Anzac Day 2026 will be observed across Australia on Saturday, April 25, with dawn services, veterans’ marches and commemorative ceremonies planned in every capital city. The day will mark 111 years since the Gallipoli landings, when Australian and New Zealand troops came ashore at Anzac Cove in 1915.
For many Australians, the Dawn Service remains the most powerful part of Anzac Day. Before sunrise, communities gather in silence at cenotaphs, shrines and memorials to remember those who served in war, peacekeeping and military operations. Services usually include the Last Post, the Ode of Remembrance, wreath-laying and a minute’s silence.
The 2026 commemorations will include major public gatherings in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Hobart. Several events will also be broadcast live for people unable to attend in person, while major city centres are expected to have road closures, special event clearways and changed transport conditions.
Anzac Day 2026 dawn service times and city schedule
Sydney: Sydney’s Dawn Service will begin at 4.20am at the Cenotaph in Martin Place. The timing is significant because it reflects the early morning landing at Gallipoli. Large crowds are expected in the CBD, and visitors should allow extra time for security screening, restricted access and traffic changes around Martin Place.
The Sydney Anzac Day march is expected later in the morning through the CBD, with public viewing areas along the route. Drivers, taxi operators and rideshare users should plan carefully, as Point to Point Transport NSW has previously advised that Anzac Day road closures and special event clearways apply across key Sydney CBD roads, including areas around Martin Place and the march route. For Sydney traffic updates, visitors can check the Point to Point Transport NSW Anzac Day road closures notice.
Canberra: The Australian War Memorial will host the national program. Pre-dawn readings from wartime letters and diaries will begin at 4.30am, followed by the Dawn Service from 5.30am to 6am on the Parade Ground. The Commemorative Area will open to the public from 6.30am to 7.30am. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Association Commemorative Ceremony is scheduled for 7.30am, before the National Commemorative Service and RSL ACT Branch Veterans’ March from 9.30am to about 11.30am. The Memorial galleries will open at 1pm, with free entry and no ticket requirement. The Last Post Ceremony will be held at 4.30pm.
Melbourne: Melbourne’s Dawn Service will take place at the Shrine of Remembrance from 5.30am, with the ceremony expected to finish around 6.30am. The Shrine precinct is one of the country’s largest Anzac Day gathering points. After the dawn ceremony, members of the public are usually able to enter the Sanctuary and lay a poppy. The veterans’ march traditionally travels along St Kilda Road toward the Shrine.
Brisbane: Brisbane’s Dawn Service will begin at 4.28am at Anzac Square in the city centre. Organisers generally advise people to arrive early because of heavy crowds, road closures and limited access around the square. The march route is expected to pass through the CBD later in the morning, with Adelaide Street and surrounding roads commonly used for Anzac Day commemorations.
Adelaide: Adelaide’s main Dawn Service will be held at the South Australian National War Memorial on North Terrace from 6am. The service follows the Anzac Eve Youth Vigil, a distinctive South Australian tradition where young people maintain an overnight guard of honour. The Anzac Day march later moves through central Adelaide, with North Terrace remaining a key viewing area.
Perth: Perth’s Dawn Service will run from 5.45am to 7am at the State War Memorial in Kings Park. Large LED screens are expected across the precinct to help attendees follow the ceremony. Public transport is strongly recommended, as road closures and parking restrictions are usually in place around Kings Park on Anzac Day. The city march traditionally continues later through central Perth, including St Georges Terrace.
Darwin: Darwin’s commemorations will begin at the Cenotaph in Bicentennial Park, where crowds are expected from 5.30am. Veterans will march from the Darwin RSL at 5.45am, with the Dawn Service beginning at 6am. The location carries added meaning because of Darwin’s wartime history and the city’s role during the Second World War.
Hobart: Hobart’s Dawn Service will be held at the Hobart Cenotaph in Queens Domain from 6am. The memorial’s position overlooking the Derwent River gives the ceremony a quiet and reflective setting. The main Anzac Day parade is expected later in the morning along Macquarie Street, drawing veterans, service groups and members of the public into the city centre.
How to attend Anzac Day 2026 services safely
Anyone attending a Dawn Service should prepare for cold, dark and crowded conditions. Many ceremonies are standing events held before sunrise, and some memorial grounds may be uneven or slippery. Warm clothing, comfortable footwear and early arrival are recommended, especially in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth where large crowds are expected.
Public transport will be the best option in most cities. Road closures, changed traffic conditions, security checkpoints and parking restrictions are common around Anzac Day service locations and march routes. In Sydney, special event clearways are strict no-parking zones, and vehicles left in clearway areas may be towed. Taxi and rideshare pick-up points may also change near road-closure zones, so passengers should use locations outside restricted areas where possible.
Families attending with children or older relatives should check local transport updates before travelling. Those going to early morning services should also carry essentials such as water, warm layers and a phone with enough battery, particularly if they plan to stay for later marches or commemorative programs.
Those unable to attend in person will still be able to follow key ceremonies through official broadcasts and livestreams. The Canberra Dawn Service and National Commemorative Service are expected to be carried by ABC TV and ABC iview, while some state services may also be streamed through local RSL or memorial channels.
Anzac Day 2026 will again bring Australians together from before dawn until late afternoon. Whether standing at Martin Place, the Australian War Memorial, the Shrine of Remembrance, Anzac Square, Kings Park or a local memorial, the day remains centred on remembrance, respect and national reflection.
Anzac Day 2026 road closures and parade route disruptions
Extensive road closures and traffic restrictions will be in place across major Australian cities from the early hours of Anzac Day, particularly around dawn service locations and parade routes. In Sydney, key CBD areas including Martin Place, Elizabeth Street and surrounding roads will operate under special event clearways, with strict no-parking rules and active enforcement. Similar traffic diversions are expected in Melbourne along St Kilda Road, Brisbane around Adelaide Street, Adelaide’s North Terrace, Perth’s St Georges Terrace and Hobart’s Macquarie Street. Authorities advise commuters and visitors to rely on public transport where possible and check official updates before travelling, as access points, road closures and route conditions may change throughout the day.
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