King's Birthday

King’s Birthday is an Australian public holiday that commemorates the birthday of the reigning British monarch, King Charles III, and reflects Australia’s constitutional history as a constitutional monarchy. The celebration was formerly known as the Queen’s Birthday during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and was renamed following her death in 2022. Despite its name, the holiday is not held on the monarch’s actual birthday; it is scheduled at a convenient time for public observance and differs between Australian states and territories.

In 2026, the King’s Birthday public holiday falls on Monday, 8 June in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. Western Australia observes it on Monday, 28 September, while Queensland observes it on Monday, 5 October. The holiday developed from British royal birthday observances and has evolved into a distinctly Australian long weekend, combining formal recognition of the Crown with community recreation, sporting events and regional celebrations. It is also closely associated with the King’s Birthday Honours, which recognise Australians for distinguished service and achievement.

Typical King’s Birthday celebrations in Australia are low-key and community-focused. Government buildings and civic organisations may hold official ceremonies, flag-raising events or citizenship-related functions, while the King’s Birthday Honours are announced as a major national feature. Recipients may be appointed to Australian honours such as the Order of Australia, and local media commonly highlight people recognised for public service, charity, emergency work, science, culture and sport.

For many Australians, the holiday is primarily enjoyed as a long weekend. Families and friends gather for barbecues, picnics, lunches and informal gatherings, while winter sports, Australian rules football, rugby, horse racing and local festivals are popular activities, particularly in June. In colder regions, people may use the weekend for short trips, coastal visits or winter recreation. There is no single required ceremonial meal or nationwide ritual, but seasonal foods, hot drinks and barbecue fare are common. A standard greeting is “Happy King’s Birthday,” although many people simply refer to it as the King’s Birthday long weekend.