SYDNEY — Come Friday, April 25, 2025, Australia will pause to mark Anzac Day, the solemn national holiday commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in 1915. Dawn services, wreath-layings, and veterans’ marches will unfold from city centers to small towns, honoring the courage and sacrifice of over 1.5 million Australians who’ve served in wars and peacekeeping missions. But with the day’s deep reverence comes a patchwork of retail restrictions and public events that vary by state. Here’s what’s happening—where to pay respects and what’s open when the bugles fall silent.
In Sydney, the day kicks off at 4:20 a.m. at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, where thousands will gather for the dawn service. Expect a reading of the Ode of Remembrance, the Last Post, and a minute’s silence. By 9 a.m., over 10,000 veterans and serving members will march from Martin Place down Elizabeth Street to the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park. Roads in the CBD will be locked down, with clearways and closures snarling traffic until late afternoon. Public transport’s the way to go—extra trains and buses will run, and veterans in uniform or wearing medals ride free. A sunset service at 5 p.m. at the Cenotaph wraps up the official events. Retail’s a no-go in New South Wales this year; a new law bans non-exempt shops, like supermarkets and department stores, from opening all day. Pharmacies, petrol stations, and small shops get a pass, but don’t count on Coles or Woolies until midnight.
Melbourne’s dawn service starts at 5:30 a.m. at the Shrine of Remembrance, a sprawling site where hymns, wreath-laying, and an address by Victoria’s governor will draw crowds. Large screens will dot the grounds for viewing, and after the ceremony, folks can lay poppies in the Sanctuary from 7 a.m. The veterans’ march rolls out at 8:30 a.m., with vehicles carrying mobility-impaired veterans leading the way down St Kilda Road. In Victoria, shops must stay shuttered until 1 p.m., though cafes, restaurants, and chemists can open earlier. Smaller stores with fewer than 20 staff are exempt, so corner shops might be your best bet for a morning coffee run.
Brisbane’s dawn service hits at 4:28 a.m. at the Shrine of Remembrance in Anzac Square, a nod to the exact time of the Gallipoli landing. The city’s march, expected to draw 10,000 participants and 50,000 spectators, starts at 9:45 a.m. from Adelaide and George Streets. Queensland’s retail rules mirror NSW’s full-day closure for major supermarkets, but Brisbane Airport’s Woolworths can open from 1 p.m. Exempt shops—like newsagents and takeaways—face no restrictions, and RSL clubs will host two-up games and gunfire breakfasts, serving rum-laced coffee to keep the tradition alive.
Canberra, home to the Australian War Memorial, hosts one of the nation’s largest commemorations. The dawn service begins at 5:30 a.m. on the Parade Ground, with readings from soldiers’ letters and a commemorative address by Rear Admiral Matt Buckley. At 7:30 a.m., the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Association leads a ceremony, followed by the National Commemorative Service and RSL ACT Branch Veterans’ March at 9:30 a.m. A Last Post ceremony closes the day at 4:30 p.m. The ACT has no retail restrictions, so businesses can trade all day, though many choose to close out of respect.
Adelaide’s dawn service fires up at 6 a.m. at the South Australian National War Memorial, with smaller services peppered across regional areas. Non-exempt shops in the CBD and certain hardware stores can open from noon to 5 p.m., but other retailers stay closed. Perth’s main dawn service at 5:45 a.m. at the State War Memorial in Kings Park is followed by a gunfire breakfast at Government House Gardens. Western Australia bans most shops from opening all day, though cafes, takeaways, and petrol stations are exempt. Fremantle adds a concert and a football derby to its Anzac Day lineup, with free entry for those in uniform or wearing medals.
Across the country, RSL branches are organizing over 600 events, from silent services to community marches. In smaller towns, check local councils or RSL sub-branches for details—many start as early as 5 a.m. Public transport will run on holiday schedules, with extra services for major ceremonies. Road closures are a given near war memorials, so plan ahead. For those who can’t attend, ABC TV and iview will broadcast the Canberra dawn service live, with other networks airing documentaries and special programming.
Anzac Day 2025 falls on a Friday, making it a public holiday nationwide. No substitute holiday is granted since it’s a weekday. Over 103,000 Australians have died in service, and this day, rooted in the Gallipoli campaign’s heavy toll of 8,700 Anzac lives, remains a cornerstone of national identity. Whether you’re lining the streets or watching from home, the focus is clear: remembrance, respect, and a moment to honor those who never made it back.