Christmas Day and Boxing Day open New Zealand's summer holiday season. With New Year's Day and 2 January a week later, they make the end of the year the easiest time to turn a few days of annual leave into a long summer break.
Christmas dates
| Holiday | Actual date | Observed weekday date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Day 2026 | Fri, 25 Dec 2026 | Fri, 25 Dec 2026 | Friday |
| Boxing Day 2026 | Sat, 26 Dec 2026 | Mon, 28 Dec 2026 Observed | Monday |
| Christmas Day 2027 | Sat, 25 Dec 2027 | Mon, 27 Dec 2027 Observed | Monday |
| Boxing Day 2027 | Sun, 26 Dec 2027 | Tue, 28 Dec 2027 Observed | Tuesday |
Christmas Day trading
Christmas Day is a restricted trading day, so most shops are closed, with exemptions such as many dairies, service stations and pharmacies. Alcohol sales are also restricted. Boxing Day is a normal trading day and is known for big retail sales.
How weekend dates move
Both days are Mondayised. When Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, people who would not normally work that day observe it on the following Monday or Tuesday. That is why the observed dates in the table can be 27 or 28 December.
Making the most of leave
Because four public holidays fall within about nine days, taking the working days between Christmas and New Year can give a break of ten days or more for relatively little leave. Many employers close over this period anyway; check whether yours requires you to use annual leave for the closedown.
Summer travel tips
This is the busiest travel period of the year. Book ferries, campgrounds and popular accommodation early, keep plans flexible for weather, and check fire restrictions before lighting barbecues or campfires. Sunburn risk is high: slip, slop, slap and wrap, even on cloudy days.
Make the most of your leave
These plans count national public holidays and weekends for someone who usually works Monday to Friday. They are worked out from the dates above; regional anniversaries and your own roster can make them better or worse.
Christmas 2026
- No leave → 4 days off: Fri, 25 Dec 2026 to Mon, 28 Dec 2026.
- 1 day of leave → 5 days off: Fri, 25 Dec 2026 to Tue, 29 Dec 2026. Leave on Tue, 29 Dec 2026.
- 2 days of leave → 6 days off: Fri, 25 Dec 2026 to Wed, 30 Dec 2026. Leave on Tue, 29 Dec 2026, Wed, 30 Dec 2026.
- 3 days of leave → 11 days off: Fri, 25 Dec 2026 to Mon, 4 Jan 2027. Leave on Tue, 29 Dec 2026, Wed, 30 Dec 2026, Thu, 31 Dec 2026.
- 4 days of leave → 12 days off: Fri, 25 Dec 2026 to Tue, 5 Jan 2027. Leave on Tue, 29 Dec 2026, Wed, 30 Dec 2026, Thu, 31 Dec 2026, Tue, 5 Jan 2027.
- 5 days of leave → 13 days off: Fri, 25 Dec 2026 to Wed, 6 Jan 2027. Leave on Tue, 29 Dec 2026, Wed, 30 Dec 2026, Thu, 31 Dec 2026, Tue, 5 Jan 2027, Wed, 6 Jan 2027.
In 2026 this falls during school holidays for state and state-integrated schools, so expect busier roads and accommodation.
Christmas 2027
- No leave → 4 days off: Sat, 25 Dec 2027 to Tue, 28 Dec 2027.
- 1 day of leave → 5 days off: Sat, 25 Dec 2027 to Wed, 29 Dec 2027. Leave on Wed, 29 Dec 2027.
- 2 days of leave → 6 days off: Sat, 25 Dec 2027 to Thu, 30 Dec 2027. Leave on Wed, 29 Dec 2027, Thu, 30 Dec 2027.
- 3 days of leave → 7 days off: Sat, 25 Dec 2027 to Fri, 31 Dec 2027. Leave on Wed, 29 Dec 2027, Thu, 30 Dec 2027, Fri, 31 Dec 2027.
- 4 days of leave → 8 days off: Fri, 24 Dec 2027 to Fri, 31 Dec 2027. Leave on Fri, 24 Dec 2027, Wed, 29 Dec 2027, Thu, 30 Dec 2027, Fri, 31 Dec 2027.
- 5 days of leave → 11 days off: Sat, 18 Dec 2027 to Tue, 28 Dec 2027. Leave on Mon, 20 Dec 2027, Tue, 21 Dec 2027, Wed, 22 Dec 2027, Thu, 23 Dec 2027, Fri, 24 Dec 2027.
In 2027 this falls during school holidays for state and state-integrated schools, so expect busier roads and accommodation.
Try your own dates in the leave planner →
If you work on the day
If a public holiday falls on a day you would otherwise work and you do work, the Holidays Act 2003 entitles you to be paid at least time and a half, and to an alternative holiday (a paid day off in lieu). If you would otherwise work but have the day off, you are paid as usual. Rosters, shift patterns and employment agreements affect the details, so check Employment New Zealand's guidance or talk to your employer.
Weekend dates and Mondayisation
Six holidays can move when they fall on a weekend: New Year's Day, the Day after New Year's Day, Waitangi Day, Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. For someone who does not normally work on that weekend day, the holiday is observed on the following Monday (or Tuesday, when two holidays fall on the same weekend). If you do normally work on the weekend day, the holiday stays on its actual date for you.
Questions people ask
Are shops open on Boxing Day?
Yes. Boxing Day is not a restricted trading day, and many retailers hold sales.
If Christmas Day is on a Saturday, which day is the holiday?
If you would not normally work on Saturday, Christmas is observed on the following Monday, and Boxing Day on the Tuesday.
Ideas for the long weekend
Summer road trips and lake holidays are the classic choice. Book early for ferries and campgrounds, and consider staying put on Christmas Day itself when many attractions close. Start with: Queenstown, Taupō, Auckland to Christchurch road trip.
Plan a trip
Looking for somewhere else? Browse getaway ideas and road trips, or see every long weekend in 2027.
Other holiday guides: New Year · Waitangi Day · Easter · Anzac Day · King's Birthday · Matariki · Labour Day