worldwide public holidays news and updates of the past seven days
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Samoa Declares August 11 Public Holiday Samoan Ministry Of Commerce, Industry And Labour (Matagaluega o Pisinisi, Alamanuia, Leipa) The Samoan Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, in a public notice signed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Fepulea'i Roger Toleafoa, has released the Public Holiday for Father's Day 2025. As per the aforementioned public notice, "Pursuant to Section 2 of the Public Holidays Act 2008, the public, government agencies and the private sector are hereby advised that Monday, 11th August 2025, will be observed as a Public Holiday in celebration of Father’s Day 2025.". The Public Holiday for Father's Day 2025 public notice is in line with the latest updated list of public holidays in Samoa for the years 2024-2027, released in August 2023 by the Samoan Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, and later amended in March 2024, by the same Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour.
Samoa Declares August 11 Public Holiday Samoan Ministry Of Commerce, Industry And Labour (Matagaluega o Pisinisi, Alamanuia, Leipa) The Samoan Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, in a public notice signed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Fepulea'i Roger Toleafoa, has released the Public Holiday for Father's Day 2025. As per the aforementioned public notice, "Pursuant to Section 2 of the Public Holidays Act 2008, the public, government agencies and the private sector are hereby advised that Monday, 11th August 2025, will be observed as a Public Holiday in celebration of Father’s Day 2025.". The Public Holiday for Father's Day 2025 public notice is in line with the latest updated list of public holidays in Samoa for the years 2024-2027, released in August 2023 by the Samoan Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, and later amended in March 2024, by the same Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour.
Philippines Barangay Elections Still Scheduled For December 1st Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (Manila) Despite the passage by the Philippines Senate and House of Representatives of the Senate Bill (SB) 2816 extending and rescheduling the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), the Philippines Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced that it continues to prepare for the December 1st, 2025, polls while waiting for the signature of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. As per Comelec Chairperson, George Garcia, "Until now, there is no signed law yet that will postpone the BSKE. Therefore, we may run out of time in our preparations if the expected postponement of the BSKE does not happen". If and when that bill is approved, the BSKE would be moved from December 1, 2025, to to the first Monday of November 2026. Normally, the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections should occur every 3 years, and have usually been accompanied by the declaration of a one-off public holiday. However, over the past decade, these elections have often been rescheduled. The 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections were supposed to be held in late 2016, but were twice postponed, once to 2017 and a second time to 2018. Then in September 2019, three panels of the Philippines Senate approved moving the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from May 2020 to May 2023. Eventually, the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections were held on October 30, 2023.
Philippines Barangay Elections Still Scheduled For December 1st Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (Manila) Despite the passage by the Philippines Senate and House of Representatives of the Senate Bill (SB) 2816 extending and rescheduling the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), the Philippines Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced that it continues to prepare for the December 1st, 2025, polls while waiting for the signature of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. As per Comelec Chairperson, George Garcia, "Until now, there is no signed law yet that will postpone the BSKE. Therefore, we may run out of time in our preparations if the expected postponement of the BSKE does not happen". If and when that bill is approved, the BSKE would be moved from December 1, 2025, to to the first Monday of November 2026. Normally, the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections should occur every 3 years, and have usually been accompanied by the declaration of a one-off public holiday. However, over the past decade, these elections have often been rescheduled. The 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections were supposed to be held in late 2016, but were twice postponed, once to 2017 and a second time to 2018. Then in September 2019, three panels of the Philippines Senate approved moving the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from May 2020 to May 2023. Eventually, the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections were held on October 30, 2023.
Hungary Approves New December 24 Public Holiday Referendum Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) The Hungarian National Election Committee (Nemzeti Választási Bizottság, NVB) has approved yet another referendum proposal submitted by the right-wing opposition party Jobbik that seeks to designate 24 December as an annual public holiday. As per the aforementioned announcement, the proposed referendum question would be worded as "Do you agree that the twenty-fourth of December should be a public holiday?". Note that December 24, 2025, and December 24, 2026, are already set to be public holidays in Hungary, but they will be compensated by the declaration of Saturday, December 13, 2025, and Saturday, December 12, 2026, respectively, as a regular working days. Similar bills were introduced in 2024, 2020 and in 2017.
Hungary Approves New December 24 Public Holiday Referendum Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) The Hungarian National Election Committee (Nemzeti Választási Bizottság, NVB) has approved yet another referendum proposal submitted by the right-wing opposition party Jobbik that seeks to designate 24 December as an annual public holiday. As per the aforementioned announcement, the proposed referendum question would be worded as "Do you agree that the twenty-fourth of December should be a public holiday?". Note that December 24, 2025, and December 24, 2026, are already set to be public holidays in Hungary, but they will be compensated by the declaration of Saturday, December 13, 2025, and Saturday, December 12, 2026, respectively, as a regular working days. Similar bills were introduced in 2024, 2020 and in 2017.
South Sudan Declares July 9 Public Holiday Government of South Sudan Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development (Juba) The Undersecretary for the Ministry of Labour of South Sudan, Mary Hillary Want Pitia, has announced that the national government had declared Wednesday, July 9, 2025, as a public holiday on account of the upcoming Independence Day celebration. As per the aforementioned Public Announcement RSS/Mol/J/24, "The National Ministry of Labour hereby informs all the Civil Service Institutions, Commissions, Diplomatic Missions, UN Agencies, International and National Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Public at large that Wednesday, 9 July 2025 will be a public holiday, being the Independence Day of South Sudan" adding that "Work will resume on Thursday, 10th July 2025". After years of de facto independence, South Sudan became an internationally-recognized independent state on July 9, 2011, following a referendum, earlier that same year.
South Sudan Declares July 9 Public Holiday Government of South Sudan Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development (Juba) The Undersecretary for the Ministry of Labour of South Sudan, Mary Hillary Want Pitia, has announced that the national government had declared Wednesday, July 9, 2025, as a public holiday on account of the upcoming Independence Day celebration. As per the aforementioned Public Announcement RSS/Mol/J/24, "The National Ministry of Labour hereby informs all the Civil Service Institutions, Commissions, Diplomatic Missions, UN Agencies, International and National Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Public at large that Wednesday, 9 July 2025 will be a public holiday, being the Independence Day of South Sudan" adding that "Work will resume on Thursday, 10th July 2025". After years of de facto independence, South Sudan became an internationally-recognized independent state on July 9, 2011, following a referendum, earlier that same year.
Valencia 2026 Public Holidays Gazetted Consell de la Generalitat Valenciana (Valencia) The Conseller de Educación, Cultura, Universidades y Empleo of Spain's autonomous region of Valencia, José Antonio Rovira Jover, has gazetted in the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana the recently-announced official calendar of 2026 non-working public holidays (calendario laboral) in the region of Valencia. The aforementioned Decreto 100/2025, de 1 de julio, del Consell, por el que se determina el calendario laboral de aplicación en el ámbito territorial de la Comunitat Valenciana para el año 2026 (DOGV de 7 de julio de 2025), confirms the unofficial announcement, earlier this month of the tentative list of 2026 Valencia public holidays. For the 2026 regional public holidays, the Consell de la Generalitat Valenciana decided not to reinstate Maundy Thursday, but rather to observe March 19 (San José) and June 24 (San Juan) as public holidays in 2026.
Valencia 2026 Public Holidays Gazetted Consell de la Generalitat Valenciana (Valencia) The Conseller de Educación, Cultura, Universidades y Empleo of Spain's autonomous region of Valencia, José Antonio Rovira Jover, has gazetted in the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana the recently-announced official calendar of 2026 non-working public holidays (calendario laboral) in the region of Valencia. The aforementioned Decreto 100/2025, de 1 de julio, del Consell, por el que se determina el calendario laboral de aplicación en el ámbito territorial de la Comunitat Valenciana para el año 2026 (DOGV de 7 de julio de 2025), confirms the unofficial announcement, earlier this month of the tentative list of 2026 Valencia public holidays. For the 2026 regional public holidays, the Consell de la Generalitat Valenciana decided not to reinstate Maundy Thursday, but rather to observe March 19 (San José) and June 24 (San Juan) as public holidays in 2026.
Kenya Rules-Out July 7 Public Holiday Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (Nairobi) Kenyan Public Service Cabinet Secretary, Geoffrey Ruku, has issued a directive requiring all public servants across the country to report to work as scheduled tomorrow, Monday, July 7, 2025. As per the aforementioned statement, "Tomorrow, Monday 7th July 2025, is not a public holiday. We are expected across the Republic of Kenya to be in our offices as per the Human Resource Policy and Procedure Manual of the Public Service 2016", adding that "No directive has been issued by the government for a public holiday or suspension of work. I urge all heads of departments to monitor staff attendance closely". Recall that, early last month, Kenyan Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, had similarly dismissed the suggestion that the government of President Ruto had declared a public holiday on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, to commemorate the Gen Z victims of last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests. The proposed June 25 public holiday had been led by a political alliance led by Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.
Kenya Rules-Out July 7 Public Holiday Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (Nairobi) Kenyan Public Service Cabinet Secretary, Geoffrey Ruku, has issued a directive requiring all public servants across the country to report to work as scheduled tomorrow, Monday, July 7, 2025. As per the aforementioned statement, "Tomorrow, Monday 7th July 2025, is not a public holiday. We are expected across the Republic of Kenya to be in our offices as per the Human Resource Policy and Procedure Manual of the Public Service 2016", adding that "No directive has been issued by the government for a public holiday or suspension of work. I urge all heads of departments to monitor staff attendance closely". Recall that, early last month, Kenyan Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, had similarly dismissed the suggestion that the government of President Ruto had declared a public holiday on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, to commemorate the Gen Z victims of last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests. The proposed June 25 public holiday had been led by a political alliance led by Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Move Muharram Public Holiday Office of the Labour Commissioner of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory (Port Blair) The Secretary of Labour and Employment of India's Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has announced that the upcoming public holiday for Muharram, originally scheduled for Sunday, July 6, 2025, would now be observed on Monday, July 7, 2025, instead, as per the recommendation of the Chairman of the Andaman and Nicobar Hilal Committee, and thus amending the terms of the Government vide Notification No.113/2024/F.No.M-13/18/2022-GA-Section-Sectt of last November. Recall that, last year, the Secretary of Labour had similarly announced that the then upcoming public holiday for the eve of Milad -un- Nabi, originally scheduled for Monday, September 16, would be observed on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, instead.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Move Muharram Public Holiday Office of the Labour Commissioner of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory (Port Blair) The Secretary of Labour and Employment of India's Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has announced that the upcoming public holiday for Muharram, originally scheduled for Sunday, July 6, 2025, would now be observed on Monday, July 7, 2025, instead, as per the recommendation of the Chairman of the Andaman and Nicobar Hilal Committee, and thus amending the terms of the Government vide Notification No.113/2024/F.No.M-13/18/2022-GA-Section-Sectt of last November. Recall that, last year, the Secretary of Labour had similarly announced that the then upcoming public holiday for the eve of Milad -un- Nabi, originally scheduled for Monday, September 16, would be observed on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, instead.
Eswatini Rules-Out July 22 Public Holiday Government of Swaziland Ministry of Home Affairs (Mbabane) The Communications Officer for the Ministry for Home Affairs of the Kingdom of eSwatini, Mlandvo Dlamini, has confirmed that Tuesday, July 22, 2025, would be a normal working day in eSwatini. As per the aforementioned statement, "It is a normal day. Recall that the king changed the July holiday" and "The 22nd remains a normal day, as per the declaration of King Mswati III.". Today's announcement follows from last March's gazette publication of The Amendment Of Schedule To The Public Holidays Act, 1938, Notice, 2025 which read "It is notified for general information that the Minister for Home Affairs amends the Schedule to the Public Holidays Act, 1938, by deleting the 22 day of July as a public holiday in Eswatini and inserting a new public holiday to be named as Lutsangu Day". This confirmed the creation of a new annual public holiday to replace the annual King Father public holiday, which had been announced late last month by King Mswati III to recognize the Lutsango women’s regiment and to be observed on the Monday that follows the Hlane Buganu ceremony, all the while adding that "after some consultation, an agreement was made that the holiday of July 22, which was celebrated in remembrance of the late King Sobhuza II, be shifted to the Monday after the celebration of the second leg of the Buganu ceremony".
Eswatini Rules-Out July 22 Public Holiday Government of Swaziland Ministry of Home Affairs (Mbabane) The Communications Officer for the Ministry for Home Affairs of the Kingdom of eSwatini, Mlandvo Dlamini, has confirmed that Tuesday, July 22, 2025, would be a normal working day in eSwatini. As per the aforementioned statement, "It is a normal day. Recall that the king changed the July holiday" and "The 22nd remains a normal day, as per the declaration of King Mswati III.". Today's announcement follows from last March's gazette publication of The Amendment Of Schedule To The Public Holidays Act, 1938, Notice, 2025 which read "It is notified for general information that the Minister for Home Affairs amends the Schedule to the Public Holidays Act, 1938, by deleting the 22 day of July as a public holiday in Eswatini and inserting a new public holiday to be named as Lutsangu Day". This confirmed the creation of a new annual public holiday to replace the annual King Father public holiday, which had been announced late last month by King Mswati III to recognize the Lutsango women’s regiment and to be observed on the Monday that follows the Hlane Buganu ceremony, all the while adding that "after some consultation, an agreement was made that the holiday of July 22, which was celebrated in remembrance of the late King Sobhuza II, be shifted to the Monday after the celebration of the second leg of the Buganu ceremony".
Liberia Declares July 5 National Holiday Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Monrovia) The President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has issued a Proclamation declaring Saturday, July 5, 2025, as a national holiday, a day of national healing, reconciliation and unity after the recent symbolic reburial of two former presidents who were killed during separate coups in the 80s and 90s.
Liberia Declares July 5 National Holiday Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Monrovia) The President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has issued a Proclamation declaring Saturday, July 5, 2025, as a national holiday, a day of national healing, reconciliation and unity after the recent symbolic reburial of two former presidents who were killed during separate coups in the 80s and 90s.
Vanuatu Officializes July 8 Provincial Elections Public Holiday Government of Vanuatu (Port Vila) The Government of Vanuatu has released a formal Order signed by the President of the Republic declaring Tuesday, July 8, 2025, a public holiday for all registered voters who are eligible to vote in the upcoming provincial and by-elections. As per the aforementioned Presidential Order, "the public holiday applies specifically to all registered voters who are eligible to vote in the provinces of Penama, Malampa, Shefa, and Tafea" and "the declaration also includes Sanma Province voters taking part in the by-election, as well as those registered voters who are eligible to vote in the Freshwater–Tasiriki ward in Port Vila". Recall that, this past month of May, the Government of Vanuatu had confirmed that Tuesday, July 8, 2025, would be a public holiday in the constituencies holding provincial elections and by-elections on that date.
Vanuatu Officializes July 8 Provincial Elections Public Holiday Government of Vanuatu (Port Vila) The Government of Vanuatu has released a formal Order signed by the President of the Republic declaring Tuesday, July 8, 2025, a public holiday for all registered voters who are eligible to vote in the upcoming provincial and by-elections. As per the aforementioned Presidential Order, "the public holiday applies specifically to all registered voters who are eligible to vote in the provinces of Penama, Malampa, Shefa, and Tafea" and "the declaration also includes Sanma Province voters taking part in the by-election, as well as those registered voters who are eligible to vote in the Freshwater–Tasiriki ward in Port Vila". Recall that, this past month of May, the Government of Vanuatu had confirmed that Tuesday, July 8, 2025, would be a public holiday in the constituencies holding provincial elections and by-elections on that date.
India Releases 2026 Central Government Public Holidays The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (New Delhi) India's Central Government's Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, has released the Department of Personnel and Training’s Office Memorandum No. F.No.12/2/2023-JCA (List of Holidays 2026: Closed Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices at Delhi/New Delhi during year 2026) containing its annual list of public holidays and restricted holidays to be observed in all the Administrative Offices of the Central Government of India, for the upcoming calendar year 2026. As per the aforementioned memorandum, "It has been decided that the holidays, as specified in the Annexure I to this O.M., will be observed in all the Administrative Offices of the Central Government located at Delhi/New Delhi during the year 2026. In addition, each employee will also be allowed to avail himself/herself of any two holidays to be chosen by him/her out of the list of Restricted Holidays specified at Annexure II.". Contrary to what was the case 3 years ago, there do not appear to be any obvious errors in the dates listed in the aforementioned vide notification F.No.12/2/2023-JCA.
India Releases 2026 Central Government Public Holidays The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (New Delhi) India's Central Government's Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, has released the Department of Personnel and Training’s Office Memorandum No. F.No.12/2/2023-JCA (List of Holidays 2026: Closed Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices at Delhi/New Delhi during year 2026) containing its annual list of public holidays and restricted holidays to be observed in all the Administrative Offices of the Central Government of India, for the upcoming calendar year 2026. As per the aforementioned memorandum, "It has been decided that the holidays, as specified in the Annexure I to this O.M., will be observed in all the Administrative Offices of the Central Government located at Delhi/New Delhi during the year 2026. In addition, each employee will also be allowed to avail himself/herself of any two holidays to be chosen by him/her out of the list of Restricted Holidays specified at Annexure II.". Contrary to what was the case 3 years ago, there do not appear to be any obvious errors in the dates listed in the aforementioned vide notification F.No.12/2/2023-JCA.
Pakistan Declares Ashura Public Holidays Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad) The Federal government of Pakistan has announced a two-day public holidays on account of the upcoming Asura. As per the notification issued by the Cabinet Division, earlier today, the upcoming Asura public holidays will run on Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, 2025. Last December, Pakistan's Cabinet Division had issued the circular Public and Optional Holidays for the calendar year 2025, which contained its annual list of the expected dates for non-working public holidays, bank holidays and optional holidays for the calendar year 2025, also listing July 5 and 6 as the dates of the 2025 Ashura public holidays.
Pakistan Declares Ashura Public Holidays Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad) The Federal government of Pakistan has announced a two-day public holidays on account of the upcoming Asura. As per the notification issued by the Cabinet Division, earlier today, the upcoming Asura public holidays will run on Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, 2025. Last December, Pakistan's Cabinet Division had issued the circular Public and Optional Holidays for the calendar year 2025, which contained its annual list of the expected dates for non-working public holidays, bank holidays and optional holidays for the calendar year 2025, also listing July 5 and 6 as the dates of the 2025 Ashura public holidays.
Paraguay Tables Public Holidays Legislation Portal Paraguayo de Noticias (PPN) The president of the National Congress, Senator Basilio Núñez, commenting on the introduction of the public holidays legislation by Paraguay's Interior Minister, Enrique Riera, commented that he didn't believe anyone would oppose the Executive Branch's bill that proposes declaring June 20th of each year, the swearing-in of the National Constitution, a holiday, "given that it is a memorable date". Recall that the aforementioned bill would also give legal authority to the president to declare up to three non-permanent holidays per year, in special situations such as sporting events, historical anniversaries, or to promote domestic tourism and national trade, if both houses of Congress approve it. Finally, the June 12 public holiday commemorating the signing of the Chaco Peace Agreement, would be made unmovable by an amendment to the Ley 1723 del 29 de junio de 2001. The Ley 1723 del 29 de junio de 2001 (Que Autoriza Al Poder Ejecutivo A Trasladar Los Feriados Nacionales Al Dia Lunes) gives the president of Paraguay the authority to move any, or all, mid-week public holidays to a nearby Monday (except New Year, Independence Day, día de La Virgen de Caacupé, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday).
Paraguay Tables Public Holidays Legislation Portal Paraguayo de Noticias (PPN) The president of the National Congress, Senator Basilio Núñez, commenting on the introduction of the public holidays legislation by Paraguay's Interior Minister, Enrique Riera, commented that he didn't believe anyone would oppose the Executive Branch's bill that proposes declaring June 20th of each year, the swearing-in of the National Constitution, a holiday, "given that it is a memorable date". Recall that the aforementioned bill would also give legal authority to the president to declare up to three non-permanent holidays per year, in special situations such as sporting events, historical anniversaries, or to promote domestic tourism and national trade, if both houses of Congress approve it. Finally, the June 12 public holiday commemorating the signing of the Chaco Peace Agreement, would be made unmovable by an amendment to the Ley 1723 del 29 de junio de 2001. The Ley 1723 del 29 de junio de 2001 (Que Autoriza Al Poder Ejecutivo A Trasladar Los Feriados Nacionales Al Dia Lunes) gives the president of Paraguay the authority to move any, or all, mid-week public holidays to a nearby Monday (except New Year, Independence Day, día de La Virgen de Caacupé, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday).
