The Queen's Birthday Weekend

Queen's Birthday in Australia
Quick Facts
Many Australians celebrate the Queen's Birthday each year, as Australia is a constitutional monarchy.
Name
Queen's Birthday 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011

The official head of state of Australia is the Monarch of the Commonwealth Realms. The monarch's birthday is officially celebrated in many parts of Australia on the second Monday of June. However, this day is held on on a date proclaimed by the governor, often on the last Monday of September or the first Monday of October, in the state of Western Australia.


Many Australians have a day off work on the Queen's Birthday. For many, it is a chance to do something with their family or to visit a sporting event. Some people take advantage of the three-day weekend to make trips to visit friends or relatives.


Traditionally, many public fireworks displays were organized on the Queen's Birthday. However, these have been overshadowed by the New Year's Eve displays in recent years. People in many communities can only buy and set off fireworks on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Queen's Birthday weekend in the Australian Capital Territory. This is illegal at all other times of the year.