When do Australian children open their presents?

On the morning of 25 December, a Friday in 2026. Santa is said to come in the night of the 24th, and the big family meal that follows is usually lunch.

What is the address for Santa Mail in Australia?

Australia Post has not published the 2026 address yet. Its Santa Mail page says only that the programme returns on 11 November 2026. The address and rules should appear on that page when it opens.

What is the Santa Mail deadline in 2026?

Not announced yet. Australia Post's Santa Mail page gives only the return date, 11 November 2026. Its ordinary Christmas cut-off dates are listed at auspost.com.au/christmas.

Is Boxing Day a public holiday in 2026?

Boxing Day is Saturday 26 December. Most states and territories observe Monday 28 December as the holiday. Check your state's list, since South Australia may differ.

What do Australians eat at Christmas?

Prawns and other cold seafood, ham, and pavlova with cream and fruit are common, and some households still serve roast turkey despite the heat.

What happens on Boxing Day in Australia?

The Boxing Day Test starts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race sets off, and stores run sales.

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Who brings the presents in Australia, and when? Christmas 2026

In Australia Santa arrives overnight on Thursday 24 December 2026 and the day begins with presents on Friday 25 December, in summer heat. Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, so most states give Monday 28 December as the holiday.

Who brings the presents, and when

Santa Claus
25 December

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Who brings the presents, and when

Santa Claus · 25 December
Australians know the same Santa Claus as the rest of the English-speaking world, the descendant of Saint Nicholas by way of the Dutch Sinterklaas, with a sleigh and reindeer. What changes is the season: Christmas lands in the middle of summer, so the red suit meets 40 degree days. Presents are found on the morning of the 25th, and the day starts with gifts among the family. Australia Post answers children's letters through its Santa Mail programme.

When presents are opened

Santa visits in the night of Thursday 24 December, and families open presents on the morning of Friday 25 December 2026. The main meal that follows is lunch, not dinner: the big meal happens at midday, often with cold seafood in the summer heat.

The order is the same as in Britain and America. What is local is everything around it: the weather, the beach or the backyard, and a table of prawns and pavlova instead of a roast on a dark afternoon.

A summer Christmas

Heat shapes the day. Fresh prawns and other cold seafood are a favourite for the long Christmas lunch. Pavlova, the meringue dessert topped with cream and fruit, is the usual finish. Some families still cook a roast turkey or ham with all the trimmings, heat or not.

Australia Post Santa Mail

Australia Post's Santa Mail page says the programme returns on Wednesday 11 November 2026. The page does not yet give the address, the last posting date or the stamp rules for this year.

Australia Post publishes its Christmas cut-off dates for ordinary mail separately, at auspost.com.au/christmas. Until the Santa Mail details appear, treat any address or deadline from earlier seasons as last year's.

Boxing Day, 28 December

Christmas Day is Friday 25 December and Boxing Day is Saturday 26 December 2026. Most states observe a public holiday on Monday 28 December in its place; the Fair Work Ombudsman's 2026 list shows it for several states, and South Australia may handle it differently, so check your state.

Boxing Day in Australia means sport: the Boxing Day Test cricket match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, plus sales that run on as Boxing Week.

Advent and public holidays 2026/27 in Australia

The dates a family in Australia plans around, with weekdays.

Wed 11 Nov: Santa Mail opens, according to Australia Post.
Sun 29 Nov, 6, 13, 20 Dec: The four Advent Sundays.
Thu 24 Dec: Christmas Eve. Santa's night.
Fri 25 Dec: Christmas Day, public holiday in every state. Presents in the morning, lunch at midday.
Sat 26 Dec: Boxing Day.
Mon 28 Dec: Additional Boxing Day public holiday in most states.

State rules differ; confirm on the Fair Work Ombudsman's 2026 list. Read 28 October 2026.

Fair Work Ombudsman: 2026 public holidays · Australia Post: Santa Mail

Booking a visit

Santa Claus

$393 – $471

24 December

A midsummer Christmas shapes the job: performers wear lighter suits instead of heavy velour, and heat exhaustion and sunburn are common complaints in the trade. Agencies work nationally and advertise a Working with Children Check.

A Sydney marketplace average of about $431, spanning $393–471, for Santa bookings in general rather than home visits alone. Dedicated home-visit operators quote on request and publish nothing.

December fills fast; operators say the earlier the better, and take late requests where they can.

GigHeaven — Santa, Sydney · Book a Santa — Sydney · The New Daily — what Santa actually earns

A letter to Santa and a reply with your child's name

Print a blank letter for your child to write, or make a reply from Santa with the child's name: free, no sign-up, all in the browser.

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Common questions

When do Australian children open their presents?: On the morning of 25 December, a Friday in 2026. Santa is said to come in the night of the 24th, and the big family meal that follows is usually lunch.
What is the address for Santa Mail in Australia?: Australia Post has not published the 2026 address yet. Its Santa Mail page says only that the programme returns on 11 November 2026. The address and rules should appear on that page when it opens.
What is the Santa Mail deadline in 2026?: Not announced yet. Australia Post's Santa Mail page gives only the return date, 11 November 2026. Its ordinary Christmas cut-off dates are listed at auspost.com.au/christmas.
Is Boxing Day a public holiday in 2026?: Boxing Day is Saturday 26 December. Most states and territories observe Monday 28 December as the holiday. Check your state's list, since South Australia may differ.
What do Australians eat at Christmas?: Prawns and other cold seafood, ham, and pavlova with cream and fruit are common, and some households still serve roast turkey despite the heat.
What happens on Boxing Day in Australia?: The Boxing Day Test starts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race sets off, and stores run sales.