Crate Day – Dec. 6, 2026

Crate Day
Submit your updates or photos
Categories:
Tags:
BeerDrinkingFun
Where:
New Zealand
Date change rule:
First Saturday of December
Holiday emoji:
🍻

Crate Day kicks off New Zealand’s summer festivities every first Saturday of December. This distinctive tradition involves friends gathering to share a crate of beer, often at parks or beaches, to welcome the warmer months. Embrace the spirit by planning a get-together, trying a new local brew, or simply enjoying the camaraderie.

Want to sponsor Crate Day? Learn how

Expected Crate Day Deals

While official 2027 promotions are still brewing, Crate Day history suggests liquor retailers and breweries will tap into the excitement with special offers. Expect deals on crates of popular New Zealand beers like Steinlager, Speight’s, and Export Gold. Craft breweries such as Monteith’s and Tuatara may offer limited-edition summer releases or tasting packs. Supermarkets like Countdown and Pak’nSave could feature discounts on BBQ essentials and snacks, while outdoor gear stores like Kathmandu might promote coolers and beach accessories. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as December approaches.

Platform Guide for Crate Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #CrateDay. Film your Crate Day setup, favorite NZ brews, or fun outdoor activities.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #CrateDay. Share vibrant photos of your Crate Day celebration, friends, and scenic New Zealand locations.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #CrateDay. Create an event to invite friends to your Crate Day gathering or share tips for a great celebration.

Social Media Tips for Crate Day

Individuals

Gather your mates, head to a scenic spot, and document your Crate Day celebration responsibly. Share your favorite NZ summer moments.

Creators

Film a 'Crate Day Commandments' explainer video, showcase local NZ brews, or create a 'best Crate Day spots' guide. Engage with your audience using polls.

Brands

Partner with local breweries for a Crate Day giveaway or host a 'best summer setup' photo contest. Promote responsible drinking messages.

Top Brands for Crate Day

  1. Lion Nathan

    Founded in 1840, Lion Nathan is a major Australasian beverage company, home to iconic New Zealand beers like Steinlager and Speight's, central to Crate Day celebrations.

  2. DB Breweries

    Established in 1930, DB Breweries is another leading New Zealand brewer, producing popular brands such as Export Gold and Tui, often featured on Crate Day.

  3. Monteith's

    Originating from the West Coast of New Zealand in 1868, Monteith's Brewery is renowned for its premium craft beers, a popular choice for Crate Day gatherings.

  4. Yeti

    Founded in 2006 in Austin, Texas, Yeti is a global brand specializing in high-quality coolers and outdoor gear, essential for keeping Crate Day beverages chilled.

  5. Frito-Lay

    A subsidiary of PepsiCo, Frito-Lay is a global leader in snack foods, offering a wide range of chips and dips perfect for pairing with Crate Day beers.

  6. Boundary Road Brewery

    A modern New Zealand craft brewery established in 2011, Boundary Road Brewery offers innovative and diverse beer styles, appealing to adventurous Crate Day participants.

  7. Tuatara Brewery

    Founded in 2000 near Wellington, Tuatara Brewery is a celebrated New Zealand craft brewer known for its distinctive beers, often sought after for Crate Day enjoyment.

Crate Day Hero

none

Crate Day is a grassroots, unofficial holiday that emerged organically from New Zealand's student culture and summer traditions. It does not have a single founder or historical figure associated with its creation, but rather evolved as a collective celebration of the approaching summer season.

History of Crate Day

Bottled beer has existed for hundreds of years in various forms, but glass-bottled beer was not conceivable until glass-blowing methods developed and bottles could handle the pressure of carbonated beer without exploding. It was still not the favored take-home beer in the mid-nineteenth century due to the high cost of glass. Crate Day was created by The Rock radio station to celebrate the arrival of summer on the first Saturday in December. However, there are some guidelines to follow. Apart from drinking sensibly, Crate Day’s main commandment is to support the “Crate of Origin” — or consume beer wherever you are.

Beer is one of the oldest beverages ever created by humans. The first chemically confirmed barley beer was made in modern-day Iran in the 5th millennium B.C., and it was documented in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia’s written histories before spreading around the world. Beer crates were originally made of wood. Beer was first made in what is now Iran around 7,000 years ago. Beer may have been produced in Neolithic Europe as early as 5,000 years ago, and was mostly consumed at home.

Before the Industrial Revolution, beer was still brewed and sold on a home scale, albeit by the 7th century, European monks were also producing and selling beer. Beer production shifted from artisanal to industrial during the Industrial Revolution, and domestic production ceased to be by the end of the 19th century. The brewing industry is now a global enterprise, with numerous large international corporations and tens of thousands of smaller breweries ranging from brewpubs to regional breweries.

Crate Day timeline

3100 B.C.
The Origin of Beer

It’s believed beer originates around this time.

1494
Scottish Whisky

Scotland creates its first batch of whisky.

1972
Cascade Hops

Cascade hops become a government brewing effort and popular varieties in craft beer.

2016
5,005 Breweries in the United States

The United States has 5,005 breweries with 99% of them being small and self-sufficient.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Crate Day

Local businesses in New Zealand can embrace Crate Day by offering special promotions on beer crates and summer essentials. Pubs and bars can host themed events with live music and outdoor seating, featuring local brews. Retailers selling outdoor gear, BBQ supplies, or snacks can create ‘Crate Day Survival Kits’ to encourage festive gatherings. Emphasize responsible drinking and promote safe transport options for revelers.

Crate Day FAQs

When is Crate Day?

Crate Day 2026 falls on Saturday, December 5, marking the unofficial start of summer festivities in New Zealand.

How is Crate Day celebrated?

Crate Day is celebrated by friends gathering, typically outdoors at parks or beaches, to share a crate of beer. It’s a social occasion focused on welcoming summer.

What are the 'commandments' of Crate Day?

The unofficial ‘commandments’ include starting celebrations at midday, wearing traditional Crate Day attire (singlets, stubbies, sandals), and sharing a crate of beer with mates.

Is Crate Day an official holiday in New Zealand?

No, Crate Day is not an official public holiday in New Zealand. It is an informal, semi-national observance that has grown organically as a popular tradition.

Crate Day Activities

  1. Visit a New Zealand Museum

    To get the full impact of nostalgia, you immerse yourself in Kiwi history on Crate Day. Get a group of friends or your family together and head to the nearest museum.

  2. Share on social media

    Share images with friends and family enjoying their beers and wearing fun outfits. Working boots, wearing bikinis, and dressing up in summer outfits on Crate Day are encouraged.

  3. Host a small gathering

    Hosting a mini gathering and sharing a crate of beer with some friends is a fantastic way to commemorate an important part of New Zealand history. Don’t forget to drink responsibly!

5 Fun Facts About Beer

  1. Lager has a high consumption rate

    Lager is the most consumed type of beer, constituting almost 80% of all consumption.

  2. The third-most popular beverage worldwide

    Beer is the world’s third-most popular beverage, behind water and tea.

  3. A Slavic word

    ‘Beer’ is a Slavic verb that means “to drink.”

  4. The world’s largest beer museum

    Altenburg, Germany is home to the world’s largest beer museum.

  5. The Guinness Book of World Records

    Hugh Beaver, Executive Director of the Guinness Brewing Company, developed the Records.

Why We Love Crate Day

  1. Beer is a cultural drink

    When it comes to beer, many countries, states, and even localities have various specialties. Cask ales are popular in England and California. It offers you a sense of belonging when you drink and share your favorite local beer.

  2. It has a long history

    Beer was sipped by ancient farmers. Drinking means participating in an age-old tradition that has brought delight to people all over the world.

  3. It creates a community

    Beer is a social drink. Whether you and your pals are sharing cans at a house party or enjoying a pint at the local bar, it’s great to have conversations and create memories over beers.

Crate Day dates

Year Date Day
2025 December 6 Saturday
2026 December 5 Saturday
2027 December 4 Saturday
2028 December 2 Saturday