brisbane–its subtropical climate, stunning river views, delicious food and relaxed lifestyle, just to name a few. But one of the best things about this vibrant city is its range of public holidays. Whether you’re looking to catch up with family and friends or take some time out for yourself, there are sure to be Brisbane public holidays that fit the bill.
Brisbane public holidays are a great opportunity to learn more about the city’s history and culture. The holidays are also a time to enjoy some of Brisbane’s amazing attractions, such as the Story Bridge, South Bank Parklands and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
Brisbane public holidays fall into two categories: national and state. National holidays are those that are observed throughout Australia, while state holidays are specific to Queensland. Here’s a rundown of all the Brisbane public holidays and QLD public holidays in 2023:
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is traditionally observed on January 1st. This day marks the start of a new year and is often associated with resolutions and promises to change our lives for the better. Brisbane comes alive with fireworks displays, live music and parties galore! There’s no better place to ring in the new year than in Australia’s most vibrant city.
New Year’s Day has become a major Brisbane public holiday since its introduction in 1856. The tradition began during colonial times to celebrate the beginning of British rule over Australia. In Queensland, New Year’s Day was originally called Queen Victoria’s Birthday and was celebrated on March 24th.
Today, New Year’s Day is celebrated throughout Australia as a national holiday. It’s also known as the Scottish equivalent, Hogmanay. And although it’s now officially recognized as a Brisbane public holiday, 3rd of January is still considered a working day.
Australia Day
Australia Day is one of the Brisbane public holidays that commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet of British settlers in 1788. New South Wales was founded in the same year, during the British Empire’s expansion into Australia. Besides being the oldest Australian state, it has also had the longest continuous history.
On January 26th, 1816, Governor Lachlan Macquarie proclaimed the colony of New South Wales a separate entity from Great Britain. And on January 26, 2018, the government of Queensland officially declared Australia Day a QLD public holiday. This decision came after years of debate over whether the country should celebrate its founding date.
Head to South Bank for a party atmosphere, featuring food stalls, live music and family-friendly activities.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The day marks the culmination of Holy Week, which began on Palm Sunday and ended on Easter Sunday. In some countries, Good Friday is also known as Black Friday or Holy Friday.
Good Friday was originally called Pascha (Greek) or Pâques (French), meaning Passover. This name comes from the Last Supper meal shared between Jesus and his disciples before he was crucified.
It’s a time of reflection and remembrance. People go to church services to pray and reflect on their sins. They attend religious ceremonies and share food together. Many families visit cemeteries and memorials to remember loved ones who died.
The Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht race starts from the pier at Shorncliffe on Good Friday and you can watch the boats from Sandgate as well as a couple of spots on the Redcliffe Peninsula.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is the day before Easter Sunday. The Christian holiday commemorates Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. During this time, Christians abstain from meat and wine (in addition to other restrictions).
Holy Saturday is observed in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga. In these countries, the day marks the beginning of the week-long period called Lent. During this time, Christians abstain from meat (including fish) and other foods during the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday.
During the week before Easter, Christians remember their faith through rituals such as fasting and abstinence.
Easter Sunday
Easter is the week before the start of Lent, during which Christians commemorate Jesus’ death and resurrection. It begins with Palm Sunday (the day Christ was welcomed into Jerusalem) and ends with Easter Monday (the day he rose from the dead).
The Easter weekend sees a range of religious and cultural events taking place throughout Brisbane. Highlights include the Good Friday Procession of Witness through the CBD and the annual Lantern Parade at Roma Street Parkland.
It’s no secret that Easter is a very important holiday for Christians. The celebration of Easter is rooted in the Old Testament story of Passover. In the book of Exodus, God commanded Moses to tell his people to celebrate Passover every year. This annual commemoration would remind them of their freedom from slavery in Egypt.
Easter Monday
Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon closest to the spring equinox (the date varies from year to year). This means that every four years, Easter moves forward two days. Easter Sunday, as one of the QLD public holidays 2022 Brisbane, will fall on April 18th.
Easter is celebrated on the day Jesus rose from the dead. Christians believe that he was resurrected at dawn on the third day after his crucifixion. In some traditions, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Christ, but also celebrates the beginning of the new life given to us through him.
Anzac Day
On April 25th each year, Australians remember those who fought and died in wars. The day commemorates the landing at Gallipoli in 1915, where thousands of soldiers from Australia and New Zealand lost their lives.
The ANZAC tradition began after the battle at Gallipoli where over 8,000 Australian soldiers lost their lives. In 1915, they were sent to fight against the Ottoman Empire in Turkey.
It’s also known as ANZAC Day because it was established by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). In fact, the word ‘Anzac’ comes from the Aboriginal name for Australia – ‘Au Nozha’, meaning ‘land of the head’.
April 25 is one of the most solemn days on the Australian calendar, commemorating those who have served in wars past and present. Attend a dawn service at one of Brisbane’s many war memorials, or visit the Australian War Memorial Museum in Anzac Square.
Labour Day
Labour Day is celebrated on the first Monday of May, commemorating the historic struggles of workers across Australia.
This is one of the Brisbane public holidays that has become a tradition in many countries around the world. It marks the beginning of summer and is also known as Workers’ Day. This annual celebration comes at a time when workers are often struggling to make ends meet. It’s important to remember that labour unions were once essential to ensuring fair pay and safe workplaces.
Ekka People’s Day
The Ekka festival is held annually at the Queensland Exhibition Centre in Brisbane. This event celebrates the culture and heritage of Indigenous Australians.
It is Australia’s largest celebration of Aboriginal culture and heritage. Held every year since 1876, it features live performances from local artists and cultural groups.
Ekka is a celebration of Australian culture held annually in Brisbane. The event has become famous over the years for its colourful festivities and large crowds. There are several events at Ekka, such as food stalls, live music performances, children’s activities, and much more.
Not only is it fun, but it also gives you the chance to explore some amazing places around Brisbane.
King’s Birthday
The King’s Birthday is celebrated annually to commemorate the birthday of Charles III, who became king upon his mother Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022. This year, as one of the QLD public holidays, the celebration falls on Monday, October 2nd.
The King’s birthday is always celebrated with great pomp and ceremony. There are various events held throughout the country, such as parades and fireworks displays. People dress up in their finest clothes and attend parties or go out for lunch.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is not really a public holiday, but in typical laid-back Queensland style, most businesses will have closed down to get an early start on the Christmas break.
Christmas Eve is a special time at some Brisbane homes where some families gather to celebrate their faith, traditions, and culture and to share Christmas Gifts.
On Christmas Eve, churches throughout the country ring bells to mark the start of the religious season. At midnight, church bells toll 12 times to signify the arrival of the new year. Churches also host “Midnight Masses” on Christmas Eve, which begin at 9 pm local time.
Christmas
Christmas Day is celebrated every year on December 25th. This is the birthday of Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethlehem during the reign of King Herod. The celebration is marked by feasting, gift-giving, singing carols, and exchanging gifts.
Brisbane can become a bit of a ghost town around this time as many folks head to either the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast. For many, it is the start of their summer holidays.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th. The tradition started in England where workers would give their bosses gifts on Christmas Eve. They would also receive gifts from their boss at Christmas time. This showed appreciation for their work during the holiday season.
The day marks the end of the festive season, and families often go out for a meal together or visit friends.
For many, Boxing Day has become associated with major sporting events, with the Boxing Day test starting in Melbourne and the Syndey to Hobart yacht race also starting.
Brisbane Public Holidays 2022
Brisbane public holidays are always a cause for celebration! There are plenty of events and activities to enjoy, both during the holiday period and in the weeks leading up to it.
| QLD public holidays 2022 | Public holiday dates |
| New Year’s Day | 3 January 2022 (Monday) |
| Australia Day | 26 January 2022 (Wednesday) |
| Good Friday | 15 April 2022 (Friday) |
| Holy Saturday | 16 April 2022 (Saturday) |
| Easter | 17 April 2022 (Sunday) |
| Easter Monday | 18 April 2022 (Monday) |
| Anzac Day | 25 April 2022 (Monday) |
| Labour Day | 2 May 2022 (Monday) |
| Ekka People’s Day | 10 August 2022 (Wednesday) |
| Queen’s Birthday | 3 October 2022 (Monday) |
| Christmas Eve | 24 December 2022 (Saturday) |
| Christmas | 25-26 December 2022 (Sunday-Monday) |
| Boxing Day | 26 December 2022 (Monday) |
Brisbane Public Holidays QLD 2023
Brisbane public holidays are always a big event, and 2023 is no exception! There are a ton of great events and activities planned throughout the year, so be sure to mark your calendars!
| Brisbane public holidays 2023 | Public holiday dates |
| New Year’s Day | 2 January 2023 (Monday) |
| Australia Day | 26 January 2023 (Thursday) |
| Good Friday | 7 April 2023 (Friday) |
| Holy Saturday | 8 April 2023 (Saturday) |
| Easter | 9 April 2023 (Sunday) |
| Easter Monday | 10 April 2023 (Monday)- |
| Anzac Day | 25 April 2023 (Tuesday) |
| Labour Day | 1 May 2023 (Monday) |
| Ekka People’s Day | 16 August 2023 (Wednesday) |
| Queen’s Birthday | 2 October 2023 (Monday) |
| Christmas Eve | 24 December 2023 (Sunday) |
| Christmas | 25 December 2023 (Monday) |
| Boxing Day | 26 December 2023 (Tuesday) |
Public holidays are a special time of year. They give us all a chance to take a break from work or school and spend some time with family and friends. These are all great opportunities to get out and explore everything that Brisbane has to offer. There are plenty of events and activities happening throughout the city over the holiday period, so there’s something for everyone.
Plan Your Brisbane Public Holidays
If you’re looking for ideas on what to do over the Brisbane public holidays in the city, here are a few suggestions:
- Catch a show at QPAC or the Lyric Theatre. There’s always something interesting happening in both venues.
- Wander around the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha. The gardens are huge and there’s always something new to see.
- Go for a picnic in one of Brisbane’s many parks or gardens. My favourites are Roma Street Parkland and South Bank Parklands.
- Head to one of Brisbane’s beaches for a day of swimming, sunbathing and sandcastles. Some of the people’s favourites are Manly Beach, Wynnum Wading Pool and Sandgate Beach.
- Take a walk or cycle along the Brisbane River. There’s no better way to enjoy the cityscape than from up high (or down low) on the riverbank.
- Check out one of Brisbane’s many museums or art galleries. The Queensland Museum is always worth a visit, as is the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).
The Brisbane 2023 public holidays are sure to be exciting! There are a few major holidays coming up that you won’t want to miss.
