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Worldwide Public Holidays News and Updates


worldwide public holidays news and updates of the past ten days
The qppstudio worldwide public holidays database is constantly updated to reflect changes to public holidays legislation, or ad hoc public holidays changes, throughout the world.

The news items of our unique source of worldwide public holidays news and updates are complemented by contextual and historical background information extracted from our database of tens of thousands of news items collated over the past 25 years.

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December 19, 2025

  • Guam
  • Guam
  • Guam Declares 3 Additional Year-End Public Holidays
    The Government of Guam (Chamorro)

    The Governor of Guam, Lou Leon Guerrero has signed the Executive Order 2025-09 declaring Wednesday, December 24, 2025, as well as Friday, December 26, 2025, and Friday, January 2, 2026, as one-off GovGuam public sector holidays.

    While the declaration of the Friday after Thanksgiving as a public sector holiday in Guam has been an almost annual tradition, except from 2018 to 2021, the declaration of December 24 as a public sector holiday has also occurred on many occasions, namely in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024. But the declaration of December 26 and January 2, as well, is a novelty.    
  • Guam Declares 3 Additional Year-End Public Holidays
    The Government of Guam (Chamorro)

    The Governor of Guam, Lou Leon Guerrero has signed the Executive Order 2025-09 declaring Wednesday, December 24, 2025, as well as Friday, December 26, 2025, and Friday, January 2, 2026, as one-off GovGuam public sector holidays.

    While the declaration of the Friday after Thanksgiving as a public sector holiday in Guam has been an almost annual tradition, except from 2018 to 2021, the declaration of December 24 as a public sector holiday has also occurred on many occasions, namely in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024. But the declaration of December 26 and January 2, as well, is a novelty.    

December 18, 2025

  • Cape Verde
  • Cape Verde
  • Cape Verde Extends Year-End 2025 Public Sector Holidays
    Ministro da Administração Interna (República de Cabo Verde)

    The government of Cape Verde has issued the Resolução n.º139/2025, de 18 dezembro which declares 2 half-day and one full day public sector holidays, on Decemmber 24, December 26, and December 31, 2025, pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 265 of the Constitution of Cape Verde.

    As per Resolution 139/2025, "Throughout the national territory, employees and agents of the State, public institutions, and local authorities are granted a day off, starting at 1:00 PM on December 24th and 31st, as well as on December 26th, for the entire day".

    Resolution 139/2025 goes on to justify the above "considering our status as an archipelagic country and the need to create conditions so that employees can gather peacefully with their families for celebrations", that "during this festive season, Christmas Day and New Year's Day both fall on a Thursday" and that "the practice has been followed over the years during this period in Public Administration".

    Recall that, last year, the government of Cape Verde had similarly declared public sector holidays on Tuesday, December 24, and Tuesday, December 31, 2024, in the Official Gazette Resolution 111/2024 from the Council of Ministers.    
  • Cape Verde Extends Year-End 2025 Public Sector Holidays
    Ministro da Administração Interna (República de Cabo Verde)

    The government of Cape Verde has issued the Resolução n.º139/2025, de 18 dezembro which declares 2 half-day and one full day public sector holidays, on Decemmber 24, December 26, and December 31, 2025, pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 265 of the Constitution of Cape Verde.

    As per Resolution 139/2025, "Throughout the national territory, employees and agents of the State, public institutions, and local authorities are granted a day off, starting at 1:00 PM on December 24th and 31st, as well as on December 26th, for the entire day".

    Resolution 139/2025 goes on to justify the above "considering our status as an archipelagic country and the need to create conditions so that employees can gather peacefully with their families for celebrations", that "during this festive season, Christmas Day and New Year's Day both fall on a Thursday" and that "the practice has been followed over the years during this period in Public Administration".

    Recall that, last year, the government of Cape Verde had similarly declared public sector holidays on Tuesday, December 24, and Tuesday, December 31, 2024, in the Official Gazette Resolution 111/2024 from the Council of Ministers.    
  • Nepal
  • Nepal
  • Sudurpaschim Province Declares December 19 Public Holiday For Bhuwa Parba
    Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu)

    The Government Cabinet of the Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal has declared Friday, December 19, 2025, as a public sector holiday for all government offices and public institutions in the province, on account of this year's Bhuwa Parba or festival.

    Recall that, in early March 2023, the Nepalese federal government cabinet decided that provincial governments could add up to six public holidays a year to the national list of Nepalese public holidays released by the federal government, with the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs deciding the regional public holidays to be observed in the Kathmandu valley.    
  • Sudurpaschim Province Declares December 19 Public Holiday For Bhuwa Parba
    Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu)

    The Government Cabinet of the Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal has declared Friday, December 19, 2025, as a public sector holiday for all government offices and public institutions in the province, on account of this year's Bhuwa Parba or festival.

    Recall that, in early March 2023, the Nepalese federal government cabinet decided that provincial governments could add up to six public holidays a year to the national list of Nepalese public holidays released by the federal government, with the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs deciding the regional public holidays to be observed in the Kathmandu valley.    
  • Philippines
  • Philippines
  • Philippines Extends Year-End Public Sector Holidays
    Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (Manila)

    Philippines Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer, Claire Castro, has released a copy of Memorandum Circular 111 signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto announcing 2 year-end public sector holidays.

    As per the Memorandum Circular 111, "In order to provide government employees full opportunity to celebrate New Year's Day activities and to allow them to travel to and from different regions in the country, work in all government offices is hereby suspended on 29 December 2025 (Monday) and 2 January 2026 (Friday).".

    Recall that, in late 2017, Philippines' then Presidential Executive Secretary, Salvador Medialdea, had similarly announced that, on authority of President Duterte, he had signed Memorandum Circular no. 37 (MC 37), declaring Tuesday, December 26, 2017, and Tuesday, January 2, 2018, as non-working public sector holidays in the Philippines, in addition to the previously released lists of official public holidays in the Philippines for the year 2017 and for the year 2018.    
  • Philippines Extends Year-End Public Sector Holidays
    Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (Manila)

    Philippines Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer, Claire Castro, has released a copy of Memorandum Circular 111 signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto announcing 2 year-end public sector holidays.

    As per the Memorandum Circular 111, "In order to provide government employees full opportunity to celebrate New Year's Day activities and to allow them to travel to and from different regions in the country, work in all government offices is hereby suspended on 29 December 2025 (Monday) and 2 January 2026 (Friday).".

    Recall that, in late 2017, Philippines' then Presidential Executive Secretary, Salvador Medialdea, had similarly announced that, on authority of President Duterte, he had signed Memorandum Circular no. 37 (MC 37), declaring Tuesday, December 26, 2017, and Tuesday, January 2, 2018, as non-working public sector holidays in the Philippines, in addition to the previously released lists of official public holidays in the Philippines for the year 2017 and for the year 2018.    
  • South Sudan
  • South Sudan
  • South Sudan Announces Year-End 2025-2026 Public Holidays
    Government of South Sudan Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development (Juba)

    South Sudan’s Undersecretary to the Ministry of Labour, Deng Kenjok, has announced that December 24 to 26, 2025, and January 1, 2026, would be public holidays in South Sudan, on account of Christmas and New Year.

    As per the aforementioned announcement, "The National Ministry of Labour hereby informs all Civil Service Institutions, Commissions, Diplomatic Missions, UN Agencies, NGOs, and the General Public, that the Christmas holiday shall take effect from Wednesday, 24th to Friday, 26th December 2025. Work resumes on Monday, 29th December 2025." and "The Ministry further notifies the public that Thursday, 1st January 2026, will be a public holiday in celebration of the New Year. Official work shall resume on Friday, 2nd January 2026".

    Recall that, last year, South Sudan’s then Undersecretary to the Ministry of Labour, Mary Hillary Wani Pitia, had similarly announced that December 24 to 26, 2024, and January 1, 2025, would be public holidays, on account of Christmas and New Year.

    After years of de facto independence, South Sudan became an internationally-recognized independent state in 2011.    
  • South Sudan Announces Year-End 2025-2026 Public Holidays
    Government of South Sudan Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development (Juba)

    South Sudan’s Undersecretary to the Ministry of Labour, Deng Kenjok, has announced that December 24 to 26, 2025, and January 1, 2026, would be public holidays in South Sudan, on account of Christmas and New Year.

    As per the aforementioned announcement, "The National Ministry of Labour hereby informs all Civil Service Institutions, Commissions, Diplomatic Missions, UN Agencies, NGOs, and the General Public, that the Christmas holiday shall take effect from Wednesday, 24th to Friday, 26th December 2025. Work resumes on Monday, 29th December 2025." and "The Ministry further notifies the public that Thursday, 1st January 2026, will be a public holiday in celebration of the New Year. Official work shall resume on Friday, 2nd January 2026".

    Recall that, last year, South Sudan’s then Undersecretary to the Ministry of Labour, Mary Hillary Wani Pitia, had similarly announced that December 24 to 26, 2024, and January 1, 2025, would be public holidays, on account of Christmas and New Year.

    After years of de facto independence, South Sudan became an internationally-recognized independent state in 2011.    
  • USA (United States)
  • USA (United States)
  • USA Extends Year-End Federal Public Sector Holidays
    The White House (Washington DC)

    US President, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order granting federal employees paid days off on December 24 and 26, 2025.

    As per the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), "To celebrate Christmas, President Trump has issued an Executive Order excusing Federal employees from duty on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 and Friday, December 26, 2025, except those who, in the judgment of the head of the agency, cannot be excused for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need".

    Over the years, various US Presidents have declared one-off federal sector holidays so that federal civil servants get an extended Christmas break.

    Last year, then US President, Joe Biden, released an Executive Order declaring December 24, 2024, as a federal holiday.

    President George W. Bush declared December 24 a public holiday for federal civil servants in 2001, 2002, and 2007, while December 26 was declared so in 2003 and 2008.

    President Obama declared December 24 as a public holiday for federal civil servants in 2009 and 2012, and released an Executive Order indicating that "All executive branch departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Friday, December 26, 2014, the day after Christmas Day".

    President Trump, during his first term, extended the December 25 public holiday for federal civil servants in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

    Though not strictly related, President George W. Bush also decreed a day of national mourning on Tuesday January 2, 2007, in homage to former President Gerald Ford, to be observed as a federal holiday.

    President Trump declared a federal holiday on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, to honor of the death of America’s 41st President, George H. W. Bush.

    Note federal holidays only apply to federal civil servants, excluding the armed forces, meaning that this applies to slightly less than a million employees.    
  • USA Extends Year-End Federal Public Sector Holidays
    The White House (Washington DC)

    US President, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order granting federal employees paid days off on December 24 and 26, 2025.

    As per the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), "To celebrate Christmas, President Trump has issued an Executive Order excusing Federal employees from duty on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 and Friday, December 26, 2025, except those who, in the judgment of the head of the agency, cannot be excused for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need".

    Over the years, various US Presidents have declared one-off federal sector holidays so that federal civil servants get an extended Christmas break.

    Last year, then US President, Joe Biden, released an Executive Order declaring December 24, 2024, as a federal holiday.

    President George W. Bush declared December 24 a public holiday for federal civil servants in 2001, 2002, and 2007, while December 26 was declared so in 2003 and 2008.

    President Obama declared December 24 as a public holiday for federal civil servants in 2009 and 2012, and released an Executive Order indicating that "All executive branch departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Friday, December 26, 2014, the day after Christmas Day".

    President Trump, during his first term, extended the December 25 public holiday for federal civil servants in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

    Though not strictly related, President George W. Bush also decreed a day of national mourning on Tuesday January 2, 2007, in homage to former President Gerald Ford, to be observed as a federal holiday.

    President Trump declared a federal holiday on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, to honor of the death of America’s 41st President, George H. W. Bush.

    Note federal holidays only apply to federal civil servants, excluding the armed forces, meaning that this applies to slightly less than a million employees.    

December 17, 2025

  • Ecuador
  • Ecuador
  • Ecuador Officializes New Year 2026 Public Holiday Exte