Boxing Day 2025 in Australia

Boxing Day is a public holiday in Australia, celebrated with major shopping sales, sporting events, and outdoor activities. Many people attend the Boxing Day Test cricket match, watch the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, or enjoy the extended holiday break with family and friends.

Boxing Day: A Public Holiday?

Boxing Day is a public holiday across all states and territories in Australia, with most businesses, offices, and schools closed, while retailers open early for massive post-Christmas sales and shopping rushes.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day has been observed in Australia since the country was a British colony. It originated in England as a day when wealthy families gave boxes of gifts, money, and leftover food to servants and those in need. This tradition was carried over to Australia, though over time, the meaning of the holiday evolved.

By the 20th century, Boxing Day in Australia became known for post-Christmas relaxation, sporting events, and shopping sales. Instead of focusing on charitable giving, the day turned into a time for leisure and entertainment. The Boxing Day Test match in cricket became a major tradition, first played in 1950 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Sydney to Hobart yacht race, which began in 1945, also became a highlight of the day. Today, Boxing Day remains a public holiday across Australia, widely recognized for sports, shopping, and spending time with family.

Observance of Boxing Day in Australia

Boxing Day in Australia is filled with excitement, with millions tuning in to watch sporting events. The Boxing Day Test match, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, is a major highlight, drawing huge crowds and cricket fans from around the world. Another iconic event is the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, which starts in Sydney Harbour and finishes in Hobart, Tasmania. Many Australians also enjoy local sports competitions, backyard cricket, and outdoor activities.

Shopping is another key part of Boxing Day. Retailers offer huge post-Christmas discounts, and shopping centers are packed with bargain hunters looking for deals on electronics, fashion, and home goods. It is one of the year's busiest shopping days, similar to Black Friday in other countries. While some people embrace the shopping rush, others prefer to relax at home or spend time with family, enjoying barbecues, picnics, or trips to the beach.

Boxing Day is important as it extends the festive season, allowing people to unwind after Christmas. It also brings communities together through sport, leisure, and social events. Whether enjoying cricket, shopping, or simply relaxing, Boxing Day remains a cherished and lively tradition in Australia.

Boxing Day Observances