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Worldwide Public Holidays News and Updates


worldwide public holidays news and updates of the past seven days
The qppstudio worldwide public holidays database and the worldwide public holidays listings on the qppstudio.net website are constantly updated to reflect changes to public holidays legislation, or ad hoc public holidays changes, anywhere in the world.

The worldwide public holidays news and updates, below, can be accessed via our Android or iPhone apps which are 100% ad-free and whose data feed is updated nightly.

You may also access our lists of worldwide public holidays* by country, by date, or by region. This website also lists global holidays and observances for the next 10 years (2025-2035).

May 21, 2025

  • Kazakhstan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kazakhstan Announces 2025 Eid al-Adha Public Holiday
    Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana)

    The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Kazakhstan has announced that Friday, June 6, 2025, will be a non-working day in connection with the celebration of Eid al-Adha (the feast of sacrifice).

    The aforementioned announcement reads "According to the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, in 2025, the holiday of Kurban Ait will fall on June 6. Thus, June 6 (Friday) of the current year is a day off", adding that "According to paragraph 5 of Article 84 of the Labor Code, the first day of Kurban Ait, celebrated according to the Muslim calendar, is a day off. However, it is not included in the list of state holidays".    
  • Kazakhstan Announces 2025 Eid al-Adha Public Holiday
    Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana)

    The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Kazakhstan has announced that Friday, June 6, 2025, will be a non-working day in connection with the celebration of Eid al-Adha (the feast of sacrifice).

    The aforementioned announcement reads "According to the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, in 2025, the holiday of Kurban Ait will fall on June 6. Thus, June 6 (Friday) of the current year is a day off", adding that "According to paragraph 5 of Article 84 of the Labor Code, the first day of Kurban Ait, celebrated according to the Muslim calendar, is a day off. However, it is not included in the list of state holidays".    
  • Liberia
  • Liberia
  • Liberia Mulls Extension Of Christian and Muslim Public Holidays
    Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Monrovia)

    Three Liberian senators have submitted a bill to the Senate aiming to establish both Christian and Muslim holy days as official national public holidays.

    As per the aforementioned An Act to Establish Certain Religious Holidays in the Republic of Liberia, sponsored by Lofa County Senator Cllr. Joseph Jallah and co-sponsored by Senators Edwin Melvin Snowe of Bomi and Amara M. Konneh of Gbarpolu, major religious holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha, would henceforth be recognized as national public holidays in Liberia.

    Section 4 of the bill specifies that "The exact date for Eid al-Fitr shall be determined annually in consultation with the National Muslim Council of Liberia or through proclamation that shall be issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (if applicable) shall officially announce the Eid holiday at least five (5) days in advance of its expected occurrence each year".

    The bill has passed its first reading and, after a successful second reading, would then be referred to the relevant committee for detailed scrutiny before returning to the floor for debate and a possible vote.    
  • Liberia Mulls Extension Of Christian and Muslim Public Holidays
    Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Monrovia)

    Three Liberian senators have submitted a bill to the Senate aiming to establish both Christian and Muslim holy days as official national public holidays.

    As per the aforementioned An Act to Establish Certain Religious Holidays in the Republic of Liberia, sponsored by Lofa County Senator Cllr. Joseph Jallah and co-sponsored by Senators Edwin Melvin Snowe of Bomi and Amara M. Konneh of Gbarpolu, major religious holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha, would henceforth be recognized as national public holidays in Liberia.

    Section 4 of the bill specifies that "The exact date for Eid al-Fitr shall be determined annually in consultation with the National Muslim Council of Liberia or through proclamation that shall be issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (if applicable) shall officially announce the Eid holiday at least five (5) days in advance of its expected occurrence each year".

    The bill has passed its first reading and, after a successful second reading, would then be referred to the relevant committee for detailed scrutiny before returning to the floor for debate and a possible vote.    

May 20, 2025

  • Kazakhstan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kazakhstan Days In Lieu Public Holidays Update
    Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana)

    More information is coming out about the contents of Majilis deputy Kenzhegul Seitzhan's proposal to the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, regarding a reform to the transfer of days off (days in lieu and bridge holidays).

    Deputy Seitzhan proposes approving the schedule of transfers of days off for two years in advance, for example, now approving the transfer of days off until the end of 2027, hence "allowing businesses to make long-term plans, and Kazakhstanis to plan vacations and family events in advance".

    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".

    And, in 2024, the decision to move the day off from May 4, 2024 (Saturday) to May 8 (Wednesday) 2024 was made only 17 days in advance.    
  • Kazakhstan Days In Lieu Public Holidays Update
    Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana)

    More information is coming out about the contents of Majilis deputy Kenzhegul Seitzhan's proposal to the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, regarding a reform to the transfer of days off (days in lieu and bridge holidays).

    Deputy Seitzhan proposes approving the schedule of transfers of days off for two years in advance, for example, now approving the transfer of days off until the end of 2027, hence "allowing businesses to make long-term plans, and Kazakhstanis to plan vacations and family events in advance".

    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".

    And, in 2024, the decision to move the day off from May 4, 2024 (Saturday) to May 8 (Wednesday) 2024 was made only 17 days in advance.    
  • Vanuatu
  • Vanuatu
  • Vanuatu Parliament Moves to Cancel Six Provincial Public Holidays
    Government of Vanuatu (Port Vila)

    A motion to cancel the 6 provincial public holidays, observed since independence in 1980, has gained support in Vanuatu's Parliament.

    As per the current version of the Public Holidays Amendment Act No. 2025, all national public holidays would be retained in compensation for the cancellation of Vanuatu's 6 provincial public holidays.

    In addition, the practice of declaring a day in lieu public holiday on the Monday after a weekend public holiday would also stop.

    Recall that, last March, Vanuatu's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had announced that, as part of its 100-day plan, one of its priorities would be to reduce the number of annual public holidays to improve the public sector's efficiency, as well as reviewing the issue of what happens when a public holiday fall on a weekend.

    Vanuatu's current government was formed following the recent snap elections held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, a date which was declared a one-off public holiday.    
  • Vanuatu Parliament Moves to Cancel Six Provincial Public Holidays
    Government of Vanuatu (Port Vila)

    A motion to cancel the 6 provincial public holidays, observed since independence in 1980, has gained support in Vanuatu's Parliament.

    As per the current version of the Public Holidays Amendment Act No. 2025, all national public holidays would be retained in compensation for the cancellation of Vanuatu's 6 provincial public holidays.

    In addition, the practice of declaring a day in lieu public holiday on the Monday after a weekend public holiday would also stop.

    Recall that, last March, Vanuatu's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had announced that, as part of its 100-day plan, one of its priorities would be to reduce the number of annual public holidays to improve the public sector's efficiency, as well as reviewing the issue of what happens when a public holiday fall on a weekend.

    Vanuatu's current government was formed following the recent snap elections held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, a date which was declared a one-off public holiday.    
  • Yemen
  • Yemen
  • Yemen Declares May 22 Public Holiday
    Yemen News Agency (SABA)

    Yemen's Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Development has announced to all employees of state administrative units, the public sector, and the mixed sector, based on Law No. 2 of 2000, Article No. 3, Paragraph No. 4, regarding official holidays and vacations, that "next Thursday, 24 Dhu al-Qa'dah 1446 AH (22 May 2025), will be an official holiday in observance of the 35th National Day of the Republic of Yemen".    
  • Yemen Declares May 22 Public Holiday
    Yemen News Agency (SABA)

    Yemen's Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Development has announced to all employees of state administrative units, the public sector, and the mixed sector, based on Law No. 2 of 2000, Article No. 3, Paragraph No. 4, regarding official holidays and vacations, that "next Thursday, 24 Dhu al-Qa'dah 1446 AH (22 May 2025), will be an official holiday in observance of the 35th National Day of the Republic of Yemen".    

May 19, 2025

  • Andalucia (AN)
  • Andalucia (AN)
  • Andalucia 2026 Public Holidays Gazetted
    Boletín Oficial de la Junta de Andalucía (BOJA)

    The recently-announced list of annual non-working public holidays in Spain's Autonomous Region of Andalucia for the calendar year 2026, the "Decreto 101/2025, de 14 de mayo, de la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía, por el que se determina el calendario de Fiestas Laborales de la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía para el año 2026." has been gazetted in the Boletín Oficial de la Junta de Andalucía (BOJA de 19 de mayo de 2025).

    As mentioned when we recently posted the news that the 2026 calendario laboral of Andalucia had been announced, many Spanish regions gazette their calendario laboral months after announcing its contents, but Andalucia usually gazettes its calendario laboral soon after announcing the dates of the regional public holidays for the coming year (less than a week later, in the present case).    
  • Andalucia 2026 Public Holidays Gazetted
    Boletín Oficial de la Junta de Andalucía (BOJA)

    The recently-announced list of annual non-working public holidays in Spain's Autonomous Region of Andalucia for the calendar year 2026, the "Decreto 101/2025, de 14 de mayo, de la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía, por el que se determina el calendario de Fiestas Laborales de la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía para el año 2026." has been gazetted in the Boletín Oficial de la Junta de Andalucía (BOJA de 19 de mayo de 2025).

    As mentioned when we recently posted the news that the 2026 calendario laboral of Andalucia had been announced, many Spanish regions gazette their calendario laboral months after announcing its contents, but Andalucia usually gazettes its calendario laboral soon after announcing the dates of the regional public holidays for the coming year (less than a week later, in the present case).    
  • Pakistan
  • Pakistan
  • Pakistan Declares Youm-e-Takbeer Public Holiday Again
    Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad)

    The Federal government of Pakistan has announced that Wednesday, May 28, 2025, would be a public holiday in Pakistan in observance of Youm-e-Takbeer.

    Recall that, last May, Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, issued the press release Declaration of Public Holiday on the Occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer declaring that Tuesday, May 28, 2024, had been declared a public holiday to mark Youm-e-Takbeer, the anniversary of Pakistan's first nuclear detonation in 1998.

    In a subsequent announcement, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) similarly announced that all banks in Pakistan would observe a bank holiday on May 28, 2024, in honor of Youm-e-Takbeer.

    But, at the time, it was not clear, at this point, if May 28 is to become an annual public holiday and bank holiday in Pakistan.    
  • Pakistan Declares Youm-e-Takbeer Public Holiday Again
    Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad)

    The Federal government of Pakistan has announced that Wednesday, May 28, 2025, would be a public holiday in Pakistan in observance of Youm-e-Takbeer.

    Recall that, last May, Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, issued the press release Declaration of Public Holiday on the Occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer declaring that Tuesday, May 28, 2024, had been declared a public holiday to mark Youm-e-Takbeer, the anniversary of Pakistan's first nuclear detonation in 1998.

    In a subsequent announcement, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) similarly announced that all banks in Pakistan would observe a bank holiday on May 28, 2024, in honor of Youm-e-Takbeer.

    But, at the time, it was not clear, at this point, if May 28 is to become an annual public holiday and bank holiday in Pakistan.    
  • Qatar
  • Qatar
  • Qatar Overhauls Annual Public Holidays
    Qatari News Agency (QNA)

    Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has approved the recent Cabinet decision overhauling the list of annual public holidays observed by

    ministries, government agencies, public bodies and institutions.

    The aforementioned Cabinet decision specifies the beginning and ending dates of future Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) public holidays.

    It also specifies that "if there is a single working day in between two official holidays, then it would also be included in the holidays" and that "if the weekend falls between any of these celebrations, then it will also be included in the official holiday".

    Recall that the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), banks, and financial institutions working under the supervision of QCB and Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), observe bank holidays dates as specified independently by the Governor of Qatar's Central Bank.

    Since 1999, Qatari weekends are Friday-Saturday.    
  • Qatar Overhauls Annual Public Holidays
    Qatari News Agency (QNA)

    Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has approved the recent Cabinet decision overhauling the list of annual public holidays observed by

    ministries, government agencies, public bodies and institutions.

    The aforementioned Cabinet decision specifies the beginning and ending dates of future Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) public holidays.

    It also specifies that "if there is a single working day in between two official holidays, then it would also be included in the holidays" and that "if the weekend falls between any of these celebrations, then it will also be included in the official holiday".

    Recall that the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), banks, and financial institutions working under the supervision of QCB and Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), observe bank holidays dates as specified independently by the Governor of Qatar's Central Bank.

    Since 1999, Qatari weekends are Friday-Saturday.    

* to illustrate the qppstudio.net ability to forecast all the public holidays of all the countries of the world for any year in the future, see our pages of 2035 public holidays in Australia, Austria, Bhutan, Canada, Germany, India, Nepal, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA.