What is open and what is closed on Anzac Day 2026?

Anzac Day falls on a Saturday this year, which means in Queensland we don’t get an extra day off.

However, restrictions to opening hours and alcohol sales apply just as if the Saturday were a weekday Anzac Day public holiday.

That means non-exempt businesses must remain shut on the day, and some exempt ones can’t open until 1pm or 1.30pm.

Who is shut all day?

Large retailers, including supermarkets, department stores and hardware shops, are “non-exempt shops”, and must remain closed on Anzac Day.

So that means no Coles, Woolies, Aldi, Bunnings, Myer, David Jones, Kmart, Target, or Big W (except the Woolworths at Brisbane Airport, which is open from 1pm).

Car dealerships must also remain shut all day.

Factories and offices must remain closed unless they are involved in essential services, power and water, supplying milk, or preparing food in restaurants and cafes.

Who is opening at 1pm?

Independent retail shops are permitted to commence trading from 1pm on Anzac Day, unless they are predominantly food and/or grocery stores, in which case they can theoretically trade without restriction.

IGAs are independent grocery stores, which is why you’ll find some are open on Anzac Day.

Who is open as usual?

Shops that can open as usual are listed on the Business Queensland website and include food and grocery stores, service stations, butchers, bakers, chemists, florists, greengrocers, fishmongers and many others.

Cafes and other restaurants are considered “cooked provisions shops” and therefore exempt. So yes, you’ll be able to get a coffee.

However, many such “exempt” businesses choose to remain shut anyway, or not to open until 1pm. Check ahead to be sure.

What about pubs?

Pubs, bars and other licensed premises are subject to special conditions.

On the day before Anzac Day (Friday, April 24), the sale and supply of alcohol and gambling must stop at midnight (gambling is allowed until 3am for casinos). Patrons have until 12.30am to finish their drinks.

On Anzac Day, RSLs and services clubs are allowed to serve alcohol from 5am, but other licensed premises have to wait until 1pm, unless they also serve meals, in which case it’s 10am.

Takeaway alcohol is not permitted on April 25 until 1pm.

Gambling is not permitted in licensed premises until noon.

Where can I play two-up?

Two-up is only permitted on designated days such as Anzac Day and only at RSLs or services clubs, or a venue that has received approval from an RSL sub-branch.

What about cinemas etc?

Places of “public amusement” such as cinemas, galleries and sporting venues are not allowed to open until 1.30pm.

Anzac Day commemorations

Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance

The major dawn service in Anzac Square is a solemn tradition dating back to 1916, one year after the Gallipoli landing. Expect hymns, wreath-laying, a dignitary’s address, the Ode of Remembrance, One Minute’s Silence, and The Last Post. Arrival at 3.30am is recommended, so set the alarm.

Extra early-morning trains, buses, rail buses and ferries will operate to take people to the Brisbane city dawn service. Free travel is available to veterans, serving personnel in uniform, and those wearing medals. Check Translink.

RSLs are also hosting dawn services – find one near you here.
Anzac Square, Brisbane, 4.28am, free.

Anzac Day parade, Brisbane

The parade features former and current Australian Defence Force members and veterans and other support organisations. It starts on George Street at the corner of Elizabeth, turns right at Adelaide Street, and right again at Creek Street, finishing at Eagle Street. Road closures will be in place. The governor gives an address in King George Square at 9.45am.
Brisbane CBD, 9.45am-12.30pm, free.

Anzac Day main march, Ipswich

The parade begins at the corner of Brisbane and Waghorn streets, proceeds down Brisbane Street, turns left into Nicholas Street and ends at Tulmur Place. Dawn services are also being held in several suburbs of greater Ipswich.
Ipswich CBD, 10.45am, free.

Anzac Day community parade, Southport

The parade will assemble at Veterans Lawn roadside next to the car park of the Aquatic Centre, Nind Street, Southport, and proceed on the Gold Coast Highway adjacent to Veterans Lawn between Nerang and Nind Street. There are also dawn services at Currumbin (Elephant Rock), Burleigh Heads (Memorial Park) and Surfers Paradise (Cavill Park), among others.
Gold Coast Highway, Southport, 8.30am, free.

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