Christmas Eve 2009, 2010 and onwards

Christmas Eve Australia : December 24

Christmas Eve in Australia occurs each year on December 24. In three states and territories the evening is a part-day public holiday: in Queensland from 6pm to midnight, and in South Australia and the Northern Territory from 7pm to midnight. The part-day holiday also applies when December 24 falls on a weekend (as on Sunday 24 December 2028), without a substitute day. In New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory Christmas Eve is not a public holiday.

Many people leave work early or take the entire day off to make the necessary preparations for Christmas or to do some last minute shopping. On the night before Christmas Day, many families come together to celebrate Christmas. Part of the celebrations is the traditional Christmas meal and exchanging gifts with family and loved ones.