Short answer: New Zealand has four public holidays over Christmas and New Year 2026–27: Christmas Day (Friday 25 December), Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December, or Monday 28 December), New Year's Day (Friday 1 January) and the day after (Saturday 2 January, or Monday 4 January). Most shops close on Christmas Day. Explera DMC New Zealand plans group days around these dates.
The weeks from Christmas to the end of January are also New Zealand's domestic holiday peak, so a group travelling then shares roads, hotels and attractions with New Zealanders on holiday.
Which days are public holidays?
Employment New Zealand lists these dates:
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026.
- Boxing Day: Saturday 26 December 2026, or Monday 28 December 2026.
- New Year's Day: Friday 1 January 2027.
- Day after New Year's Day: Saturday 2 January 2027, or Monday 4 January 2027.
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, it is observed on the following Monday for people who do not normally work on that weekend day. This is called "Mondayising". So Monday 28 December and Monday 4 January can also run like public holidays for some businesses.
What is open on Christmas Day?
- Most shops close. Christmas Day is a restricted shop trading day. Only some shops may open, such as dairies, petrol stations, pharmacies, and restaurants and cafés, plus shops in areas with an exemption.
- Not every activity runs. Some operators and restaurants close on Christmas Day or run shorter hours. We confirm each one before it goes into a programme.
- Plan the day. A free day on 25 December can leave clients with little to do in a small town. A scenic drive, a walk or a booked lunch works better.
Do prices change on public holidays?
Some cafés and restaurants add a public holiday surcharge. The Commerce Commission says a surcharge must be shown clearly to customers before they buy, for example on a sign at the entrance or the counter. Prices booked through us for group meals are confirmed in advance.
How we plan groups over the holidays
- Hold space early. Christmas to the end of January is when rooms, coaches and activities sell out first.
- Check each holiday date. We confirm opening hours for every activity, restaurant and attraction on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January, and on the Mondayised days.
- Allow for busy roads. Holiday traffic is heavy around the main towns and beaches. We add time to coach days.
- Brief clients. We tell clients which days may be quieter, and that some cafés may charge a holiday surcharge.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We run group tours, FIT programmes and coach and private transfers through the summer holidays. See our month-by-month guide, our 2027 school and public holidays guide and our Rhythm and Vines guide for New Year.
FAQ
Is Boxing Day 2026 a Monday holiday in New Zealand? Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December 2026. For people who do not normally work on a Saturday, it is observed on Monday 28 December.
Are shops open on Christmas Day in New Zealand? Most are closed. Christmas Day is a restricted shop trading day, and only some shops, such as dairies, petrol stations, pharmacies, and restaurants and cafés, may open.
When is the day after New Year's Day holiday in 2027? It falls on Saturday 2 January 2027. For people who do not normally work on a Saturday, it is observed on Monday 4 January.
Can restaurants charge more on public holidays? Some cafés and restaurants add a public holiday surcharge. The Commerce Commission says it must be shown clearly to customers before they buy.
Is Christmas a good time to send groups to New Zealand? It is summer and a popular time, but it is also the domestic peak. Space should be held early and each holiday date planned carefully.
Sources
- Public holidays and anniversary dates, Employment New Zealand
- Restricted shop trading days, Employment New Zealand
- Dishing up a surcharge with your hot cross bun, Commerce Commission
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
