worldwide public holidays news and updates of the past seven 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.
You can download our free apps for Android and iPhone, which are devoid of any ads, and whose data feed is updated nightly, to access an extended version of the recent worldwide public holidays news and updates, below, complemented by contextual and historical background information extracted from our database of tens of thousands of news items collated over the past 25 years.
Basel-Stadt Announces 2030-2031 Public Holidays Kanton Basel-Stadt (Basel) Switzerland's canton of Basel-Stadt has announced its list of 2030 and 2031 public holidays and paid days off work. As per the government site, "The canton of Basel-Stadt has a total of nine public holidays. These are generally days off work, and most shops are closed.".
Basel-Stadt Announces 2030-2031 Public Holidays Kanton Basel-Stadt (Basel) Switzerland's canton of Basel-Stadt has announced its list of 2030 and 2031 public holidays and paid days off work. As per the government site, "The canton of Basel-Stadt has a total of nine public holidays. These are generally days off work, and most shops are closed.".
Madhya Pradesh Called On To Declare August 9 Public Holiday Government of Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal) The Tribal Congress of India's State of Madhya Pradesh has called on the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav, to declare Sunday, August 9, 2026, as a public holiday to mark World Tribal Day.
Madhya Pradesh Called On To Declare August 9 Public Holiday Government of Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal) The Tribal Congress of India's State of Madhya Pradesh has called on the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav, to declare Sunday, August 9, 2026, as a public holiday to mark World Tribal Day.
Myanmar Amends 2026 Public Holidays Again Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Yangoon) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Myanmar has issued yet another amended version of its annual list of official Myanmar bank holidays and non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2026.
Myanmar Amends 2026 Public Holidays Again Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Yangoon) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Myanmar has issued yet another amended version of its annual list of official Myanmar bank holidays and non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2026.
Peru's Minister of Labor Rules-Out Public Holidays Reduction Diario Oficial El Peruano (Lima) Peru's Minister of Labor and Employment Promotion, Juan Sheput Moore, has responded to the leaked draft law delegating legislative powers to the Executive Branch by rejected the claims that the Government is seeking to eliminate holidays through the project to delegate powers. As per the announcement, "The number of holidays will not be increased or decreased because we first need to conduct an impact assessment and we need to talk to the people involved".
Peru's Minister of Labor Rules-Out Public Holidays Reduction Diario Oficial El Peruano (Lima) Peru's Minister of Labor and Employment Promotion, Juan Sheput Moore, has responded to the leaked draft law delegating legislative powers to the Executive Branch by rejected the claims that the Government is seeking to eliminate holidays through the project to delegate powers. As per the announcement, "The number of holidays will not be increased or decreased because we first need to conduct an impact assessment and we need to talk to the people involved".
South Sudan Debates National Holidays Bill 2026 Government of South Sudan Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development (Juba) The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Legislation and Legal Affairs of the Parliament of South Sudan, Deng Tiel Ayuen, has presented the draft National Holidays Bill, 2026, a private member’s bill seeking to establish a legal framework for the recognition and observance of national and religious public holidays in South Sudan.
South Sudan Debates National Holidays Bill 2026 Government of South Sudan Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development (Juba) The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Legislation and Legal Affairs of the Parliament of South Sudan, Deng Tiel Ayuen, has presented the draft National Holidays Bill, 2026, a private member’s bill seeking to establish a legal framework for the recognition and observance of national and religious public holidays in South Sudan.
Tamil Nadu Declares August 14 Public Holiday For Aadipooram Festival Government of Tamil Nadu (Chennai) The Chengalpattu district administration of India's State of Tamil Nadu has declared Friday, August 14, 2026, as a local public holiday in view of the Aadipooram festival to be celebrated at the Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Temple in Cheyyur Taluk. To compensate for this one-off public holiday, Saturday, August 29, 2026, has been declared a working day for all government offices in the Chengalpattu district.
Tamil Nadu Declares August 14 Public Holiday For Aadipooram Festival Government of Tamil Nadu (Chennai) The Chengalpattu district administration of India's State of Tamil Nadu has declared Friday, August 14, 2026, as a local public holiday in view of the Aadipooram festival to be celebrated at the Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Temple in Cheyyur Taluk. To compensate for this one-off public holiday, Saturday, August 29, 2026, has been declared a working day for all government offices in the Chengalpattu district.
Christmas Island Announces 2027 Public Holidays Office of the Administrator (Indian Ocean Territories) The Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Farzian Zainal, has signed the Notice - Proclamation - Special Public and Bank Holidays 2027 Territory of Christmas Island No A14/2026 which gazettes the annual bank holidays and public holidays on Christmas Island for the upcoming calendar year 2027.
Christmas Island Announces 2027 Public Holidays Office of the Administrator (Indian Ocean Territories) The Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Farzian Zainal, has signed the Notice - Proclamation - Special Public and Bank Holidays 2027 Territory of Christmas Island No A14/2026 which gazettes the annual bank holidays and public holidays on Christmas Island for the upcoming calendar year 2027.
Kyrgyzstan President Signs Electoral Bill Into Law Ministry of Labor Employment and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic (Bishkek) The Presidentof Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, has signed the constitutional amendments bill О выборах президента и депутатов Жогорку Кенеша Кыргызской Республики (On Elections of the President and Deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic) which amends the date of future presidential elections. The same law stipulates that regular elections for members of the Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyzstan's parliament) are to be held on the Wednesday of the month (which is not specified) in which the constitutional term of the current convocation expires. The most recent early parliamentary elections were held on November 30, 2025. As per the aforementioned law, voting days for parliamentary and presidential elections are considered days off with pay, regardless of the employer's form of ownership.
Kyrgyzstan President Signs Electoral Bill Into Law Ministry of Labor Employment and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic (Bishkek) The Presidentof Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, has signed the constitutional amendments bill О выборах президента и депутатов Жогорку Кенеша Кыргызской Республики (On Elections of the President and Deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic) which amends the date of future presidential elections. The same law stipulates that regular elections for members of the Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyzstan's parliament) are to be held on the Wednesday of the month (which is not specified) in which the constitutional term of the current convocation expires. The most recent early parliamentary elections were held on November 30, 2025. As per the aforementioned law, voting days for parliamentary and presidential elections are considered days off with pay, regardless of the employer's form of ownership.
Moldova To Consider Reducing The Number Of Public Holidays Agentia Informationala de Stat (Moldpres) At today's Government Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister of Moldova, Vasile Tofan, has sated that there are too many holidays in the Republic of Moldova and that their number should be revised. As per the very faintly-worded statement, "We have too many days off. I understand that we are on thin ice now. I am waiting for someone to come up with an initiative where we can review the days off.".
Moldova To Consider Reducing The Number Of Public Holidays Agentia Informationala de Stat (Moldpres) At today's Government Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister of Moldova, Vasile Tofan, has sated that there are too many holidays in the Republic of Moldova and that their number should be revised. As per the very faintly-worded statement, "We have too many days off. I understand that we are on thin ice now. I am waiting for someone to come up with an initiative where we can review the days off.".
New Zealand Repeals The Holidays Act 2003 New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (Wellington) Earlier today, the Employment Leave Bill passed its third and final reading in New Zealand's Parliament, repealing the Holidays Act 2003 and replacing it with a system that counts leave in hours rather than in weeks and days The Employment Leave Bill simplifies the issue of public holidays entitlements being based on the murky concept of whether a particular day would otherwise be a working day for a given employee, with a new simpler test.
New Zealand Repeals The Holidays Act 2003 New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (Wellington) Earlier today, the Employment Leave Bill passed its third and final reading in New Zealand's Parliament, repealing the Holidays Act 2003 and replacing it with a system that counts leave in hours rather than in weeks and days The Employment Leave Bill simplifies the issue of public holidays entitlements being based on the murky concept of whether a particular day would otherwise be a working day for a given employee, with a new simpler test.
Senegal 2026 Magal Public Holiday Not Yet Extended Site Officiel du Gouvernement du Sénégal (Dakar) The weekly Senegalese Council of Ministers session has concluded without any announcement of an official day in lieu public holiday on Monday, August 3, 2026, to compensate the 2026 Magal de Touba public holiday falling on a Sunday.
Senegal 2026 Magal Public Holiday Not Yet Extended Site Officiel du Gouvernement du Sénégal (Dakar) The weekly Senegalese Council of Ministers session has concluded without any announcement of an official day in lieu public holiday on Monday, August 3, 2026, to compensate the 2026 Magal de Touba public holiday falling on a Sunday.
Costa Rica Maintains August 2 Public Holiday Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de Costa Rica (San José) Costa Rica's Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) has issued a communique confirming that the upcoming Day of the Virgin of the Angels public holiday would be observed on its set date of Sunday, August 2, 2026, and would not be moved.
Costa Rica Maintains August 2 Public Holiday Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de Costa Rica (San José) Costa Rica's Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) has issued a communique confirming that the upcoming Day of the Virgin of the Angels public holiday would be observed on its set date of Sunday, August 2, 2026, and would not be moved.
South Sudan Declares July 30 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, Deng Kanjok, has announced that the national government had declared Thursday, July 30, 2026, as a public holiday on account of the upcoming Martyrs Day. As per the aforementioned Public Announcement RSS/Mol/J/24, "The National Ministry of Labour hereby informs all civil service institutions, commissions. diplomatic missions, UN agencies, NGOs, private sector institutions. and the general public that Thursday, 30th July 2026, shall be a public holiday in commemoration of Martyrs’ Day." adding, as is customary in such announcements, that "Official work shall resume on Friday, 31th July 2026.".
South Sudan Declares July 30 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, Deng Kanjok, has announced that the national government had declared Thursday, July 30, 2026, as a public holiday on account of the upcoming Martyrs Day. As per the aforementioned Public Announcement RSS/Mol/J/24, "The National Ministry of Labour hereby informs all civil service institutions, commissions. diplomatic missions, UN agencies, NGOs, private sector institutions. and the general public that Thursday, 30th July 2026, shall be a public holiday in commemoration of Martyrs’ Day." adding, as is customary in such announcements, that "Official work shall resume on Friday, 31th July 2026.".
Vietnam Announces Extent Of 2026 National Day Public Holidays Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Hanoi) Vietnam's Ministry of Interior has issued the công văn (official document) No.9441/TB-BNV regarding the National Day holiday schedule for 2026 for administrative agencies, public service organizations, political organizations, socio-political organizations, businesses, and other employers to implement. The aforementioned extended dates will run from Saturday, August 29, to Wednesday, September 2, 2026. As for the private sector, employers must notify employees if they plan to take the second day of National Day on September 1st or September 3rd, at least 30 days in advance.
Vietnam Announces Extent Of 2026 National Day Public Holidays Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Hanoi) Vietnam's Ministry of Interior has issued the công văn (official document) No.9441/TB-BNV regarding the National Day holiday schedule for 2026 for administrative agencies, public service organizations, political organizations, socio-political organizations, businesses, and other employers to implement. The aforementioned extended dates will run from Saturday, August 29, to Wednesday, September 2, 2026. As for the private sector, employers must notify employees if they plan to take the second day of National Day on September 1st or September 3rd, at least 30 days in advance.
Benin Declares August 1st Paid Public Holiday Site officiel du gouvernement du Bénin (Cotonou) Benin's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Adidjatou A. Mathys, has issued the communique No.010/MTFP/DC/SGM/DGT/SA announcing that the government of Bénin had declared Saturday, August 1, 2026, as a paid public holiday throughout the Bénin on account of Independence Day. As per the aforementioned communique, signed by her Cabinet Director, Victorin Honvoh, "The Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget and the Civil Service wishes to remind everyone that, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 90-019 of July 27, 1990, establishing public holidays in the Republic of Benin, Saturday, August 1, 2026—National Day—is a paid public holiday throughout the national territory.".
Benin Declares August 1st Paid Public Holiday Site officiel du gouvernement du Bénin (Cotonou) Benin's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Adidjatou A. Mathys, has issued the communique No.010/MTFP/DC/SGM/DGT/SA announcing that the government of Bénin had declared Saturday, August 1, 2026, as a paid public holiday throughout the Bénin on account of Independence Day. As per the aforementioned communique, signed by her Cabinet Director, Victorin Honvoh, "The Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget and the Civil Service wishes to remind everyone that, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 90-019 of July 27, 1990, establishing public holidays in the Republic of Benin, Saturday, August 1, 2026—National Day—is a paid public holiday throughout the national territory.".
Bihar Declares July 30 Electoral Public Holiday Government of Bihar (Patna) The General Administration Department of the Government of India's state of Bihar has released the vide notification No. 3/H-01/2023-13226/GAD which declares a one-off electoral public holiday (सवेतनिक सार्वजनिक अवकाश) for Thursday, July 30, 2026, for the bye-election to the 182–Bankipur Assembly Constituency. As per the aforementioned notification, "Pursuant to the communication of the Election Commission of India, the polling for the 2026 bye-elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Bihar, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh has been fixed for 30 July 2026 (Thursday). Accordingly, in accordance with Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, 30 July 2026 (Thursday), being the polling day for the bye-election to the 182–Bankipur Assembly Constituency, is hereby declared a paid public holiday. This paid public holiday on 30 July 2026 (Thursday) shall apply only to the 182–Bankipur Assembly Constituency.".
Bihar Declares July 30 Electoral Public Holiday Government of Bihar (Patna) The General Administration Department of the Government of India's state of Bihar has released the vide notification No. 3/H-01/2023-13226/GAD which declares a one-off electoral public holiday (सवेतनिक सार्वजनिक अवकाश) for Thursday, July 30, 2026, for the bye-election to the 182–Bankipur Assembly Constituency. As per the aforementioned notification, "Pursuant to the communication of the Election Commission of India, the polling for the 2026 bye-elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Bihar, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh has been fixed for 30 July 2026 (Thursday). Accordingly, in accordance with Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, 30 July 2026 (Thursday), being the polling day for the bye-election to the 182–Bankipur Assembly Constituency, is hereby declared a paid public holiday. This paid public holiday on 30 July 2026 (Thursday) shall apply only to the 182–Bankipur Assembly Constituency.".
DR Congo Moves Parents' Day Public Holiday Présidence de la République Démocratique du Congo (Kinshasa) The Minister of Employment and Labour of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ferdinand Massamba wa Massamba, has declared that the paid public holiday of Saturday, August 1, 2026, dedicated to Parents' Day, has been postponed to Monday, August 3, 2026, due to its coincidence with a Saturday, a non-working day in the public sector. As per the note issued by the Minister of Gender, Family and Children, acting as interim Minister of Employment and Labour, Micheline Ombae Kalama, the decision concerns public administrations, public and private companies, and educational institutions throughout the entire national territory, and is based on the decree of March 30, 2023, establishing the legal holidays in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as on the regulations relating to public administration.
DR Congo Moves Parents' Day Public Holiday Présidence de la République Démocratique du Congo (Kinshasa) The Minister of Employment and Labour of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ferdinand Massamba wa Massamba, has declared that the paid public holiday of Saturday, August 1, 2026, dedicated to Parents' Day, has been postponed to Monday, August 3, 2026, due to its coincidence with a Saturday, a non-working day in the public sector. As per the note issued by the Minister of Gender, Family and Children, acting as interim Minister of Employment and Labour, Micheline Ombae Kalama, the decision concerns public administrations, public and private companies, and educational institutions throughout the entire national territory, and is based on the decree of March 30, 2023, establishing the legal holidays in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as on the regulations relating to public administration.
Greece 2027 Public Holidays Announced The Bank of Greece (Athens) The Bank of Greece, Greece's Central Bank, has released its annual list of the official non-working public holidays and bank holidays in Greece for the calendar year 2026 (Ημέρες γενικής αργίας για το έτος 2027). As usual, the aforementioned list of bank holidays and public holidays for the calendar year 2027, omits public holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday, as public holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday are not compensated under Greek labour law ("Ανακοινώνεται ότι οι ημέρες αργίας της Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος για το έτος 2027 είναι οι ακόλουθες").
Greece 2027 Public Holidays Announced The Bank of Greece (Athens) The Bank of Greece, Greece's Central Bank, has released its annual list of the official non-working public holidays and bank holidays in Greece for the calendar year 2026 (Ημέρες γενικής αργίας για το έτος 2027). As usual, the aforementioned list of bank holidays and public holidays for the calendar year 2027, omits public holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday, as public holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday are not compensated under Greek labour law ("Ανακοινώνεται ότι οι ημέρες αργίας της Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος για το έτος 2027 είναι οι ακόλουθες").
Manipur Declares July 28 Durand Cup Public Holiday Government of Manipur (Imphal) The Government of India's state of Manipur has issued a notification declaring a half-day public holiday on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, for all state government offices and educational institutions to enable football enthusiasts to watch the state’s first match of the 2026 Durand Cup at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal. As per the official statement, the half-holiday will be observed during the second half of the working day.
Manipur Declares July 28 Durand Cup Public Holiday Government of Manipur (Imphal) The Government of India's state of Manipur has issued a notification declaring a half-day public holiday on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, for all state government offices and educational institutions to enable football enthusiasts to watch the state’s first match of the 2026 Durand Cup at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal. As per the official statement, the half-holiday will be observed during the second half of the working day.
Nicaragua Declares August 1 and 10 Public Holidays Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua (MITRAB) Nicaragua's Minister of Labor, Johana Vanessa Flores Jiménez, as instructed by the Co-Presidents of Nicaragua, Commander Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo, has announced that the Ministry of Labor (MITRAB) had declared a paid public holiday for all workers in the municipality of Managua on Saturday, August 1st, and Monday, August 10th, 2026, on the occasion of the traditional festivities in honor of Santo Domingo de Guzmán.
Nicaragua Declares August 1 and 10 Public Holidays Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua (MITRAB) Nicaragua's Minister of Labor, Johana Vanessa Flores Jiménez, as instructed by the Co-Presidents of Nicaragua, Commander Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo, has announced that the Ministry of Labor (MITRAB) had declared a paid public holiday for all workers in the municipality of Managua on Saturday, August 1st, and Monday, August 10th, 2026, on the occasion of the traditional festivities in honor of Santo Domingo de Guzmán.
Russia Approves 2027 Public Holidays ITAR-TASS (Moscow) The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation has approved an earlier draft resolution of the Russian Government proposing a list of official public holidays and bridge holidays in Russia for the upcoming calendar year 2027.
Russia Approves 2027 Public Holidays ITAR-TASS (Moscow) The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation has approved an earlier draft resolution of the Russian Government proposing a list of official public holidays and bridge holidays in Russia for the upcoming calendar year 2027.
Sindh Declares July 29 Public Holiday Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad) The Services, General Administration, and Coordination Department of the Government of Pakistan's Province of Sindh has declared a provincial public holiday on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, to mark the annual Urs of the renowned Sufi poet Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The Government of Sindh declares 14th Safar 1448 AH/29th July, 2026 (Wednesday) as a public holiday throughout the province of Sindh on the occasion of the Urs of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai for all government offices, autonomous bodies, semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, local councils under the administrative control of the Government of Sindh".
Sindh Declares July 29 Public Holiday Associated Press Of Pakistan (Islamabad) The Services, General Administration, and Coordination Department of the Government of Pakistan's Province of Sindh has declared a provincial public holiday on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, to mark the annual Urs of the renowned Sufi poet Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The Government of Sindh declares 14th Safar 1448 AH/29th July, 2026 (Wednesday) as a public holiday throughout the province of Sindh on the occasion of the Urs of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai for all government offices, autonomous bodies, semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, local councils under the administrative control of the Government of Sindh".
For an extended version of the worldwide public holidays news and updates, above, covering the past 30 days, and complemented by contextual and historical background information extracted from our database of tens of thousands of news items collated over the past 25 years, you can download our free apps for Android and iPhone, which are devoid of any ads, and whose data feed is updated nightly.
