Easter Monday

Easter Monday is a public holiday in Australia and will be observed on the 21st of April 2025.

Easter Monday follows Easter Sunday, a Christian festival that, according to tradition, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death. According to the New Testament, this occurred on the third day of his burial in 30AD.

The 2025 Easter long weekend in Australia will be celebrated with several public holidays, starting with Good Friday on the 18th of April, Easter Saturday on the 19th of April, Easter Sunday on April 20th, and Easter Monday on the 21st of April. This creates a 4-day long weekend for Australians, meaning many families use this time to travel and spend time with their family and friends.

Melbournians traditionally celebrate the extended Easter holiday by not eating meat (except fish) on Good Friday and giving chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday.

One of the most notable events on Easter Monday is the Stawell Gift running race, held in Stawell, near the Grampians. The Stawell Gift Foot race draws thousands of visitors to this town every year. The main attraction is a 120-metre race run over an uphill gradient, which offers $40,000 in prize money.

Please note that some retail shops will be closed on Easter Monday as a public holiday. However, larger stores and supermarkets, such as Chadstone, Highpoint, Coles, Woolworths and Dan Murphy’s, open on Easter Monday. Service stations and restaurants remain open as it is a popular time for family get-togethers.

Many attractions in Melbourne remain open on Easter Monday, including the Melbourne Zoo, the Melbourne Skydeck, and the Melbourne Aquarium and Museum.