Canterbury Anniversary Day 2026 is Friday 13 November. In 2027 it's Friday 12 November. Most people call it Show Day, because it's the Friday of the Canterbury A&P Show in Christchurch, and it gives North and Central Canterbury a long weekend.
| Year | Canterbury Anniversary (Show Day) | South Canterbury Anniversary |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday 13 November | Monday 28 September |
| 2027 | Friday 12 November | Monday 27 September |
| 2028 | Friday 17 November | Monday 25 September |
The 2026 and 2027 dates are Employment New Zealand's. The 2028 dates follow the same rules.
Why it's a Friday, not a Monday
The actual anniversary of the province is 16 December. Most anniversary days are moved to the nearest Monday, but Canterbury's is observed on the second Friday after the first Tuesday in November, so it lines up with Show Day.
In 2026 the first Tuesday in November is the 3rd. The first Friday after it is the 6th, and the second is the 13th.
Who gets the day off
Show Day is the anniversary day for North and Central Canterbury, including Christchurch. South Canterbury, around Timaru, has its own anniversary day instead: Dominion Day, the fourth Monday in September.
The boundary between the two isn't always obvious. Employment New Zealand says to check with your local council if you're not sure which anniversary day applies where you work.
It's where your work is based that counts, not where you live. If you live in Christchurch but work for an Auckland-based employer, check your employment agreement.
Working on Show Day
A provincial anniversary day is one of the public holidays in the Holidays Act 2003, so the public holiday rules apply. If it's a day you'd normally work and you work it, you're paid at least time and a half and you get an alternative holiday (a day in lieu) to take later. If it's a day you'd normally work and you don't work it, you get the day off on your usual pay.
Count the days for a project or notice period with the working days calculator. Pick Canterbury to take Show Day out.
The holidays around it
| Holiday | Date | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Day | Mon 26 Oct 2026 | Everywhere |
| Marlborough Anniversary Day | Mon 2 Nov 2026 | Marlborough |
| Canterbury Anniversary (Show Day) | Fri 13 Nov 2026 | North and Central Canterbury |
| Westland and Chatham Islands anniversary days | Mon 30 Nov 2026 | Westland, Chatham Islands |
| Christmas Day | Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Everywhere |
After Labour Day, Show Day is the last public holiday in Christchurch before Christmas.
See every public holiday and anniversary day for 2026 and 2027, with a countdown.
Open the public holidays tool →Common questions
When is Canterbury Anniversary Day 2026?
Friday 13 November 2026.
When is Show Day 2027?
Friday 12 November 2027.
Is Show Day a public holiday in Christchurch?
Yes. It's Canterbury's provincial anniversary day, which counts as a public holiday under the Holidays Act for people whose work is based in North and Central Canterbury.
Does Timaru get Show Day?
No. South Canterbury observes Dominion Day instead, the fourth Monday in September. In 2026 that was Monday 28 September.
Sources: Employment New Zealand, Public holidays and anniversary dates; Holidays Act 2003, section 44. Dates checked October 2026.
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