📅 holiday

Launceston Cup

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

— days to go

On the last Wednesday each February a holiday is held for the Launceston Cup – a holiday for the public service in most of the region. In 2027, the Launceston Cup holiday falls on Wednesday 24 February. The holiday will be on Wednesday 23 February in 2028. All Day – Municipal areas of Break O’Day, Dorset,George Town, Glamorgan-Spring Bay (north of and including Cranbrook), Launceston excluding Launceston City centre and suburbs specified below, Meander Valley excluding suburbs and townships specified below, Northern Midlands, Southern Midlands north of but not including Oatlands, West Tamar excluding townships specified below. From 11am – Launceston City centre and the following suburbs and townships Alanvale, Blackstone Heights, East Launceston, Elphin, Franklin Village, Glen Dhu, Inveresk, Invermay, Killafaddy, Kings Meadows, Mayfield, Mowbray, Mowbray Heights, Newnham, Newstead, North Riverside, Norwood, Prospect, Prospect Vale, Punchbowl, Ravenswood, Riverside, Rocherlea, St Leonards, Sandhill, South Launceston, Summerhill, Trevallyn, Vermont, Waverley,West Launceston, West Riverside, Youngtown. The Launceston racetrack, Tasman Park, is three kilometres from downtown Launceston. The Launceston Cup in the second-richest Tasmania race with stakes hovering around $300,000. The race has run since 1865 when it was a longer race of 2,600 metres. Today it is 200 metres shorter. It is run by the Tasmanian Turf Club and entertains a crowd of around 16,000. The day is a huge day in the social life of many Tasmanians. Along with the large number of happy punters, many business people entertain their guests at the corporate marquee, or they hire their own private marquee. Either way, these are great ways to eat and drink and enjoy a race day while networking with clients and partners. The availability of pre-purchased discounts and seniors’ discounts makes the day affordable for everyone. On the day, guests can access the track via the free shuttles that run from various parts of Launceston. And the patrons who drive are able to park in the centre of the track and in other car parks. As with most cup days around Australia, fashion takes an unavoidable front seat, after the horses of course. And Launceston Cup Day holds a competition that has prizes such as travel and cash for men and women fashions.

History

The Launceston Cup traces its origins to the year 1865, when the Tasmanian Turf Club established the race as a prestigious thoroughbred event on the Launceston racecourse. The inaugural race covered a distance of 2,600 metres, making it a test of exceptional endurance for the horses and jockeys of the era. This race was conceived at a time when Launceston was a thriving colonial city whose economy was built on pastoral wealth, wool exports, and agricultural prosperity — foundations that also supported a robust culture of equestrian sport among the colonial gentry. The early races attracted considerable public interest and drew attendance from across Tasmania, establishing the Launceston Cup as a signature social and sporting occasion in the colony calendar. Over the following decades, the race distance was reduced by 200 metres to its present standard, a change that reflected evolving racing conventions and the preferences of modern racegoers, though the prestige of the event remained undiminished. By the mid-20th century, the Launceston Cup had become Tasmania second-richest race, with prize money fluctuating around the $300,000 mark, attesting to its national standing. The race has been contested annually without interruption for more than 160 years, surviving two world wars, the Great Depression, and numerous changes in racing fashion, making it one of the oldest continuously run sporting events in Australia.

How It's Celebrated

Launceston Cup Day is one of Tasmania most anticipated social and sporting events, transforming the Launceston racecourse into a vibrant hub of fashion, dining, and excitement. The day draws a crowd of approximately 16,000 attendees who come to watch the prestigious race, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and partake in the social rituals that have made the event a cornerstone of the Tasmanian calendar. Fashion takes an unmistakable front-row seat at Launceston Cup Day — the event is renowned for its fashion competitions that award generous prizes, including travel experiences and cash rewards, to both men and women whose attire stands out among the crowd. Women often don elaborate hats and outfits inspired by spring racing carnival fashion, while men frequently appear in sharp suits. Corporate hospitality is a major feature of the day, with business professionals entertaining clients and partners in private marquees or premium corporate suites, combining networking with entertainment in an atmosphere of refined leisure. Numerous dining options, from gourmet picnic hampers to racecourse food vendors, ensure guests are well-fed throughout the day. Free shuttle services operate from multiple points across Launceston, and those who drive can access dedicated parking areas, making attendance convenient for all. Many attendees also take advantage of early-bird and seniors discount packages, ensuring the day remains accessible to a broad cross-section of the community.

Other Years

2027 Wed

24 Feb

2028 Wed

23 Feb

2025 Wed

26 Feb

Countries

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📅 holiday Dec 26

2nd Day of Christmas

The people of the Netherlands do not just celebrate Christmas on December 25. Christmas celebrations here begin on December 5, the eve of the feast of St. Nicholas In 2026, Christmas falls on Friday 25 December. The holiday will be on Saturday 25 December in 2027. The saint was a bishop in the fourth century. One story about him claims he inherited money from his wealthy parents and used his wealth to help the poor. One legend tells how he helped a needy family. The three young girls in the family were unable to get married because their parents were too poor to provide dowries. St. Nicholas heard of their misfortune and dropped a bag of gold down their chimney to pay for the girls’ dowries. St. Nicholas’ generosity is commemorated in the Netherlands today. He is known as Sinterklaas, and he is credited with giving presents to children on December 5. Sinterklaas lives in Spain, and he arrives in Amsterdam by boat on December 5. He rides a white horse in a parade through the streets. Children put carrots and hay for the horse in their shoes. They leave their shoes near a fireplace or on a windowsill. Sinterklaas leaves presents in their shoes. December 5 is also a night for parties to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. Children receive presents from Sinterklaas at these parties. Other activities at the parties include games and treasure hunts. Biscuits made with marzipan or cinnamon are served for refreshments. The Netherlands’ Christmas celebration continues through the month of December. Houses are decorated with evergreens. People put up trees in their homes decorated with candles, bells and ribbons. Trees are put up in the city squares and decorated. Streets are adorned with strings of lights shaped like stars or bells. Food stalls in the streets sell seasonal sweet treats such as oliebollen and appelflappen. Oliebollen are similar to donuts, and appelflappen are apple beignets. People can hear Christmas music played in the streets. Red and green decorations are used in department stores. Children receive most of their presents during the celebrations of St. Nicholas Day, so Christmas Day is usually spent enjoying the company of family and eating. Children might hang up stockings and receive a few more presents. Some people attend church on Christmas Eve or Christmas. Christmas Day may begin with a brunch of smoked salmon and fancy rolls. The last meal of the day is a dinner that may include pork, goose or game meats. Special dishes served for these meals include kerststol for brunch and gourmetten for dinner. Kerststol is a loaf with fruits. Gourmetten is made by placing a small grill on the table. People can grill small pieces of meat and vegetables. The day ends with people gathering around the fireplace to sing carols and tell stories. This day is known as First Christmas Day in the Netherlands. December 26 is Second Christmas Day. People dine on leftovers or go out to eat. They may attend concerts. If the weather permits, they might spend time in an outdoor activity such as ice skating.

NL AW SX +15

📅 holiday Apr 27

Abolition Day

The island of Réunion celebrates Abolition Day on 20 December each year. This holiday commemorates the day in 1848 when slavery was made illegal in the colony of Réunion by the French colonial government. In 2026, Abolition Day falls on Sunday 20 December. The holiday will be on Monday 20 December in 2027. Ever since Réunion was taken by France in 1642, it had become a major trade stop en route to India and the East Indies. It soon also became the site of many coffee plantations, and slaves were brought in to work those plantations. Although some came from Africa, China, and India under better terms than slavery, all non-European inhabitants were made slaves in 1690. When slavery was ended on the island in 1848, it created a labour shortage, which then led to indentured servants immigrating from other lands. This further increased the ethnic diversity of an island already quite diverse. Today, all citizens of Réunion look back to abolition as a key moment in the country’s history, and there are many cultural celebrations held all over the island on Abolition Day.

RE MQ GF +2

📅 holiday Nov 1

All Saints' Day

All Saints’ Day is a holiday in New Caledonia every 1 November. On this day, Christian believers remember known and unknown saints of past centuries. All Saints’ Day is a significant occasion on the traditional Christian calendar, and is observed by millions of Christians around the world. In 2026, All Saints’ Day falls on Sunday 1 November. The holiday will be on Monday 1 November in 2027. About half the population of New Caledonia are Roman Catholics, while most of the rest of Protestants. The Protestants are largely Evangelical and generally they do not significantly celebrate All Saints’ Day. All Saints’ Day is a somewhat low-key holiday in New Caledonia. But people often do get the day off work, and they will typically attend special mass services. Many also take the time to decorate the graves of loved ones with flowers and to pray for and think of their deceased relatives.

NC MQ HT +42

📅 holiday Nov 2

All Saints' Day Holiday

All Saints’ Day is a holiday in Burundi every 1 November. On this day, Christian believers remember known and unknown saints of past centuries. All Saints’ Day is a significant occasion on the traditional Christian calendar, and is observed by millions of Christians around the world. In 2026, All Saints' Day falls on Sunday 1 November. The holiday will be on Monday 1 November in 2027. Around two-thirds of Burundians are Roman Catholic, and most of the rest are Anglican or affiliated with another Protestant denomination. That means that the large majority of Burundi’s population celebrates All Saints’ Day, which is also a public holiday. The first day of November has been a Catholic feast day for centuries, having been set aside as a day to honour Christian saints and martyrs who lacked their own separate feast day by Pope Gregory IV in A.D. 837. German, Belgian, and English influences ultimately brought these traditions to Burundi during the 1800’s and 1900’s. Special church services are held on All Saints’ Day, during which the Beatitudes are traditionally read. Many also leave flowers on the graves of deceased relatives or light candles in their windows.

BI CO BF +4