Perth’s WA Day celebrations moving to Perth Park in 2028 in line with November date change

Perth’s WA Day celebrations moving to Perth Park in 2028 in line with November date change

June 6, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom News

Western Australia is set to undergo a significant overhaul of its public holiday calendar starting in 2028. As part of this transition, WA Day will move from the first Monday of June to the second Monday of November.

Premier Roger Cook has announced that the 2028 celebrations will be hosted at Perth Park. The decision follows the cancellation of this year’s festivities due to wild weather, prompting a shift to the warmer spring months.

A New Hub for Celebration: Perth Park

Perth Park, located near Crown Towers and Optus Stadium, is slated to become the primary venue for the rescheduled WA Day. The site is expected to be completed late next year.

A New Hub for Celebration: Perth Park
Western Australia

The development will feature an outdoor amphitheatre, bike tracks, a multi-storey function and sporting facility and a future hospitality venue. It will also include a new motorsports street circuit.

However, the project has faced criticism from the State Opposition. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has questioned the $217 million price tag, describing the racetrack component as an example of misplaced priorities by the Cook Government.

Did You Know? Perth Park will not only host public celebrations but will also include a multi-storey sporting facility and a dedicated motorsports street circuit.

Comprehensive Calendar Overhaul

The shift of WA Day is part of a broader effort to align Western Australia’s public holidays with other Australian states. Several other key changes are planned to take effect in 2028.

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Labour Day will move to the second Monday in March, while the King’s Birthday holiday will shift to the second Monday in June. Easter Saturday will now be recognized as a public holiday to match all other mainland states.

The government is also introducing a new public holiday known as Show Day. This will be set by proclamation to coincide with the first Monday of the September/October school holidays.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the move to align WA’s calendar with other states could reduce regional discrepancies in business operations. Relocating the primary state celebration to November may mitigate the risk of weather-related cancellations that have previously disrupted public events.

Legislative Path Forward

These changes are outlined in the Public and Bank Holidays Amendment Bill 2025. The government expects the Bill to pass later this year.

Legislative Path Forward
Roger Cook Perth Park

If passed, the new schedule could provide a more consistent experience for residents and visitors. Premier Cook stated that the overhaul is intended to reflect the way West Australians live and ensure more people can enjoy the sunshine during state celebrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the new public holiday changes take effect?
The changes are expected to take effect from 2028, provided the Public and Bank Holidays Amendment Bill 2025 passes this year.

What new public holidays are being added to the calendar?
The government is adding Easter Saturday and a new holiday called Show Day, which will coincide with the first Monday of the September/October school holidays.

Why is WA Day being moved to November?
The move to the warmer spring months is intended to prevent cancellations due to wild weather and allow more citizens to get outdoors and celebrate.

How do you feel about the shift of WA Day celebrations to November?

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