Easter Saturday in Australia
When is Easter Saturday in Australia?
Easter Saturday in Australia is on April 19, 2025. It falls on Saturday.
How many days until Easter Saturday in Australia?
There are 148 Days left until Easter Saturday in Australia.
Is Easter Saturday a public holiday in Australia?
In Australia, the day after Good Friday is another holiday called Easter Saturday. Like other Christian countries, this day is celebrated by the Australians to commemorate the day when Christ (whose teachings are the foundations of the Christian religion) laid on his tomb after he was crucified and died the day before (his crucifixion and death was observed with another holiday called Good Friday). Although Easter Saturday is not a national holiday, majority of the country’s states and territories have designated the day to become a public holiday. New South Wales (NSW), South Australia (SA), Queensland (QLD), Victoria (VIC), Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and Northern Territory (NT) are those which have made the day a public holiday. Only the states of Tasmania and Western Australia are the exceptions. For the latter states, the day after Good Friday is just a regular day, which means that for both states (TAS and WA), establishments and businesses should continue to operate as usual. On the other hand, states such as NSW, SA, QLD, VIC, and territories like ACT and NT should have some restrictions on their business schedules on Easter Saturday. While there are still some shops, stores, restaurants, and other businesses which carry on with their businesses in these locations, these establishments would likely follow restricted schedules due to the holiday. Government offices, post offices, and many other business organizations operating on the mentioned states and territories should close on this day and employees (especially those who have work on weekends) can spend the holiday with their families.
Easter Saturday Origin
Easter is considered as one of the oldest festivals in the Christian religion, alongside Epiphany and Christmas. Easter Saturday, being in the middle of the Easter season (from Good Friday to Easter Monday) is one of the important holidays celebrated in Australia. Although history records show vague evidence as to when Easter season was first celebrated, the earliest recorded observance was said to occur around the 2nd century. For the Australians, Easter Saturday celebration (and other holidays associated with Christianity) started when Christianity was first introduced by the English in the late 18th century. It was around this time, specifically in year 1788, when the first British settlers arrived in the country. Many Aussies (slang word for Australians) have undergone conversion to Christianity in the past and at present, Christianity has become the country’s primary religion. Thus, any celebrations associated with the said religion have since then been observed by the Aussies. Easter Saturday is one of those. This holiday forms part of Australia’s highly anticipated Easter season. Though Easter Saturday is not designated as a national holiday, majority of the country’s states and territories have officially declared the day to become a public holiday (except for TAS and WA).
At present, the Aussies have various names for this holiday, depending on their residences. For those residing in NSW, ACT, and NT, the holiday is called ‘Easter Saturday’. In contrast, Aussies living in QLD and SA named this holiday as ‘The Day after Good Friday’ while those settling in VIC dubbed the day as the ‘Saturday before Easter Sunday’. Yet, regardless of these varied names, the Australians in general observed this holiday for the same reason. The day is primarily taken to commemorate the time when Jesus laid on his tomb after his death thousands of years ago.
Easter Saturday Traditions in Australia
The day succeeding Good Friday and preceding Easter Sunday is called Easter Saturday in Australia. For some other Christian countries, this day is also known as Holy Saturday, Black Saturday, Easter Eve, and Vigil of Easter. This holiday was established to look back on the day when Jesus laid dead on his burial site at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after his crucifixion the previous day. While Easter Saturday is not a public holiday in TAS and WA, it has been designated as a public holiday for territories like ACT, NT, and the rest of the country’s states such as NSW, SA, QLD, and VIC. For these territories and states which declared the day a holiday, numerous events are set out to celebrate the day.
Church Services
Going to the church to attend a special mass is one of those. Many regular churchgoers, especially Catholics, make sure to attend special church services on this day. Attending such special church services has always been a part of the celebration for this holiday. Furthermore, other events like christenings and weddings are also often done in Australia during Easter Saturday. Hence, this is one of the reasons why this holiday is particularly famous in the country. In the matter of food, hot cross buns (although this is traditionally eaten on Good Friday, many would still have a fill on this food during the rest of the Easter weekend), pancakes, and chocolate Easter eggs are typically the ones eaten during the Easter weekend.
Easter Bilby
Each Christian country has its own share of unique customs and traditions linked with the Easter season. In Australia, one of the things which make their Easter celebration unique is the symbol they make use of to associate with the said season. While many countries frequently use the Easter bunny as the prominent symbol for Easter, for the Australians, Bilbies are used instead. ‘Bilbies’s or also called as rabbit-eared bandicoots, are a genus of desert-dwelling marsupial omnivores which have a long-tapered muzzle and large pointed ears. The Easter Bilbies are the country’s alternative to the Easter Bunnies. This was done since bunnies/rabbits are seen as a nuisance especially for the Australian farmers whose crops are often eaten by them. At the same time, since the bilbies are nearing extinction in the country, the profit acquired from the bilby-shaped products (like chocolates) being sold during Easter are also going to be use in the preservation of the bilby population. Thus, during Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, many Aussies from across the country would purchase chocolates, candies, and other related merchandise which are bilby-shaped rather than the traditional Easter bunnies.
Blessing of the Fleet Festival
Other activities observe during the holiday (or during the Easter weekend) include the Blessing of the Fleet Festival which is done in Ulladulla, New South Wales. This is a practice held traditionally in this specific state since 1956. During the activity, prayers are offered in hopes for an abundant catch of fishes while also wishing for the safe return of the fishermen. Thousands of Aussies also end up taking part on this festival since it provides a variety of fun and enjoyable activities such as: contests, parades, dancing, carnivals, amusement rides, and fireworks.
Sydney Royal Easter Show
The Sydney Royal Easter Show in Sydney, New South Wales, is another gleeful event held around the Easter weekend too. The show lasts for around 2 weeks making the whole Easter celebration more festive. For some Aussies, they make use of the Easter Saturday holiday to visit this place and partake on several entertainments provided. The show offers various entertainments like agricultural shows, amusement parks, live music, and commercial attractions. It even showcases lots of competitions as well, e.g. photography, cookery, arts and crafts, and many others. The show is truly an exciting event which is why many visitors throughout the country choose to spend the holiday at this place due to its offering of diverse fascinations.
Easter Vintage Festival in Queensland
In addition to all forms of entertainments available, the ‘Easter Vintage Festival in Queensland’ is another notable event worth mentioning as well. This festival lasts for around three days, typically beginning on Easter Saturday up until Easter Monday. This event provides its own unique entertainments that could take one back to how Australia is like in the old days (e.g. milking a cow or learning to be a blacksmith, etc.). Thousands of Aussies would likely attend this festival and join in on the fun either on Easter Saturday or during the remaining Easter days (Easter Sunday/ Easter Monday).
Stawell Gift
Furthermore, sporting events are also traditionally held in Australia with the observance of the Easter season. The Stawell Gift is an example to this. Stawell Gift (which is held at Central Park, Victoria) is the nation’s richest and oldest short distance running race beginning since 1878. This sporting activity usually starts during Easter Saturday and with the final race being run on Easter Monday. This event has attracted many competitors and spectators from all over the country.
Quick Getaway Trips
In conclusion, Easter season has become one of the most awaited seasons in Australia. Many people would participate on the various events organize for the holidays. For others, they make use of the long weekend that the Easter season brings and would book some getaway trips instead. Hence, traveling is also typical on this day. Easter Saturday, being in the middle of the Easter weekend, is taken by many as a day for relaxation. Australians have always been famous for their relaxed and laid-back attitude and they definitely make the most of it during the celebration of their special holidays. With Easter Saturday’s observance (and the rest of the Easter holidays), the Aussies are usually seen relaxing and spending quality time together with their family and friends.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 19 | Saturday | Easter Saturday |
| 2026 | April 04 | Saturday | Easter Saturday |
| 2027 | March 27 | Saturday | Easter Saturday |
| 2028 | April 15 | Saturday | Easter Saturday |
| 2029 | March 31 | Saturday | Easter Saturday |
| 2030 | April 20 | Saturday | Easter Saturday |
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2024 |
| Boxing Day | December 26, 2024 |
| New Year's Day | January 01, 2025 |
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