Ultimate accommodation marketing calendar 2026: Australia and New Zealand
After receiving some great feedback about the events and key dates calendars we put together last year, we’ve decided to combine them into one ultimate accommodation marketing calendar to create a one-stop-shop planning guide for 2026.
Whether guests at your accommodation are planning to witness the race that stops a nation in Melbourne, catch world-class tennis at Auckland’s ASB Classic, or simply make the most of a long weekend, they'll appreciate a well-timed deal as well as your usual outstanding hospitality.
We’ve included mega events, public holidays, days of significance and school holiday dates to help you plan promotional offers, create themed events, and be ready to capitalise on every opportunity that 2026 has to offer!
January
After New Year festivities kick off the summer season, tennis is a key drawcard across Australasia as the ASB Classic tournament returns to Auckland and the Australian Open hits Melbourne – both creating huge demand for fans looking to score accommodation.
Key dates in January
- 1 January – New Year’s Day
- 4 January to 8 January – Fifth Ashes Test (Sydney)
- 5 January to 17 January – ASB Classic (Auckland)
- 12 January to 1 February – Australian Open (Melbourne)
- 16 January and 17 January – Ed Sheeran (Auckland)
- 17 January – Geelong Beer Festival (Geelong)
- 17 January – Jimmy Barnes (Hobart)
- 19 January – Wellington Anniversary Day (Wellington)
- 21 January – Ed Sheeran (Wellington)
- 23 January to 01 February – World Buskers Festival (Christchurch)
- 24 January and 25 January – Ed Sheeran (Christchurch)
- 25 January and 26 January – Festival of Sails (Geelong)
- 26 January – Australia Day
- 29 January – Auckland Anniversary Day (Auckland)
- 29 January – Northland Anniversary Day (Northland)
- 29 January to 7 February – Adam Chamber Music Festival (Nelson)
- 30 January to 1 February – Festival 2026 (Tasmania)
- 31 January – Ed Sheeran (Perth)
- 31 January – Jimmy Barnes (Tanunda)
February
After UFC 325 kicks off the start of the month in Sydney, love is in the air as Valentine's Day arrives. Music lovers flock to Laneway Festival across February as it tours five Australian cities, as well as Auckland in New Zealand, with stellar headliners including Chappell Roan, Wolf Alice and Wet Leg.
Australia’s biggest arts festival The Adelaide Fringe Festival kicks off mid-month, transforming the city into a cultural extravaganza with over 8,000 artists from across the globe performing throughout South Australia. On a more condensed scale, Wellington makes similar moves as it hosts the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts.
Key dates in February
- 1 February – UFC 325 (Sydney)
- 1 February – Ed Sheeran (Perth)
- 2 February – Nelson Anniversary Day (Nelson and Tasman)
- 4 February – OneRepublic (Auckland)
- 5 February – Laneway Festival (Auckland)
- 6 February – Waitangi Day (New Zealand)
- 6 February – OneRepublic (Sydney)
- 6 February to 8 February – Shipwrecked Music & Arts Festival (Auckland)
- 7 February – Jimmy Barnes (Perth)
- 7 February – OneRepublic (Speers Point)
- 7 February – Laneway Festival (Gold Coast)
- 7 February to 9 February – Royal Hobart Regatta (Tasmania)
- 8 February – Laneway Festival (Sydney)
- 4 February – OneRepublic (Gold Coast)
- 12 February – OneRepublic (Brisbane)
- 13 February – Laneway Festival (Melbourne)
- 13 February to 15 February – Ed Sheeran (Sydney)
- 13 February to 3 March – Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (Sydney)
- 14 February – Valentine's Day
- 14 February – Laneway Festival (Adelaide)
- 14 February – Grand Slam Australia (Sydney)
- 14 February – Howlin' Festival (Newcastle)
- 14 February – OneRepublic (Torquay)
- 15 February – OneRepublic (Melbourne)
- 15 February – Laneway Festival (Perth)
- 17 February to 3 March 2026 – Chinese New Year
- 18 February – OneRepublic (Perth)
- 20 February to 22 March – Adelaide Fringe Festival (Adelaide)
- 20 February to 22 February – Ed Sheeran (Brisbane)
- 22 February – Giveon (Auckland)
- 24 February to 15 March – Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts (Wellington)
- 26 February to 28 February – Ed Sheeran (Melbourne)
- 28 February to 1 March – KPMY Sydney Sail Grand Prix Sydney (Sydney)
March
Festival fever flows on through March in Australia, spoiling music fans of all persuasions with Golden Plains touching down in Meredith and Rolling Loud – the largest hip-hop festival in the world – descending on Melbourne and Sydney, not to forget WOMADelaide. Adding to the buzz, Melbourne also plays host to the sold-out Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, revving up the motorsport season with a high-octane opener in the heart of the city.
New Zealand represents the art scene again with 18 days of world-class arts, music and theatre on offer during the Auckland Arts Festival.
Key dates in March
- 2 March – Labour Day (Western Australia)
- 3 March and 5 March – Linkin Park (Brisbane)
- 5 March – Ed Sheeran (Adelaide)
- 5 March to 8 March – Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne)
- 5 March to 22 March – Auckland Arts Festival (Auckland)
- 6 March to 9 March – WOMADelaide
- 7 March – Rolling Loud (Sydney)
- 7 March to 9 March – Golden Plains (Meredith)
- 8 March and 10 March – Linkin Park (Melbourne)
- 8 March – Rolling Loud (Melbourne)
- 8 March – International Women's Day
- 9 March – Labour Day (Victoria)
- 9 March – Taranaki Anniversary Day (Taranaki)
- 10 March – Eight Hours Day (Tasmania)
- 13 March and 14 March – Fat Freddy’s Drop (Sydney)
- 14 March and 15 March – Linkin Park (Sydney)
- 17 March – St Patrick's Day
- 18 March – Linkin Park (Auckland)
- 20 March to 22 March – Fat Freddy’s Drop (Melbourne)
- 21 March – Jimmy Barnes (Sandstone Point)
- 23 March – Otago Anniversary Day (Otago)
- 27 March – International Whiskey Day
- 28 March – Jimmy Barnes (Bowral)
April
April creates perfect conditions for family bookings with its combination of school holidays, Easter weekend and ANZAC Day, offering opportunities to organise Easter egg hunts and activities to keep younger guests entertained.
Easter weekend brings one of the Southern Hemisphere's premier aviation events as Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow roars back into life at Wanaka Airport. The combination of iconic airplanes, modern fighter jets and stunning pyrotechnics typically draw more than 50,000 visitors – many of whom will need a destination to touch down at.
Music lovers congregate south of the Gold Coast for the legendary Byron Bay Bluesfest, with headliners including Split Enz, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Pogues and Aussie music good egg Xavier Rudd. Across the ditch, dance music fans are treated to a historic first as Ultra New Zealand makes its debut, bringing one of the world’s biggest electronic music brands to local shores for the very first time.
Key dates in April
- 2 April to 5 April – Byron Bay Bluesfest (Byron Bay)
- 3 April to 19 April – New Zealand school holidays
- 3 April – Good Friday
- 3 April to 5 April – Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow (Wanaka)
- 4 April – Easter Saturday
- 5 April – Easter Sunday
- 6 April – Easter Monday
- 7 April – Southland Anniversary Day (Southland)
- 10 April – Ultra New Zealand (Wellington)
- 10 April to 19 April – Parrtjima (Alice Springs)
- 17 April – Jimmy Barnes (Christchurch)
- 19 April – Jimmy Barnes (Auckland)
- 22 April – International Mother Earth Day
- 24 April to 9 May – QLD Music Trails: The Outback
- 25 April – ANZAC Day
- 25 April – The ANZAC Day Classic (New Plymouth)
- 25 April – The ANZAC Day Classic (New Plymouth)
- 30 April – Women’s State of Origin Game One (Newcastle)
May
As autumn settles in across Australia and New Zealand, rugby league fever builds with the NRL Magic Round transforming Brisbane into the sport's epicentre as all eight Round 11 matches unfold at Suncorp Stadium.
The set of soul superheroes known as Fat Freddy’s Drop spark off the New Zealand leg of the tour to celebrate their multi-platinum album Based on a True Story and remember the passing of their figurehead DJ Mu (RIP).
Mother's Day offers perfect opportunities for special pamper packages and family-focused promotions for accommodation providers across both countries.
Key dates in May
- 1 May to 3 May – Fat Freddy’s Drop (Wellington)
- 2 May – Mumford & Sons (Auckland)
- 4 May – May Day (Northern Territory)
- 4 May – Labour Day (Queensland)
- 4 May – Star Wars Day
- 9 May to 11 May – Fat Freddy’s Drop (Christchurch)
- 10 May – Mother's Day (Australia and New Zealand)
- 13 May – World Cocktail Day
- 13 May – Deftones (Auckland)
- 14 May – Women's State of Origin Game Two (Brisbane)
- 14 May to 17 May – NRL Magic Round (Brisbane)
- 15 May to 17 May – Fat Freddy’s Drop (Auckland)
- 16 May – six60 (Christchurch)
- 17 May – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
- 22 May to 13 June – Vivid Sydney
- 27 May – Ampol Men's State of Origin Game One (Sydney)
- 28 May – Women's State of Origin Game Three (Gold Coast)
- 29 May – Start of New Zealand ski season (varies per location)
June
Winter officially arrives with King's Birthday long weekends creating strong travel demand across both countries early in the month. The start of the Australian ski season attracts snow-sport enthusiasts to the slopes, while State of Origin Game Two at the MCG attracts huge crowds to Melbourne.
Dark Mofo boosts Hobart’s cultural gravity, while the Noosa Food & Wine Festival showcases Queensland's culinary excellence – both generating significant accommodation requirements in their respective regions.
Key dates in June
- 1 June – King's Birthday (New Zealand)
- 1 June – Western Australia Day
- 1 June – Reconciliation Day (Australian Capital Territory)
- 5 June – World Environment Day
- 6 June – Start of Australian ski season
- 8 June – King's Birthday (Australia, except Queensland and Western Australia)
- 11 June to 14 June – Noosa Food & Wine Festival (Noosa)
- 11 June to 22 June – Dark Mofo (Hobart)
- 17 June – Ampol Men's State of Origin Game Two (Melbourne)
- 29 June to 11 July – The Melbourne Magic Festival (Melbourne)
- 30 June – World Social Media Day
July
Mid-winter brings school holidays and the climax of State of Origin, with the third clash in Brisbane determining the series winner and drawing massive crowds to Queensland.
The Māori New Year Matariki is the last public holiday in New Zealand before Labour Day in October, providing a chance to pause, reflect and spend time with family – offering a valuable long weekend for accommodation providers to capitalise on.
Winter school holidays commence across New Zealand and Australia, filling ski resorts and warmer regional destinations alike as families seek mid-year respites from the routine.
Key dates in July
- 4 July – American Independence Day
- 4 July – All Blacks versus France (Christchurch)
- 4 July – Australia versus Ireland (Sydney)
- 4 July – The Neighbourhood (Auckland)
- 4 July to 19 July – New Zealand school holidays
- 8 July – Ampol Men's State of Origin Game Three (Brisbane)
- 10 July – Matariki (New Zealand)
- 11 July – All Blacks versus Italy (Wellington)
- 11 July – Australia verse France (Brisbane)
- 18 July – All Blacks versus Ireland (Auckland)
- 20 July – World Chess Day
August
Winter continues with some standout regional events as Brisbane’s hosts classic Royal Queensland Show, Hamilton Island Race Week attracts sailing enthusiasts to the Whitsundays and Sydney's City2Surf draws in thousands of runners.
No harm in creating a beer-tasting experience session at your hotel bar on International Beer Day for your guests who aren’t quite so active.
Key dates in August
- 3 August – Picnic Day (Northern Territory)
- 3 August – Bank Holiday (New South Wales)
- 7 August – International Beer Day
- 8 August to 16 August – Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) (Brisbane)
- 9 August – Voltaren City2Surf (Sydney)
- 12 August – Ekka People's Day (Brisbane)
- 15 August to 22 August – Hamilton Island Race Week (Hamilton Island)
September
Spring announces itself across Australia and New Zealand, bringing Father's Day celebrations and the excitement of AFL Grand Final weekend in Victoria.
School holidays begin late in the month, making it an ideal time for accommodation providers to promote family getaways and seasonal packages as warmer weather encourages outdoor adventures and travel throughout both countries.
Key dates in September
- 6 September – Father's Day (Australia and New Zealand)
- 12 September to 11 October – Floriade (Canberra)
- 26 September to 11 October – New Zealand school holidays
- 25 September – AFL Grand Final - public holiday Friday (Victoria)
- 26 September – AFL Grand Final (Melbourne Cricket Ground)
- 26 September – Conan Gray (Auckland)
- 28 September – Canterbury (South) Anniversary Day (South Canterbury)
- 28 September – King's Birthday (Western Australia)
October
The NRL Grand Final kicks off the month in Sydney as spring weather draws more and more guests out of hibernation and long weekends in Australia create opportunities for tempting special offers.
The Alice Springs Masters Games attracts athletes for Australia's longest-running multi-sport event of its kind as people start planning for their summer holidays.
Key dates in October
- International Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- 1 October – International Coffee Day
- 4 October – NRL Grand Final (Sydney)
- 5 October – King's Birthday (Queensland)
- 5 October – Labour Day (ACT, NSW and South Australia)
- 10 October – All Blacks versus Australia (Auckland)
- 10 October to 17 October – Alice Springs Masters Games
- 17 October – All Blacks versus Australia (Sydney)
- 23 October – Hawke’s Bay Anniversary Day (Hawke’s Bay)
- 24 October – 5 Seconds of Summer (Auckland)
- 26 October – Labour Day (public holiday, New Zealand)
- 31 October – Halloween
November
The race that stops a nation returns as Melbourne Cup Day dominates the first week of November, creating major accommodation demand across Victoria. The month closes with the Rugby League World Cup Final in Brisbane – a massive drawcard for sports fans.
Key dates in November
- All month – Movember
- 1 November – World Vegan Day
- 2 November – Marlborough Anniversary Day (Marlborough)
- 2 November - Recreation Day (Northern Tasmania)
- 3 November – Melbourne Cup Day (public holiday in Victoria)
- 11 November – Remembrance Day
- 15 November – Rugby League World Cup Final (Brisbane)
- 30 November – Chatham Islands Anniversary Day (Chatham Islands)
- 30 November – Westland Anniversary Day (Westland)
December
Summer arrives in full force as the festive season dominates December and boosts demand for holiday accommodation. The Boxing Day Test at the MCG sees the Black Caps take on Australia and will be a major drawcard for cricket fans on both sides of the ditch.
School holidays begin mid-month, extending through to late January, making it peak time for families looking to somewhere to stay to get away from it all.
Key dates in December
- 19 December – last day for New Zealand Christmas school holidays to start
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Boxing Day
- 26 December – Boxing Day Test (Black Caps vs Australia) (Melbourne)
- 31 December – New Year’s Eve
School holidays in 2026
The school holidays can be a goldmine for accommodation providers offering family-friendly get-aways. Australian school holiday dates vary by state, while New Zealand school holiday dates are more straightforward.
Let Seekom power your promotions
Seekom's suite of marketing tools makes it easy to capitalise on these opportunities by creating tempting promotional offers to drive bookings.
Roll out promo codes for key seasonal periods and highlight special packages with enticing banners on your booking screens. Then follow up with targeted emails and SMS campaigns. Seekom’s savvy software handles it all to support your success.
Contact our team to discover how our software can optimise your marketing strategy and keep your business humming throughout 2026.
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