worldwide public holidays news and updates of the past seven days
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Hong Kong 2026 Public Holidays Released Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR) The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has published the gazetted list of 2026 general and public holidays in the Hong Kong SAR with the comment that "As the Ching Ming Festival in 2026 falls on a Sunday, the following day will be designated as a general holiday in substitution. In this connection, as the day following the Ching Ming Festival falls on Easter Monday, the next day that is not itself a general holiday will be observed as an additional general holiday. Moreover, as the Birthday of the Buddha and the Chung Yeung Festival in 2026 both fall on a Sunday, the day following them will be designated as a general holiday in substitution.". The aforementioned General holidays for 2026 (2026年公眾假期), was established in accordance with the Employment Ordinance and General Holidays Ordinance as well as amendments thereto, and in line with the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 which implemented a government proposal to increase the number of annual statutory public holidays in Hong Kong from 12 to 17, over the 9-year period from 2022 to 2030. As per the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021, the Birthday of the Buddha was made an annual statutory public holiday in 2022, and the first weekday after Christmas Day was made an annual statutory public holiday in 2024. As of 2026, Easter Monday will be an annual statutory public holiday. The 3 remaining public holidays to be changed into annual statutory public holidays are: Good Friday (2028), and the day following Good Friday (2030).
Hong Kong 2026 Public Holidays Released Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR) The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has published the gazetted list of 2026 general and public holidays in the Hong Kong SAR with the comment that "As the Ching Ming Festival in 2026 falls on a Sunday, the following day will be designated as a general holiday in substitution. In this connection, as the day following the Ching Ming Festival falls on Easter Monday, the next day that is not itself a general holiday will be observed as an additional general holiday. Moreover, as the Birthday of the Buddha and the Chung Yeung Festival in 2026 both fall on a Sunday, the day following them will be designated as a general holiday in substitution.". The aforementioned General holidays for 2026 (2026年公眾假期), was established in accordance with the Employment Ordinance and General Holidays Ordinance as well as amendments thereto, and in line with the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 which implemented a government proposal to increase the number of annual statutory public holidays in Hong Kong from 12 to 17, over the 9-year period from 2022 to 2030. As per the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021, the Birthday of the Buddha was made an annual statutory public holiday in 2022, and the first weekday after Christmas Day was made an annual statutory public holiday in 2024. As of 2026, Easter Monday will be an annual statutory public holiday. The 3 remaining public holidays to be changed into annual statutory public holidays are: Good Friday (2028), and the day following Good Friday (2030).
Timor Leste Declares Additional May 19 Public Holiday Press Release Government Of Timor-Leste (Dili) The government of Timor Leste has announced that it had decided to grant a public sector holiday on Monday, May 19, 2025 ("Tolerância de Ponto no dia 19 de maio de 2025 por ocasião das Celebrações do 23.º aniversário da “Restauração da Independência”") to bridge the one-day gap between the upcoming weekend and the annual, May 20, Independence Restoration holiday. As per the aforementioned announcement, "A day off is granted on May 19, 2025, all day." and "This order covers all employees, agents and workers who work in the State's direct administration services, whether central or decentralized, or in indirect administration bodies.". The declaration of Monday, May 19, 2025, as a public sector holiday, is in addition to the list of 2025 public holidays announced by the government of Timor Leste last month. The government of Timor Leste had similarly extended the 2018 Independence Restoration public holidays by declaring an additional day-off public sector holiday on Monday, May 21, 2018. And, in 2012, the government of Timor Leste had declared 3 day-off public sector holidays on May 17, 18, and 21, 2012, to coincide with the 10th Anniversary of Timor Leste's Restoration of Independence.
Timor Leste Declares Additional May 19 Public Holiday Press Release Government Of Timor-Leste (Dili) The government of Timor Leste has announced that it had decided to grant a public sector holiday on Monday, May 19, 2025 ("Tolerância de Ponto no dia 19 de maio de 2025 por ocasião das Celebrações do 23.º aniversário da “Restauração da Independência”") to bridge the one-day gap between the upcoming weekend and the annual, May 20, Independence Restoration holiday. As per the aforementioned announcement, "A day off is granted on May 19, 2025, all day." and "This order covers all employees, agents and workers who work in the State's direct administration services, whether central or decentralized, or in indirect administration bodies.". The declaration of Monday, May 19, 2025, as a public sector holiday, is in addition to the list of 2025 public holidays announced by the government of Timor Leste last month. The government of Timor Leste had similarly extended the 2018 Independence Restoration public holidays by declaring an additional day-off public sector holiday on Monday, May 21, 2018. And, in 2012, the government of Timor Leste had declared 3 day-off public sector holidays on May 17, 18, and 21, 2012, to coincide with the 10th Anniversary of Timor Leste's Restoration of Independence.
DR Congo Declares Additional FARDC Public Holiday On May 16 Présidence de la République Démocratique du Congo (Kinshasa) The ministre de l’emploi, travail et prévoyance sociale of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ephraïm Akwakwa, has issued a press communique declaring Friday, May 16, 2025, as a day in lieu public holiday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as per the decree n⁰23/042 du 30 mars 2023, signed by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. As per the aforementioned communique, "Étant donné que le 17 mai tombe un samedi, jour non ouvrable dans le secteur public conformément à l’article 1er du décret n°24/09 du 17 février 2024, le congé relatif à cette journée est exceptionnellement anticipé au vendredi 16 mai 2025, tant pour les services publics que pour les entreprises et établissements de toute nature". Normally, following the July 1st, 2024, transition to la semaine anglaise (ie. Monday-Friday workweek), Friday, May 16, 2025, should have been a public sector holiday only.
DR Congo Declares Additional FARDC Public Holiday On May 16 Présidence de la République Démocratique du Congo (Kinshasa) The ministre de l’emploi, travail et prévoyance sociale of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ephraïm Akwakwa, has issued a press communique declaring Friday, May 16, 2025, as a day in lieu public holiday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as per the decree n⁰23/042 du 30 mars 2023, signed by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. As per the aforementioned communique, "Étant donné que le 17 mai tombe un samedi, jour non ouvrable dans le secteur public conformément à l’article 1er du décret n°24/09 du 17 février 2024, le congé relatif à cette journée est exceptionnellement anticipé au vendredi 16 mai 2025, tant pour les services publics que pour les entreprises et établissements de toute nature". Normally, following the July 1st, 2024, transition to la semaine anglaise (ie. Monday-Friday workweek), Friday, May 16, 2025, should have been a public sector holiday only.
Nicaragua Declares May 30 Mothers Day Public Holiday Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua (MITRAB) Nicaragua's Ministry of Labor (Mitrab) has announced that Mother's Day, would be observed on May 30th, 2025 ("we want to reaffirm that May 30th, Mother's Day in Nicaragua, has been declared a Mandatory National Holiday by the National Assembly. Traditionally, it is celebrated every May 30th"). Recall that Mothers Day has been an annual public holiday for both the private and public sectors of Nicaragua as per the amendments to article 66 of the Labor Code contained in Law Number 1118 "Law Declaring Mother's Day a National Holiday", published in the Official Gazette Number 92 of May 20, 2022. Before Law 1118, Mothers Day was usually observed as a half-day public holiday limited to the public sector. Nicaragua's Mothers Day holiday was initially set on May 30, back in 1940. In 1976, it was moved from May 30 to the last Sunday of May. But, in 1980, the then National Reconstruction Government Board moved it back to May 30. Last year, Mother's Day was observed on May 30th and 31st, 2024, with the second day being restricted to the public sector ("Friday, May 31, is also a holiday for workers at the service of the People, from the Nicaraguan State, returning to ordinary work on Monday, June 3").
Nicaragua Declares May 30 Mothers Day Public Holiday Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua (MITRAB) Nicaragua's Ministry of Labor (Mitrab) has announced that Mother's Day, would be observed on May 30th, 2025 ("we want to reaffirm that May 30th, Mother's Day in Nicaragua, has been declared a Mandatory National Holiday by the National Assembly. Traditionally, it is celebrated every May 30th"). Recall that Mothers Day has been an annual public holiday for both the private and public sectors of Nicaragua as per the amendments to article 66 of the Labor Code contained in Law Number 1118 "Law Declaring Mother's Day a National Holiday", published in the Official Gazette Number 92 of May 20, 2022. Before Law 1118, Mothers Day was usually observed as a half-day public holiday limited to the public sector. Nicaragua's Mothers Day holiday was initially set on May 30, back in 1940. In 1976, it was moved from May 30 to the last Sunday of May. But, in 1980, the then National Reconstruction Government Board moved it back to May 30. Last year, Mother's Day was observed on May 30th and 31st, 2024, with the second day being restricted to the public sector ("Friday, May 31, is also a holiday for workers at the service of the People, from the Nicaraguan State, returning to ordinary work on Monday, June 3").
Turkmenistan Moves Constitution Day Public Holiday Turkmenistan Government Information Agency (Ashgabad) Turkmenistan's President, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has signed a decree moving the public holiday on account of the upcoming Day of the Constitution of Turkmenistan and the State Flag of Turkmenistan to Monday, May 19, 2025. As per the aforementioned Türkmenistanyň Prezidentiniň Permany Türkmenistanyň Konstitusiýasynyň we Türkmenistanyň Döwlet baýdagynyň gününe düşýän dynç gününi geçirmek hakynda, "In order to create favorable conditions for the celebration of the Day of the Constitution of Turkmenistan and the State Flag of Turkmenistan and for the people of our country to have a good rest, as well as in accordance with Part 2 of Article 81 of the Labor Code of Turkmenistan, I hereby decide: 1. The holiday of May 18, 2025, should be moved to Monday, May 19.".
Turkmenistan Moves Constitution Day Public Holiday Turkmenistan Government Information Agency (Ashgabad) Turkmenistan's President, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has signed a decree moving the public holiday on account of the upcoming Day of the Constitution of Turkmenistan and the State Flag of Turkmenistan to Monday, May 19, 2025. As per the aforementioned Türkmenistanyň Prezidentiniň Permany Türkmenistanyň Konstitusiýasynyň we Türkmenistanyň Döwlet baýdagynyň gününe düşýän dynç gününi geçirmek hakynda, "In order to create favorable conditions for the celebration of the Day of the Constitution of Turkmenistan and the State Flag of Turkmenistan and for the people of our country to have a good rest, as well as in accordance with Part 2 of Article 81 of the Labor Code of Turkmenistan, I hereby decide: 1. The holiday of May 18, 2025, should be moved to Monday, May 19.".
Kazakhstan Mulls June 1st Annual Public Holiday Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana) A deputy of Kazakhstan's Majilis, Kenzhegul Seitzhan, has called on the Prime Minister, Olzhas Bektenov, to declare June 1st as a new annual public holiday in Kazakhstan, as well as the introduction of new rules for public holidays falling on a weekend. Recall that, for the moment, the Government of Kazakhstan has not decided on the declaration of any bridge holidays and compensatory working Saturdays in 2025, as is customary "in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 85 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and for the rational use of working time", apart from last November's announcement by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population that "the day off from Sunday, January 5, 2025, is transferred to Friday, January 3, 2025".
Kazakhstan Mulls June 1st Annual Public Holiday Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana) A deputy of Kazakhstan's Majilis, Kenzhegul Seitzhan, has called on the Prime Minister, Olzhas Bektenov, to declare June 1st as a new annual public holiday in Kazakhstan, as well as the introduction of new rules for public holidays falling on a weekend. Recall that, for the moment, the Government of Kazakhstan has not decided on the declaration of any bridge holidays and compensatory working Saturdays in 2025, as is customary "in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 85 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and for the rational use of working time", apart from last November's announcement by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population that "the day off from Sunday, January 5, 2025, is transferred to Friday, January 3, 2025".
Cambodia Declares May 15 Royal Ploughing Ceremony Public Holiday Cabinet of the Prime Minister of Cambodia (Phnom Penh) Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Manet, has declared Thursday, May 15, 2025, as the date of the upcoming Royal Ploughing ceremony public holiday. The aforementioned announcement is in line with last August's Prakas No. 204 sub-decree, signed by Prime Minister, Hun Manet and establishing Cambodia's annual list of official non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2025.
Cambodia Declares May 15 Royal Ploughing Ceremony Public Holiday Cabinet of the Prime Minister of Cambodia (Phnom Penh) Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Manet, has declared Thursday, May 15, 2025, as the date of the upcoming Royal Ploughing ceremony public holiday. The aforementioned announcement is in line with last August's Prakas No. 204 sub-decree, signed by Prime Minister, Hun Manet and establishing Cambodia's annual list of official non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2025.
Extremadura 2026 Public Holidays Approved Diario Oficial de Extremadura (DOE) The Consejo de Gobierno of Spain's Autonomous Region of Extremadura has approved last February's draft list of regional public holidays for the calendar year 2026 (Calendario Laboral 2026). As per the aforementioned list, contrary to what was the case in 2023 and 2024, Shrove Tuesday will not be a public holiday in Extremadura in 2026, while the days off of November 1st and December 6 will be moved to November 2 and December 7, 2025.
Extremadura 2026 Public Holidays Approved Diario Oficial de Extremadura (DOE) The Consejo de Gobierno of Spain's Autonomous Region of Extremadura has approved last February's draft list of regional public holidays for the calendar year 2026 (Calendario Laboral 2026). As per the aforementioned list, contrary to what was the case in 2023 and 2024, Shrove Tuesday will not be a public holiday in Extremadura in 2026, while the days off of November 1st and December 6 will be moved to November 2 and December 7, 2025.
Jordan Declares May 25 Independence Day Public Holiday Jordan News Agency Petra (Amman) Jordanian Prime Minister, Jaafar Hassan, has issued a directive declaring a public holiday on Sunday, May 25, 2025, to mark the 79th anniversary of Jordan's independence. The aforementioned Independence Day public holiday will apply to all ministries, public institutions, government departments, public universities, municipalities, joint service councils, the Greater Amman Municipality, and state-owned enterprises. Although the above may seem to indicate that May 25 would be a public sector holiday only, back in October 2020, the then spokesperson for the Jordanian Ministry of Labour, Mohammad al-Zyoud, had clarified that "all official and religious holidays in Jordan include both public and private sectors" adding that "According to article 59 of the Labour Law, which clarifies the mechanism for making the employer work on his weekly, religious or public holidays, official communications issued for this purpose include private sector institutions without mentioning them in the communications.". A similar clarification was issued again at the end of December 2023 by the Jordanian Ministry of Labour.
Jordan Declares May 25 Independence Day Public Holiday Jordan News Agency Petra (Amman) Jordanian Prime Minister, Jaafar Hassan, has issued a directive declaring a public holiday on Sunday, May 25, 2025, to mark the 79th anniversary of Jordan's independence. The aforementioned Independence Day public holiday will apply to all ministries, public institutions, government departments, public universities, municipalities, joint service councils, the Greater Amman Municipality, and state-owned enterprises. Although the above may seem to indicate that May 25 would be a public sector holiday only, back in October 2020, the then spokesperson for the Jordanian Ministry of Labour, Mohammad al-Zyoud, had clarified that "all official and religious holidays in Jordan include both public and private sectors" adding that "According to article 59 of the Labour Law, which clarifies the mechanism for making the employer work on his weekly, religious or public holidays, official communications issued for this purpose include private sector institutions without mentioning them in the communications.". A similar clarification was issued again at the end of December 2023 by the Jordanian Ministry of Labour.
Kuwait Rules-Out Eid Public Holidays Extension Kuwait Civil Service Commission (Kuwait City) The Kuwaiti Civil Service Commission has responded to messages circulating on social media with a denial that the upcoming Eid al-Adha public holidays would be extended. Recall that, late last month, the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers, at a meeting led by Kuwait’s Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al Sabah, had announced public sector holidays for all ministries, governmental bodies, and public institutions, on the occasion of the upcoming Arafat Day and the Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) as follows "public sector holidays will span four days - from Thursday, June 5 to Sunday, June 8, 2025. Monday, June 9, has been designated as a day of rest.".
Kuwait Rules-Out Eid Public Holidays Extension Kuwait Civil Service Commission (Kuwait City) The Kuwaiti Civil Service Commission has responded to messages circulating on social media with a denial that the upcoming Eid al-Adha public holidays would be extended. Recall that, late last month, the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers, at a meeting led by Kuwait’s Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al Sabah, had announced public sector holidays for all ministries, governmental bodies, and public institutions, on the occasion of the upcoming Arafat Day and the Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) as follows "public sector holidays will span four days - from Thursday, June 5 to Sunday, June 8, 2025. Monday, June 9, has been designated as a day of rest.".
La Rioja 2026 Public Holidays Gazetted Boletin Oficial De La Rioja (La Rioja) The Secretario General Técnico de la Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Empresa y Trabajo Autónomo. Ezequiel Fernández Navajas, has signed and gazetted the annual list of regional public holidays in Spain's autonomous region of La Rioja for the upcoming calendar year 2026 in the Resolución 164/2025 de 8 de mayo, de la Secretaría General Técnica de la Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Empresa y Trabajo Autónomo por la que se dispone la publicación del Acuerdo de Gobierno por el que se aprueba el calendario de festivos laborales para el año 2026 en la Comunidad Autónoma de La Rioja. (BOR de 12 de mayo de 2025). In 2026, and for the 14th consecutive year, the Autonomous Region of La Rioja has switched the regional public holiday of March 19 (San José), which it had observed from 2009-2012, for the June 9 (Día de La Rioja).
La Rioja 2026 Public Holidays Gazetted Boletin Oficial De La Rioja (La Rioja) The Secretario General Técnico de la Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Empresa y Trabajo Autónomo. Ezequiel Fernández Navajas, has signed and gazetted the annual list of regional public holidays in Spain's autonomous region of La Rioja for the upcoming calendar year 2026 in the Resolución 164/2025 de 8 de mayo, de la Secretaría General Técnica de la Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Empresa y Trabajo Autónomo por la que se dispone la publicación del Acuerdo de Gobierno por el que se aprueba el calendario de festivos laborales para el año 2026 en la Comunidad Autónoma de La Rioja. (BOR de 12 de mayo de 2025). In 2026, and for the 14th consecutive year, the Autonomous Region of La Rioja has switched the regional public holiday of March 19 (San José), which it had observed from 2009-2012, for the June 9 (Día de La Rioja).
Nepal Declares Double Public Holiday On May 12 Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that the Nepalese Government had declared Monday, May 12, 2025, as a public holiday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautam, or Gautam Buddha, as well as, coincidentally in 2025, the Ubhauli festival. The declaration of Monday, May 12, 2025, as a public holiday is in line with the gazetted list of official non-working public holidays in Nepal for the Nepalese year 2082 (April 2025-April 2026) which was issued by the Government of Nepal, in early March of this year.
Nepal Declares Double Public Holiday On May 12 Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that the Nepalese Government had declared Monday, May 12, 2025, as a public holiday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautam, or Gautam Buddha, as well as, coincidentally in 2025, the Ubhauli festival. The declaration of Monday, May 12, 2025, as a public holiday is in line with the gazetted list of official non-working public holidays in Nepal for the Nepalese year 2082 (April 2025-April 2026) which was issued by the Government of Nepal, in early March of this year.
Sikkim Adds Annual February 26 Public Sector Holiday The Home Department of Government of Sikkim (Gangtok) The Government of India's State of Sikkim has announced that Friday, May 16, 2025, would be a public holiday to celebrate Sikkim State Day, commemorating the date in 1975 when Sikkim officially became the 22nd state of India. As per the aforementioned notice, government offices, schools, banks and several institutions will remain closed across the state.
Sikkim Adds Annual February 26 Public Sector Holiday The Home Department of Government of Sikkim (Gangtok) The Government of India's State of Sikkim has announced that Friday, May 16, 2025, would be a public holiday to celebrate Sikkim State Day, commemorating the date in 1975 when Sikkim officially became the 22nd state of India. As per the aforementioned notice, government offices, schools, banks and several institutions will remain closed across the state.
