Anzac Day events in NSW
This solemn day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
Anzac Day commemorations, services and events take place throughout Australia. In NSW, these are generally organised by RSL NSW and are open to the public to attend.
Anzac Day Sydney Dawn Service and March
The official NSW Anzac Day Dawn Service and March will take place in Sydney on Saturday 25 April 2026.
Dawn Service
Everyone is invited to gather at the Cenotaph in Martin Place for the official NSW Anzac Day Dawn Service, a solemn occasion to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of our servicemen and women in conflicts.
To mark the time at which the first Australians waded ashore Anzac Cove in 1915, the Dawn Service includes a reading of the Ode of Remembrance, Last Post bugle call, a minute's silence, and the laying of wreaths.
Location: The Cenotaph in Martin Place, Sydney
Time: From 4:20am
General public viewing areas: Located in two sections, open from 3:00am:
- Section 1: Entry via George Street. Seating available until capacity is reached. Standing areas also available.
- Section 2: Entry via Castlereagh Street. Standing areas available only.
General public viewing areas will remain open until capacity is reached. Attendees will be subject to security screening upon entry, including bag checks.
Please note: Like previous years, access to the ceremonial area of the NSW Anzac Day Dawn Service is strictly for invited guests. Access for invited guests is via Pitt Street.
For more information, visit the RSL NSW Dawn Service website.
Sydney CBD March
The Anzac Day March sees more than 11,000 current serving members and veterans of the Australian Defence Force march from Martin Place to the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park to pay their respects to the fallen.
Spectators are invited to line Elizabeth Street and show their support for the brave men and women who have served their country and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice or suffered as a result of their service.
Location: Begins at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Martin Place, and finishes at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Liverpool Street.
Time: 9:00am until approximately 12:30pm.
The public can attend the Dawn Service March in person or watch the live broadcast on ABC TV or ABC iview.
For more information, visit the RSL NSW Sydney CBD March website.
Following the March, a Commemoration Service is held next to The Pool of Reflection at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park South at 12:30pm.
Official Anzac Day commemorations will conclude at 5:00pm with a Sunset Service at the Cenotaph. This short ceremony is open to the public.
Anzac Day 2026 Public Holiday
In 2026 and 2027, there will be an additional public holiday on the Monday following Anzac Day (Monday 27 April 2026 and Monday 26 April 2027).
Under the Public Holidays Act 2010, Anzac Day is fixed to 25 April each year, regardless of the day on which it falls. In 2026, Anzac Day will fall on a Saturday and in 2027 it will fall on a Sunday.
The additional holiday on Monday does not replace Anzac Day. It reinforces its importance and significance as well as making it consistent with other major public holidays.
The experience of the additional public holidays will form part of a NSW Government review of the state’s public holidays to commence in 2027.
For more information, visit the NSW Premier's announcement.
Further Information
- Participants and spectators are encouraged to plan ahead, leave the car at home and catch public transport.
- Major roads will be closed and parking restrictions will be in effect throughout the Sydney CBD for most of the day.
- Plenty of additional early morning public transport services will run with major transport interchanges within close walking distance of the Dawn Service and March.
- Please plan your trip ahead of time by visiting transportnsw.info/Anzac-Day.
- For road closure, clearway details and real-time traffic updates, visit livetraffic.com.
- Public transport is free for members and ex-members of the Australian Defence Force in uniform or wearing their medals on Anzac Day. This entitlement also applies to accompanying carers, family and widows of veterans who are carrying an accreditation letter from RSL NSW or present a war widow’s Gold Card.
Dawn Service
Accessible viewing areas
Two designated accessible viewing areas will be available for people with disability/limited mobility and their guests at the following locations:
- Section 1: The Cenotaph in Martin Place (southern side). Entry is via George Street.
- Section 2: Screened area, between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets, Martin Place. Entry is via Castlereagh Street.
To register for seating in one of the accessible viewing areas, please contact Karen Wade on accessibility@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au or call 0407 237 864.
Auslan interpreting:
Auslan interpreting will be available on the large digital screens at the Dawn Service to facilitate communication for those that require this service.
Live Captioning:
Live captioning will be available during the Dawn Service. Guests can access the captions by tapping the QR code in the Order of Service booklet or by scanning the QR codes displayed on signage throughout the event.
Drop-off and pick-up zones:
Accessible drop-off & pick-up points are available at the following locations:
- Wynyard Street, Southern Side (off York Street)
- 197 Macquarie Street at Martin Place (front of St Stephen’s Church)
- 210 Pitt Street (eastern side)
These locations are designated no-parking zones or special event clearways. Drivers using these areas must depart immediately after dropping off their passengers.
Accessible amenities:
Portable, wheelchair-accessible toilets will be available on George, Pitt, and Castlereagh Streets. Additional accessible toilets are also located at CBD train stations.
Anzac Day March
Accessible viewing areas:
A designated accessible viewing area is available for people with disability/limited mobility and their guests in front of the Sheraton Grand Hotel on the western side of Elizabeth Street.
To register for seating in the accessible viewing area, please contact Karen Wade on accessibility@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au or call 0407 237 864.
Drop-off and pick-up zones:
Accessible drop-off & pick-up points are available at the following locations:
- 197 Macquarie Street (Martin Place) – Western side, in front of St Stephen’s Church
- 210 Pitt Street (near Market Street) – Eastern side, outside Stockland Piccadilly
- Commonwealth Street (near Clarke Street) – Western side
These locations are no parking zones or special event clearways, so persons utilising these areas will be required to move on as soon as they have dropped off their passengers.
Accessible amenities:
Portable accessible toilets that consider wheelchair users will be located at 201 Elizabeth St out the front of Starbucks and across the road on Elizabeth St (Hyde Park side); otherwise there are wheelchair accessible toilets at the CBD train stations.
- Before attending Dawn Services, have something to eat and drink plenty of water to avoid feeling faint.
- As bag checks are required upon entry we highly recommend bags are kept to a minimum, this will assist in a faster screening process.
- Attendees are encouraged to dress for the conditions and take simple precautions to protect their health on Anzac Day.
- This includes wearing a hat, sunglasses, weather appropriate loose-fitting garments and sunscreen in hot weather. Find out more information on how to protect yourself in the heat.
- To help protect yourself and those at higher risk of severe illness, please stay at home and do not attend Anzac Day events if you have cold or flu symptoms.
- Dress should reflect the dignity of the occasion. Business attire is appropriate.
- Veterans and serving personnel are to wear their medals on the left chest.
- Many people choose to remember deceased relatives by also wearing medals, however, please wear these on the right-hand side of your chest.
- For more information please visit the Australian Defence website.
- The Australian National Flag is to be flown at half-mast from sunrise to 12:00pm on Anzac Day.
- During individual Anzac Day ceremonies, the Australian National Flag is to be half-mast and then raised to the peak during the playing of Reveille at the conclusion of the service.
- Please note, Reveille is only played at a Dawn Service, all other times Rouse is to be played (with the exception of the Royal Australian Navy).
- For more information on flag protocol can be found on the Australian National Flag Protocol website.
- Rosemary grows wild on the Gallipoli peninsula and a sprig of rosemary is worn every Anzac Day as a symbol of remembrance.
- To purchase lapel pins and other commemorative items for Anzac Day, please visit the Anzac Memorial online shop.
- If you would like to secure Rosemary for your Anzac Day event, please contact Sydney Legacy on 02 9248 9000 or enquiries@sydney-legacy.com.au.