Anzac Day 2027 Countdown

In 2027, Anzac Day in Australia falls on Sunday 25 April. The traditional date and the observed date are the same, so the main commemorations and public holiday recognition all take place on that Sunday. Anzac Day is fixed on 25 April every year, unlike holidays that move to the nearest Monday, which makes it easier to remember but can affect work and school differently from year to year.

Because Anzac Day 2027 is on a Sunday, many people will already be off work, and ceremonies will be woven into the weekend. Some states and territories may provide an additional day off on the Monday, while others treat it as a normal working day and only mark the Sunday as the public holiday. Local rules can differ, and places such as Western Australia sometimes have arrangements that are not the same as the eastern states, so it is sensible to check your state or territory’s official holiday calendar for 2027.

Anzac Day, known locally and in English by the same name, marks the service and sacrifice of members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). The date, 25 April, was chosen because Australian and New Zealand troops landed at Gallipoli in Türkiye on that day in 1915, in one of the most significant campaigns of the First World War for both nations. The difficult fighting, high casualties and stories of endurance at Gallipoli became central to how many Australians understood courage, mateship and national identity in the early twentieth century.

Over time, Anzac Day in Australia has grown from a focus on Gallipoli veterans to a broader remembrance of all Australians who have served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Public ceremonies and private reflections on Anzac Day 2027 will connect the original ANZAC story with later history, from the Western Front to more recent deployments. For many families, the day is also a personal moment to remember relatives who served, whether or not they saw combat. The shared name Anzac Day in both everyday English and official use helps tie these national and family histories together.

Anzac Day is recognised as a public holiday throughout Australia, so many government offices and most schools do not operate as usual when it falls. In 2027, the day itself is a Sunday, which already limits normal school and office activity, but the public holiday status still affects trading hours and services. Some states and territories may provide an additional weekday off when Anzac Day falls on a Sunday, while others only apply Sunday arrangements and keep the Monday as a standard work and school day.

For retailers and hospitality venues on Anzac Day 2027, hours can vary widely by state and even by local council. Larger shops, shopping centres and bottle shops often open later than usual, especially on the morning of Anzac Day, and some may be closed for part of the day to allow for dawn services and marches. Cafés, restaurants and pubs are more likely to open, particularly after morning ceremonies, but they may charge public holiday surcharges or operate reduced hours. Western Australia and some other states also have specific trading rules around Anzac Day, so checking local notices in early April 2027 will help avoid surprises.

Across Australia, Anzac Day observances centre on remembrance and quiet reflection rather than large-scale festivities. Many people attend a dawn service, often at a local war memorial or cenotaph, where there may be readings, the Last Post, a minute’s silence and the laying of wreaths. These ceremonies are held in cities, towns and small communities, from capital cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Perth through to remote regions, giving people a shared way to mark the Anzac story.

Later in the morning, veterans’ marches or parades commonly take place, featuring current and former members of the Australian Defence Force, family representatives and community groups. Spectators often line the streets to show support, wear red poppies or sprigs of rosemary and display service medals. After official events, it is common for people to gather at homes, clubs or pubs, sometimes playing the traditional game of two-up where it is permitted on Anzac Day. Many Australians also use the rest of the day for time with family, quiet outings or watching Anzac Day football matches on television, blending formal remembrance with familiar weekend routines.

Planning ahead for Anzac Day 2027 in Australia is helpful, especially because it falls on a Sunday and may influence the Monday for some workers and students. Public transport in major cities often runs on a Sunday or public holiday timetable, but extra early services are sometimes added to get people to central dawn services. If you rely on buses, trains or ferries, checking timetables in advance can prevent long waits in the early morning or evening. It can also be wise to do larger grocery shopping on the Friday or Saturday, as supermarkets and bottle shops may open later or operate on reduced hours on the Sunday.

For visitors, Anzac Day offers a distinctive way to experience Australian culture but also calls for respectful planning. Central areas near major memorials, such as city centres and parks that host dawn services and marches, can become crowded and may involve road closures or parking restrictions. Booking accommodation early in popular cities and in regional centres with well-known dawn services, including places in Western Australia, can make early starts more manageable. Whether you live locally or are travelling, allowing extra time to move around and being prepared for quieter streets outside ceremony times will help you make the most of the long Anzac Day 2027 weekend.