Every year on 25 April, thousands of people gather in the dark outside the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. They come for the Anzac Day Canberra dawn service, the national service that marks the day Australia stops to remember. It starts before sunrise, it lasts about half an hour, and it is one of the most moving things you can do in the capital.
This guide walks you through the full day. It starts with the pre-dawn readings and ends with the Last Post Ceremony in the late afternoon. You will find the times, the order of service, how to get there, what to wear, and what to do between services. It also covers the history behind the day and the small traditions that first-timers often miss.
What Anzac Day Means
Anzac Day is Australia’s national day of remembrance. It honours the men and women who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping, and it remembers those who did not come home.
Why 25 April?
The date marks the Gallipoli landing in the First World War. In the early hours of 25 April 1915, Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula in Türkiye. The campaign cost many lives, and the date stuck. The first Anzac Day was held in 1916, one year after the landing.
In 2026 the day marked the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. The date never changes. Anzac Day is always 25 April, whatever day of the week it falls on.
Why the National Service Happens in Canberra
The Australian War Memorial holds the national service because it is the country’s main place of remembrance. The Memorial sits at the top of Anzac Parade in the Australian Capital Territory, with the lake and the city behind it. The service is broadcast live on ABC TV and ABC iView, so the whole country can follow it.
Canberra also hosts the National Commemorative Service and the Veterans’ March later in the morning. For the full story of the building itself, see our Australian War Memorial visitor guide.
The Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial
The Dawn Service is the centrepiece of the day for most visitors. It runs from 5.30 to 6 am on the Parade Ground, in front of the Memorial. It is a standing service, so there is no seating for the general crowd. You stand in the dark, shoulder to shoulder with thousands of others, and watch the sky lighten over Mount Ainslie.
What Happens Before Dawn
The night before sets the scene. On the Thursday and Friday nights before Anzac Day, photos from the Memorial’s collection are projected onto the building from dusk until late. It is worth a walk past the Memorial on the Friday night if you are already in town.
From 4.30 am, members of the Australian Defence Force read short passages from letters and diaries. These are the words of Australians who lived through war. The readings run until the service starts, and many regulars say this quiet half hour is the part they remember most.
Aim to arrive well before 4.30 am if you want a good spot. The grounds fill fast, and the walk in from the road closures takes time. On-site lighting stays on until 5.20 am, then it goes off so the dawn can do the work.
The Order of Service, Step by Step
The service follows the same shape each year, and it helps to know what comes next. It opens with the playing of the didgeridoo. The didgeridoo is known as the yidaki by the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land, and it is played here with the permission of the Traditional Custodians, the Ngunnawal people.
Then comes the welcome and the hymn “O valiant hearts”. The RSL National President reads the Dedication, the same words heard at dawn services across the country. Wreaths are laid on behalf of the people of Australia and New Zealand while a piper plays a lament.
A chaplain leads the prayers, then the commemorative address is given. In 2026 the address was delivered by Flying Officer Kbora Ali of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The Ode is then read aloud. It comes from the poem “For the Fallen”, written in 1914. The lines are short and plain: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.” The crowd repeats the last line together.
A bugler plays the Last Post. One minute of silence follows. Then Reveille sounds, the flags rise, and the service closes with the New Zealand and Australian national anthems. The whole service runs for about 30 minutes.
What It Feels Like to Be There
First-timers often ask what to expect. The short answer is quiet. People speak in low voices before the service starts. Phones stay in pockets. When the Last Post sounds, the whole Parade Ground goes still.
It is cold. Canberra mornings in late April are sharp, and you will be standing still for an hour or more. Warm layers, a beanie and gloves are not overkill. The ground can be uneven and slippery with frost, so watch your step in the dark.
Large screens are set up in the grounds so people further back can follow the service. If you bring kids, lift them onto your shoulders for the key moments or stand near a screen.
The Full Day: Every Service and Ceremony
The Dawn Service is only the start. The Memorial runs a full program, and you can shape your day around as much or as little of it as you like. All services are free, and no tickets are needed for general attendance.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Ceremony
At 7.30 am, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Association holds its own ceremony at the For Our Country memorial in the Sculpture Garden. It honours First Nations people who have served in defence of Country. The public is welcome, and it is a good service to attend if you want to understand the full story of Australian service.
National Commemorative Service and Veterans’ March
The main morning service starts at 9.30 am on the Parade Ground. It includes the RSL ACT Branch Veterans’ March, which sets off from Anzac Parade and walks up through the Memorial grounds, past the Stone of Remembrance. In 2026 the Anzac Day Address was given by Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston.
Seating around the Parade Ground is unallocated, so arrive early for a spot. Large screens are placed around the grounds, and you are welcome to bring your own chair or rug and watch from the lawns. The service is also broadcast live on ABC TV and ABC iView from 9.30 am.
The Memorial Galleries in the Afternoon
The galleries open to visitors at 1 pm. Entry is free and no tickets are needed on Anzac Day. This is the best time to walk through the new galleries at your own pace, covering the First World War halls and the modern conflicts and peacekeeping displays.
After the Dawn Service, the Commemorative Area opens from 6.30 to 7.30 am. This is when many visitors place a poppy on the Roll of Honour, next to a relative’s name, or at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier in the Hall of Memory. The Roll of Honour lists more than 102,000 names.
The Last Post Ceremony
The day closes with the Last Post Ceremony at 4.30 pm in the Commemorative Area. Each day the ceremony tells the story of one person on the Roll of Honour. On Anzac Day it is the final moment of remembrance. No tickets are needed, and the ceremony is also streamed live on the Memorial’s YouTube channel.
How to Plan Your Anzac Day in Canberra
How Much Time Do You Need?
One full day covers the services. But if you are coming from outside Canberra, give it a weekend. Arrive on the Friday to see the projections on the building, attend the services on Saturday, and use Sunday for the galleries and the rest of the city. Our things to do in Canberra guide has the full list.
Sunday suits the big institutions. The National Museum of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia and the Royal Australian Mint all sit within a short drive of the city centre.
Where to Stay
Book early. Anzac Day weekend is one of the busiest weekends in Canberra, and rooms near the city centre go first. Staying in Civic or Braddon puts you close to the free shuttle buses and the early breakfast spots. See our where to stay in Canberra guide for areas and hotels.
When to Arrive
For the Dawn Service, plan to be at the Memorial grounds by 4 am at the latest. The pre-dawn readings start at 4.30 am, and the walk from the bus drop-off takes a few minutes. If you only want the National Commemorative Service, aim to arrive by 8.30 am for a seat.
Getting to the Australian War Memorial on Anzac Day
Getting to Anzac Day Canberra services is easiest by bus. The roads around the Memorial close, parking is very limited, and the buses are free. Leave the car at your hotel if you can.
Free Buses and Shuttles
Transport Canberra runs free buses to and from the Dawn Service and the National Commemorative Service, including the Veterans’ March. In past years, riders registered for a free “Register to Ride” bus from the main interchanges at Belconnen, City, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Woden. Check the Transport Canberra website closer to the day for the current year’s registration details.
A free shuttle also runs between the City Interchange and Anzac Parade for the Dawn Service. It leaves from Platform 4 on Alinga Street, on the eastern side of Northbourne Avenue.
Road Closures
Roads around the Memorial close for public safety from 6 pm on the Friday before Anzac Day until 6 pm on Anzac Day itself. In 2026 the closed roads included Limestone Avenue, Fairbairn Avenue and Constitution Avenue, plus the Blamey Crescent and Currong Street intersection. If you walk in via Anzac Parade, use the footpaths and stay off the road, as shuttle buses use it.
Parking and Drop-Off
On-site parking is limited to visitors with accessibility needs, and it fills on a first-come, first-served basis. You will need a government-issued disability parking pass or a ticket for the accessible seating area to get in. There is no parking for caravans, campervans, trailers or over-height vehicles.
Taxis, rideshares and private drop-offs go to the P2 car park on Treloar Crescent, opposite Campbell High School. The Memorial’s usual drop-off point is not open on the day.
Walking In
If your hotel is in the city, walking is a real option. It is roughly a half-hour walk from Civic to the Memorial along Anzac Parade. For the full transport picture, see our getting around Canberra guide.
What to Wear and What to Bring
Dress for a cold, still morning. The Memorial advises visitors to check the forecast and dress for the conditions, and the Dawn Service is held outside in the dark. Warm layers are the rule, even if the afternoon turns mild.
- A warm coat, beanie, gloves and scarf
- Comfortable closed shoes, as the ground can be uneven and frosty
- A small torch for the walk in, as the on-site lighting goes off at 5.20 am
- A water bottle, with refill stations on site
- A rug or fold-out chair if you are staying for the 9.30 am service
- Cash or a card for breakfast and donations
- A poppy or a sprig of rosemary if you want to lay one
Leave the big bags at the hotel. You will be standing for a long time, and there is no cloakroom.
Etiquette and Traditions to Know Before You Go
Anzac Day has its own customs. None of them are hard, but knowing them helps you feel at ease.
Wearing Medals and Rosemary
Veterans and serving members wear their own medals on the left breast. A relative may wear a family member’s medals on the right breast, to honour their service. It is an offence to wear medals you have not been awarded.
Many people wear a sprig of rosemary on the day. Rosemary is the emblem of remembrance, and it grows wild on the Gallipoli peninsula. Poppy pins are common too. A purple poppy remembers the animals that went to war.
The Ode and the Minute of Silence
When the Ode is read, stand, remove your hat, and stay quiet. The crowd repeats “We will remember them” at the end. After the Last Post, keep the silence for the full minute. Phones should be silent and out of sight.
Flags at Half-Mast
You will see the flags at half-mast before the Dawn Service. They rise to the top of the pole during Reveille, then drop back to half-mast until noon. It is a small detail, and it is worth knowing what it means.
The Gunfire Breakfast
After the Dawn Service, many people head to a gunfire breakfast. The name comes from the British Army tradition of a hot drink served to troops before first parade. In Australia it has grown into a proper breakfast, often bacon and eggs, at a club, pub or cafe. Poppy’s Café at the Memorial opens from 6 am, and cafes across Canberra open early for the day.
Anzac biscuits are the other food tradition of the day. The first ones were hard biscuits made to last the long trip to Gallipoli. The soft, oaty biscuits sold in shops today are the home version.
Two-Up in the Afternoon
Two-up is the coin game tied to Anzac Day. Two pennies are tossed in the air, and players bet on how they land. It is the one day of the year the game can legally be played in pubs and clubs. Many venues run it from midday, and the money raised often goes to charities that support veterans, such as Soldier On or Legacy.
Anzac Day With Kids
Kids are welcome at every service, and many families make the Dawn Service a tradition. The early start is the hard part. A 4 am wake-up suits older kids better than toddlers, and the standing, quiet service tests young ones.
If you bring kids, stand near a screen so they can see what is happening. Explain the service in simple words before you go: we stand quietly to remember the people who went to war and did not come home. Let them place a poppy on the Roll of Honour afterwards. It gives them something of their own to do.
For the rest of the weekend, our Canberra with kids guide has family ideas, and free things to do in Canberra covers the low-cost options.
After the Services: Breakfast, Two-Up and the Rest of the Day
Once the morning services end, the mood shifts. The city moves from quiet remembrance to a long, social afternoon. Breakfast is the first stop. Poppy’s Café opens at 6 am at the Memorial, and the cafes in Manuka and Braddon open early too.
From midday, the pubs and clubs run two-up, and the big screens show the Anzac Day football. In the AFL, the traditional Anzac Day match is Collingwood against Essendon. In the NRL, the Dragons play the Roosters. Both games are a big part of the day for many people.
If you want a quieter afternoon, the galleries are open from 1 pm, and Lake Burley Griffin is an easy walk for fresh air. The Old Bus Depot Markets run on Sundays, so they suit a weekend stay.
If You Can’t Be There in Person
Not everyone can get to Canberra. The Dawn Service and the National Commemorative Service are broadcast live on ABC TV and ABC iView. The Last Post Ceremony streams on the Memorial’s YouTube channel. Many local RSL clubs also hold their own dawn services, so check your own town’s service if Canberra is too far.
FAQs About Anzac Day at the Australian War Memorial
Do I need tickets for Anzac Day Canberra events?
No. General attendance at the Dawn Service, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Ceremony, the National Commemorative Service and the Last Post Ceremony is free, and no tickets are needed. The only tickets are for the limited accessible seating areas, which you can book through the Memorial.
What time should I arrive for the Dawn Service?
Aim for 4 am. The pre-dawn readings start at 4.30 am and the service starts at 5.30 am. The grounds fill fast, and the walk from the bus stop takes time.
Can I drive to the Memorial on Anzac Day?
It is not a good idea. Roads close from 6 pm the night before, and on-site parking is only for visitors with accessibility needs. Take the free bus or walk.
Is the Dawn Service suitable for kids?
Yes, kids are welcome. Bring them if they can handle a 4 am start and standing quietly for half an hour. Stand near a screen so they can see.
What happens if it rains?
The services are held outside, rain or shine. Bring a raincoat and check the forecast the night before.
When do the galleries open on Anzac Day?
At 1 pm. Entry is free and no tickets are needed.
Can I lay a wreath or flowers?
Yes. Wreaths and flowers are laid during the services, and visitors can place a poppy on the Roll of Honour or at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier when the Commemorative Area opens from 6.30 to 7.30 am.
Is the Memorial open on Anzac Day if I only want to visit the galleries?
The galleries open at 1 pm. The morning is for the services, so plan your gallery visit for the afternoon.
Final Thoughts on Anzac Day at the Australian War Memorial
Anzac Day at the Australian War Memorial is worth the early alarm. The Dawn Service is short, quiet and unlike any other event in Australia. Pair it with the National Commemorative Service, a walk through the galleries, and a slow afternoon in the city, and you will have a full day that means something.
Plan the simple things well: arrive early, dress warmly, take the bus, and leave time between services. The rest takes care of itself. For the wider trip, Australia City Guide has the full Canberra coverage, from Parliament House to the best day trips from Canberra.
Keep exploring:
- Things to Do in Canberra: Complete Guide
- Australian War Memorial: Complete Visitor Guide
- Where to Stay in Canberra: Best Areas and Hotels
- Getting Around Canberra: Transport Guide
- Free Things to Do in Canberra
- Parliament House Canberra: Visitor Guide
- Old Parliament House Canberra: Visitor Guide
- Lake Burley Griffin: Complete Guide
- Canberra with Kids: Family Guide
- Best Day Trips from Canberra
