- Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance held on April 25.
- Commemorations begin with dawn services across Sydney.
- One of the biggest events is the Anzac Day march through Sydney’s CBD, with thousands of people lining the streets to pay tribute to Diggers.
- Playing two-up is another popular way to mark the day at pubs throughout the city.
Anzac Day is one of the most revered dates on the Australian calendar. It was first established to honour those members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) who served and gave their lives in WWI. It has now grown to acknowledge and remember all servicemen and women and the sacrifices they’ve made in times of war and peace and has become entwined with Australia’s national identity.
Held on April 25, the anniversary of the start of the first major military campaign by ANZACs in 1915 when they landed at Gallipoli, Turkey, Anzac Day begins with a sombre tone at dawn services, both big and small. But it soon drifts into a more celebratory occasion with the Anzac Day March through Sydney’s city streets and shifts into the pubs and clubs for games of two up and a drink or two.
Read on to find out how you can mark the day and make it both memorable and meaningful.
Where are Anzac Day Dawn Services held in Sydney?
The official NSW Anzac Day Dawn Service takes place at The Cenotaph, Martin Place. It begins at 4.20am, with thousands attending the moving ceremony, featuring the recitation of the Ode of Remembrance, Last Post bugle call, a minute’s silence, a Reveille played on a bugle and the laying of wreaths.
General public viewing areas will remain open until capacity is reached. Tickets are not required.
However, if you can’t make it into the city or prefer to be part of a community commemoration, smaller dawn services are held throughout Sydney and the intimate gatherings are just as moving as their larger counterpart. Many local Returned Services League (RSL) sub-branches and councils hold their own dawn services. To find a dawn service or commemoration event near you, your local RSL is usually the best place to start.
Some of the other well-attended dawn services and commemorations include:
- Bondi Junction Waverley RSL and Waverley Council
Where: Waverley Park, Birrell Street, Bondi Junction.
When: Service starts at 7.45am, at the Memorial in Waverley Park. - Chatswood RSL
Garden of Remembrance, Albert Avenue, Chatswood
When: 4.45am - Harbord RSL
Where: Harbord Diggers, Evans Street, Freshwater NSW, Australia
When: 7.30am - City of Penrith RSL
Memory Park, Penrith NSW, Australia
When: 5am
Where is the Anzac Day March held?
More than 10,000 veterans, their descendants and current members of the Australian Defence Force will march through Sydney’s CBD on Anzac Day. Part commemoration, part celebration, thousands of people line the streets to cheer on those marching and pay their respects to those who no longer can. The March begins at 9am at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Martin Place, finishing at Liverpool Street at approximately 12.30pm.
Following the March, a commemoration service is held next to The Pool of Remembrance at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park South at 12.30pm.
Where can I play two-up on Anzac Day?
Anzac Day is one of only three days where playing two-up is not illegal (the others are Remembrance Day on November 11, and Victory in the Pacific Day on August 15) so if you fancy having a crack, now is the time to do it. Two-up, played by Australian soldiers amid gunfire in the trenches of WWI, has become synonymous with Anzac Day and for many it’s the highlight of the day. Even if you’re not playing, just watching the frenetic energy of a hectic ring is entertainment enough.
For the uninitiated, two-up is a simple gambling game involving tossing two coins from a wooden paddle. Players bet on whether the coins land on two heads, two tails, or “odds” (one of each), with the goal of the spinner throwing heads to win.
Most of Sydney’s best pubs and RSL clubs host two-up games which generally kick off after the March. Head to your local watering hole or check out one of these top spots.
- Harbord Diggers – Two-up on the Ocean Terrace
Where: 88 Evans St, Freshwater
When: 12pm-6pm (Entry is free but you need to get a ticket here)
- The Courthouse Hotel
Where: 202 Australia Street, Newtown
When: From 12pm in the beer garden
- The Bank Hotel
Where: 324 King St, Newtown
When: in the beer garden from 12pm
- The Clock Hotel
Where: 470 Crown St, Surry Hills
When: From 12pm
What else is on on Anzac Day?
The Anzac Day Sunset Service
The day draws to a close with a short Sunset Service back at The Cenotaph in Martin Place. The ceremony involves the lowering of the flags and is accompanied by the NSW Police Band and marks the end of the offical Anzac Day commemorations in Sydney. The service is open to the public and his ceremony is a short service with the lowering of the flags and is accompanied by the NSW Police Band. The Sunset Service brings to a conclusion the official Anzac Day Commemorations in Sydney. This service is open to the public.
NRL Anzac Day Cup
A highlight of the NRL calendar is the ANZAC round and the big clash between historic clubs the Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons has become a tradition. The match is often a sell-out, as it was last year when more than 41,000 fans packed into Allianz Stadium. Tickets are now on sale now via Ticketmaster.
Is there a public holiday for Anzac Day in 2026?
Yes! This year Anzac Day falls on a Saturday so there will be a special public holiday on Monday, April 27.
