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Australia Day is a public holiday in Western Australia on 26 January. The next one is Tuesday 26 January 2027. Perth’s City-run Australia Day event takes place at Langley Park and on the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) foreshore, but the detailed program, access arrangements and timings below are from the 2026 event on 26 January 2026. As of October 2026, no confirmed 2027 program, operating hours, road closures or accessibility details had been published, so treat the event details here as a guide to what to expect, not a schedule for next year.
When is Australia Day a public holiday in WA?
The WA Government’s public-holiday listing, last updated 2 September 2026, sets out the dates below. Its rule is that when 26 January falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the public holiday moves to the first following Monday.
| Year | Date | Day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 January | Monday | Public holiday (already passed) |
| 2027 | 26 January | Tuesday | Public holiday (next occurrence) |
Because 26 January 2027 falls midweek, no shift applies. Check the WA Government listing if you are planning around the holiday for another year, since the Saturday-or-Sunday rule can move the day.
What was on in Perth for Australia Day 2026?
The City of Perth’s announcement of 23 January 2026 placed the event at Langley Park and the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) foreshore. The Australia Day Council’s listing described a separate morning program at Victoria Gardens. Together, the two sources give the following 2026 picture.
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Morning: breakfast and Smoking Ceremony
The Australia Day Council listing described a morning breakfast and a Smoking Ceremony at Victoria Gardens. The City also held its Australia Day Citizenship and Awards Ceremony as part of the day.
Afternoon: Langley Park and the foreshore
- Family entertainment and a picnic zone for visitors who brought their own food.
- Multicultural activities, including the Multicultural Zone, which the City described as featuring Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and multicultural communities through performances, stalls, and hands-on arts and crafts.
- Food vendors on site.
- A film dome.
- Free FMX and BMX shows.
- Ticketed carnival rides. Only the rides required a ticket; the other activities listed were free.
Evening: the 8:30pm light show
The free light show was scheduled for 8:30 to 9:00pm in 2026. Sources for that year describe a light show rather than fireworks, so do not plan around fireworks unless the City announces them for a future event.
Where to watch from
Langley Park was the City’s main event site in 2026. The City’s post-event reporting also says people watched from Kings Park, South Perth, Terrace Road and Elizabeth Quay. Those locations were not presented as official event sites, so check the live City of Perth guidance before choosing one, especially for evening viewing and crowd access.
Getting there, road closures and river use
The City advised visitors to note road closures and plan their journey before leaving home. The 2026 visitor guide also flagged parking constraints and restrictions for boat users on the river. The exact closure routes and times for 2026 are not repeated here, because they belong to that year’s notice and can change.
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- Check the City of Perth and Visit Perth guidance for the year you are attending, not an older article.
- Allow extra time for parking, given the constraints the City flagged for 2026.
- If you plan to arrive by boat, check the river restrictions the City published for the event year before setting out.
Accessibility and facilities
The City’s 2026 visitor guide listed the following facilities. Confirm each one for the year you attend, because arrangements can change between events.
- Accessible viewing areas.
- Auslan interpreting.
- Audio description.
- A sensory space.
- Toilets, including accessible facilities.
- Free drinking water.
What to bring
The City invited attendees to bring a picnic and described a picnic zone on site. A picnic blanket is a useful optional item if you plan to sit on the grass or in the zone. It is not an official requirement.
Attendance and citizenship figures
The City of Perth reported that more than 150,000 people attended events across the City in 2026, and that 70 new Australian citizens were welcomed at its Australia Day Citizenship and Awards Ceremony. These are the City’s own post-event figures and have not been independently audited.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Planning for 2027: what is not yet confirmed
The following details had not been published at the time of writing. Check them before you plan:
- The 2027 event program and locations.
- Operating hours and the time of any evening show.
- Road closures, parking arrangements and river restrictions.
- Accessibility services, including interpreting, audio description and the sensory space.
Look for announcements from the City of Perth and Visit Perth, and treat any 2026 timings or facilities as historical unless they are repeated for 2027.
The City’s own description of the day
In its 23 January 2026 announcement, the City quoted Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds: “Australia Day is a chance to gather in the heart of our city, enjoy a beautiful summer’s day by the river, and reflect on the many stories, cultures and shared values that shape our country.” That is the City’s event wording and the Lord Mayor’s perspective, not a neutral account of the date’s history. This guide covers the holiday dates and event logistics only.
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