Unlike Anzac Day, Good Friday or Christmas Day, the King’s Birthday public holiday is not a restricted trading day in NSW, meaning most shops, supermarkets and shopping centres will be open on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The King’s Birthday long weekend in 2026 runs from Saturday, June 6 to Monday, June 8, with the public holiday observed on the Monday. The King’s Birthday long weekend also marks the start of the ski season across NSW and Victoria, and in Sydney, it will also be the last full weekend of Vivid Sydney, with the festival closing on Saturday June 13. So if you want to do Vivid on a Sunday night and sleep in on Monday, this is the weekend to do it.
While Queensland and WA, celebrate the King’s Birthday later in the year, NSW, VIC, ACT, TAS, SA, will all be enjoying a public holiday on that second Monday in June, which, thanks to it not being designated a “restricted trading day”, most major chains and shops will be open but perhaps with slightly reduced hours. That said, most retailers will operate on public holiday hours so it’s always best to check ahead that your favourite shop or cafe will be open before you make the trip.
And while all the major attractions will be open too, be aware that admission prices to Sydney’s top spots can be more expensive on public holidays.
Before we get into what’s open on the King’s Birthday long weekend, does anyone else still call it the Queen’s Birthday long weekend or is that just me?
Supermarkets
Good news if you need to do a last-minute food shop – your favourite supermarkets will be open with normal (or slightly reduced) opening hours.
Woolworths
All Woolworths stores will be open as usual. Make sure to check your local store trading hours, though, as they can differ
Coles
All Coles stores will be open as usual on King’s Birthday, operating under normal trading hours. Use the Coles store locator to confirm your local store’s hours.
Aldi
Aldi stores have varied trading hours across NSW, and while there’s no change to standard trading hours flagged, Aldi recommends checking your local store before you go.
Department Stores & Shopping Centres
These stores will still be open for you to peruse on Monday.
Big W
Stores are open but could be subject to restricted hours. Customers are advised to check the Big W website for individual hours.
Kmart
All stores will be open and trading hours will remain unchanged except at Belconnen, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin in NSW, which will close at 8pm on Monday.
Target
All stores are open with reduced trading hours.
Westfield Shopping Centres
Most Westfield shopping centres across Sydney will be open as usual, although on Monday, they will typically operate under weekend-style hours. Centres in Eastgardens, Hornsby, Liverpool, Mt Druitt, Penrith and Warringah Mall will trade from 10am to 5pm, while Westfield Bondi Junction, Burwood, Chatswood, Hurstville, Miranda and Parramatta will trade from 10am to 6pm. Westfield Sydney and Sydney Central Plaza will trade from 10am-7pm.
Some stores within individual centres may choose not to open.
Bottleshops
Pubs, bars and clubs across NSW remain open on King’s Birthday and so do most bottleshops.
Dan Murphy’s
Dan Murphy’s stores are open, typically with reduced hours opening between 10am and closing between 6pm-7pm.
Liquorland
You might find a handful of stores will be closed across NSW as they have done in previous years so check opening hours before you make a special trip on the Monday. Otherwise, most stores will operate on weekend hours.
BWS
BWS stores will be open between 9am and 10am and close between 6pm and 7pm.
Other:
Officeworks
Stores will be open between 9am and 6pm on Monday.
IKEA
Thinking about doing some home improvements? IKEA Belrose store will be open from 10am–5pm, while Marsden Park and Rhodes will be open from 10am–7pm. Tempe will be open from 10am–9pm.
Bunnings
All Bunnings stores are expected to be open on the King’s Birthday and public holiday trading hours will apply. Rozelle and Randwick will open 8am–6pm, while Alexandria and Eastgardens will open 7am–7pm.
