Tell customers in four places, not one
A sign on the door only reaches people who have already turned up. Most people check your hours on their phone first, so put your holiday hours everywhere they look:
- Google Business Profile. Add special hours for every changed day. This is what Google Maps and "near me" searches show, and it matters most.
- Your website. A short banner at the top of the home page, or a line next to your normal hours.
- Instagram and Facebook. Post the square version of your sign and pin it until the new year.
- The door and the counter. Print the A4 poster two to three weeks ahead so regulars see it before the break.
Christmas and New Year public holidays 2026–27
Christmas Day is Friday 25 December 2026 and New Year's Day is Friday 1 January 2027. Boxing Day lands on a Saturday, so most states add Monday 28 December.
| State | Thu 24 Dec | Sat 26 Dec | Mon 28 Dec | Thu 31 Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW, VIC, WA, ACT | Normal day | Boxing Day | Additional public holiday | Normal day |
| QLD | Public holiday from 6pm | Boxing Day | Additional public holiday | Normal day |
| SA | Public holiday from 7pm | Proclamation Day | Additional public holiday | Public holiday from 7pm |
| NT | Public holiday from 7pm | Boxing Day | Additional public holiday | Public holiday from 7pm |
| TAS | Normal day | Normal day | Boxing Day | Normal day |
| New Zealand | Normal day | Boxing Day | Boxing Day (observed) | Normal day |
New Zealand also has 2 January (the day after New Year's Day), which falls on a Saturday in 2027, so it is observed on Monday 4 January. Dates were checked on 22 October 2026 against state government listings. Penalty rates and trading rules depend on your state and award, so check Fair Work or Employment New Zealand before you set your roster.
What to write on a holiday hours sign
- Every changed day, with the day name. "Mon 28 Dec: Closed" beats "closed for the public holiday", because people don't know which day that is.
- When you're back to normal. "All other days: 7am – 3pm" tells people the rest of the week is safe.
- One warm line. A thank-you to your regulars goes a long way at the end of the year.
More on getting found: Google Business Profile and your website and showing up in "near me" searches.