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.
Bosnian Public Holidays May 1 and 2 Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina News (Sarajevo) The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) has announced that, in accordance with the Law on Holidays, which is implemented as a federal law, Labour Day will be observed in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday and Saturday, May 1 and May 2, 2026. In its statement, the Ministry points out that it does not determine or prescribe non-working public holidays, but rather implements the law and informs the public about the application of legal solutions that clearly determine when non-working days are based on holidays.
Bosnian Public Holidays May 1 and 2 Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina News (Sarajevo) The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) has announced that, in accordance with the Law on Holidays, which is implemented as a federal law, Labour Day will be observed in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday and Saturday, May 1 and May 2, 2026. In its statement, the Ministry points out that it does not determine or prescribe non-working public holidays, but rather implements the law and informs the public about the application of legal solutions that clearly determine when non-working days are based on holidays.
Uruguay Maintains Date Of Labour Day Public Holiday Presidencia de la República (República Oriental del Uruguay) Uruguay's Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) has announced that the upcoming Labor Day , which this year falls on Friday, May 1, 2026, will be observed on the same date, as per the current legislation regulating public holidays in Uruguay.
Uruguay Maintains Date Of Labour Day Public Holiday Presidencia de la República (República Oriental del Uruguay) Uruguay's Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) has announced that the upcoming Labor Day , which this year falls on Friday, May 1, 2026, will be observed on the same date, as per the current legislation regulating public holidays in Uruguay.
Vietnam Culture Day Public Holiday Approved Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Hanoi) Earlier today, with 477 of the 489 delegates present voting in favor, the Vietnamese National Assembly approved the draft resolution, implementing the Politburo Resolution No.80-NQ/TW unanimously choosing November 24th of each year as Vietnamese Culture Day and a new annual public holiday. The Resolution takes effect from July 1st, 2026. The aforementioned draft resolution had passed its first reading in the Vietnamese National Assembly, at the end of last month.
Vietnam Culture Day Public Holiday Approved Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Hanoi) Earlier today, with 477 of the 489 delegates present voting in favor, the Vietnamese National Assembly approved the draft resolution, implementing the Politburo Resolution No.80-NQ/TW unanimously choosing November 24th of each year as Vietnamese Culture Day and a new annual public holiday. The Resolution takes effect from July 1st, 2026. The aforementioned draft resolution had passed its first reading in the Vietnamese National Assembly, at the end of last month.
Dominican Republic Moves Labour Day Public Holiday Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo) The Ministry of Labour of the Dominican Republic has issued an official communiqué informing the business and labor community of the Dominican Republic that, as per the current legislation on public holidays, Labor Day, which is commemorated on May 1st, is a working day in 2026, and that the non-working public holiday is moved to Monday, May 4, 2026.
Dominican Republic Moves Labour Day Public Holiday Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo) The Ministry of Labour of the Dominican Republic has issued an official communiqué informing the business and labor community of the Dominican Republic that, as per the current legislation on public holidays, Labor Day, which is commemorated on May 1st, is a working day in 2026, and that the non-working public holiday is moved to Monday, May 4, 2026.
Honduras Maintains Date Of International Workers' Day Public Holiday El Heraldo (Tegucigalpa) The Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (Cohep), has announced the granting of a public holiday for Honduras' private sector on Friday, May 1st, 2026, on account of the upcoming International Workers' Day. As per the aforementioned announcement, made in accordance with article 339 of the current Labor Code, "the national holiday of May 1, 2026, must be observed on the same day, without the possibility of transfer", adding that according to Legislative Decree No. 50-2003, some holidays are not moved, including May 1st.
Honduras Maintains Date Of International Workers' Day Public Holiday El Heraldo (Tegucigalpa) The Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (Cohep), has announced the granting of a public holiday for Honduras' private sector on Friday, May 1st, 2026, on account of the upcoming International Workers' Day. As per the aforementioned announcement, made in accordance with article 339 of the current Labor Code, "the national holiday of May 1, 2026, must be observed on the same day, without the possibility of transfer", adding that according to Legislative Decree No. 50-2003, some holidays are not moved, including May 1st.
Sierra Leone Declares April 27 Public Holiday State House Press Secretariat (Freetown) Sierra Leone's Office of the Press Secretary at State House in Freetown has announced that, in line with directives from President Julius Maada Bio, Monday, April 27, 2026, had been declared a public holiday across the country to celebrate its 65th Independence Anniversary.
Sierra Leone Declares April 27 Public Holiday State House Press Secretariat (Freetown) Sierra Leone's Office of the Press Secretary at State House in Freetown has announced that, in line with directives from President Julius Maada Bio, Monday, April 27, 2026, had been declared a public holiday across the country to celebrate its 65th Independence Anniversary.
Togo Declares April 27 Public Holiday Primature du Togo (Lome) Togo's Minister Secretary General of the Presidency of the Council, Ablamba Ahoéfavi Johnson, has signed a communique declaring Monday, April 27, 2026, as a public holiday in Togo. As per the aforementioned communique, "The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Dialogue announces that, in celebration of the 66th anniversary of our country's independence, Monday, April 27, 2026, the day of the festivities, is a public holiday, a day off with pay throughout the national territory.".
Togo Declares April 27 Public Holiday Primature du Togo (Lome) Togo's Minister Secretary General of the Presidency of the Council, Ablamba Ahoéfavi Johnson, has signed a communique declaring Monday, April 27, 2026, as a public holiday in Togo. As per the aforementioned communique, "The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Dialogue announces that, in celebration of the 66th anniversary of our country's independence, Monday, April 27, 2026, the day of the festivities, is a public holiday, a day off with pay throughout the national territory.".
Ecuador Considers November 18 Public Holiday Agencia de Noticias del Ecuador y Sudamérica (ANDES) Ecuador's Commission on the Right to Work and Social Security of the National Assembly a delegate of the Ministry of Labor, in order to know its institutional and legal opinion, regarding the proposed reforms to the Organic Law of Public Service and the Labor Code, which would declare November 18 a national holiday each year to commemorate the independence of the province of Loja.
Ecuador Considers November 18 Public Holiday Agencia de Noticias del Ecuador y Sudamérica (ANDES) Ecuador's Commission on the Right to Work and Social Security of the National Assembly a delegate of the Ministry of Labor, in order to know its institutional and legal opinion, regarding the proposed reforms to the Organic Law of Public Service and the Labor Code, which would declare November 18 a national holiday each year to commemorate the independence of the province of Loja.
Egypt Moves May Day Public Holiday Egypt State Information Service (Cairo) Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, has issued a decree declaring Thursday, May 7, 2026, as a public holiday for the upcoming Labor Day. As per the aforementioned decrees, the May 5-6 public holidays will apply to "all employees of ministries, public administrations, local authorities, as well as companies in the public and private sectors".
Egypt Moves May Day Public Holiday Egypt State Information Service (Cairo) Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, has issued a decree declaring Thursday, May 7, 2026, as a public holiday for the upcoming Labor Day. As per the aforementioned decrees, the May 5-6 public holidays will apply to "all employees of ministries, public administrations, local authorities, as well as companies in the public and private sectors".
Macau 2027 Public Holidays Announced Portal do Governo da RAEM da República Popular da China (Macau) The government of the Macau SAR has announced its annual full list of official non-working annual public holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2027 (二零二七年度公眾假期、公共行政工作人員獲豁免上班及補假日的日期表), which, once again, also contains the list of one-off public holidays for public servants in Macau for 2027 by the Chief Executive (行政長官批示公共行政工作人員獲准豁免上班日期) as well as per the General Rules for Macao Public Administration Staff (按《澳門公共行政工作人員通則》第七十九條第四款規定所訂定的公共行政工作人員補假日).
Macau 2027 Public Holidays Announced Portal do Governo da RAEM da República Popular da China (Macau) The government of the Macau SAR has announced its annual full list of official non-working annual public holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2027 (二零二七年度公眾假期、公共行政工作人員獲豁免上班及補假日的日期表), which, once again, also contains the list of one-off public holidays for public servants in Macau for 2027 by the Chief Executive (行政長官批示公共行政工作人員獲准豁免上班日期) as well as per the General Rules for Macao Public Administration Staff (按《澳門公共行政工作人員通則》第七十九條第四款規定所訂定的公共行政工作人員補假日).
Nicaragua Announces May Day Public Holiday Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua (MITRAB) Nicaragua's Ministry of Labor (MITRAB) has announced that, in compliance with the country's labor laws and by instructions of the Presidency of the Republic, Friday, May 1, 2026, would be a mandatory national public holiday with full pay for all workers and employers in Nicaragua, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Law No. 290, Ley de Organización, Competencia y procedimientos del Poder Ejecutivo, and article 66 of the Law No. 185 (Código del Trabajo).
Nicaragua Announces May Day Public Holiday Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua (MITRAB) Nicaragua's Ministry of Labor (MITRAB) has announced that, in compliance with the country's labor laws and by instructions of the Presidency of the Republic, Friday, May 1, 2026, would be a mandatory national public holiday with full pay for all workers and employers in Nicaragua, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Law No. 290, Ley de Organización, Competencia y procedimientos del Poder Ejecutivo, and article 66 of the Law No. 185 (Código del Trabajo).
Sri Lanka Flip-Flops On Vesak Full Moon Poya Day Public Holiday The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Colombo) The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government of Sri Lanka has announced that the public holiday for the Day after the Vesak Full Moon Poya day had been moved from Saturday, May 2, to Sunday, May 31, 2026. As per the announcement, signed by Ministry Secretary S. Alokabandara, despite May 31 being a Sunday, the government declared it a public holiday nonetheless, following past precedents where a holiday is granted when the day after Vesak Poya falls on a Sunday.
Sri Lanka Flip-Flops On Vesak Full Moon Poya Day Public Holiday The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Colombo) The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government of Sri Lanka has announced that the public holiday for the Day after the Vesak Full Moon Poya day had been moved from Saturday, May 2, to Sunday, May 31, 2026. As per the announcement, signed by Ministry Secretary S. Alokabandara, despite May 31 being a Sunday, the government declared it a public holiday nonetheless, following past precedents where a holiday is granted when the day after Vesak Poya falls on a Sunday.
Cook Islands Clarify ANZAC Day Public Holiday Date Office of Prime Minister Organization (Avarua) The Office of the Prime Minister of the Government of the Cook Islands has confirmed that the upcoming ANZAC Day public holiday would be observed on Saturday, April 25, 2026, adding that "Unlike most public holidays, ANZAC Day is not moved to a Monday when it falls on a weekend. It is always observed on the 25th of April, even if this falls on a Saturday or Sunday, and no additional day off is provided.".
Cook Islands Clarify ANZAC Day Public Holiday Date Office of Prime Minister Organization (Avarua) The Office of the Prime Minister of the Government of the Cook Islands has confirmed that the upcoming ANZAC Day public holiday would be observed on Saturday, April 25, 2026, adding that "Unlike most public holidays, ANZAC Day is not moved to a Monday when it falls on a weekend. It is always observed on the 25th of April, even if this falls on a Saturday or Sunday, and no additional day off is provided.".
Kazakhstan Adds September 3 Holiday Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana) The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan has added September 3 as a new annual holiday to be celebrated as the Day of the Kazakh Tazy and Tobet, recognizing two of the country’s most treasured dog breeds.
Kazakhstan Adds September 3 Holiday Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana) The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan has added September 3 as a new annual holiday to be celebrated as the Day of the Kazakh Tazy and Tobet, recognizing two of the country’s most treasured dog breeds.
Sarawak Declares June 3-4 Public Holidays Bernama News Agency (Kuching) The Labour Department of the Malaysian State of Sarawak, has announced that under subsection 104(1) of the Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Cap. 76) workers in Sarawak were entitled to two replacement public holidays on June 3 and 4 following the overlap of several public holidays, including Wesak Day, the birthday of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and the Gawai Dayak celebrations at the end of May and early June. As per the aforementioned announcement, workers who entitled to public holidays for Wesak Day and the first and second days of Gawai are entitled to June 3 as a replacement holiday for Wesak Day if Sunday is their rest day. Additionally, June 4 will be a substitute public holiday for the first day of Gawai, which overlaps with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Birthday in 2026.
Sarawak Declares June 3-4 Public Holidays Bernama News Agency (Kuching) The Labour Department of the Malaysian State of Sarawak, has announced that under subsection 104(1) of the Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Cap. 76) workers in Sarawak were entitled to two replacement public holidays on June 3 and 4 following the overlap of several public holidays, including Wesak Day, the birthday of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and the Gawai Dayak celebrations at the end of May and early June. As per the aforementioned announcement, workers who entitled to public holidays for Wesak Day and the first and second days of Gawai are entitled to June 3 as a replacement holiday for Wesak Day if Sunday is their rest day. Additionally, June 4 will be a substitute public holiday for the first day of Gawai, which overlaps with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Birthday in 2026.
Vietnam Culture Day Public Holiday Vote On April 23 Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Hanoi) The Vietnamese National Assembly is expected to vote on, and pass on April 23, a draft resolution, implementing the Politburo Resolution No.80-NQ/TW unanimously choosing November 24th of each year as Vietnamese Culture Day and a new annual public holiday. The National Assembly's Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Social Affairs, Nguyen Dac Vinh, stated that the Committee agrees with the Government's proposal regarding Vietnam Culture Day, and that as per a stated roadmap, the National Assembly would also supplement a number of articles of the Labor Code at its second session in October using a simplified procedure. The aforementioned draft resolution had passed its first reading in the Vietnamese National Assembly, at the end of last month.
Vietnam Culture Day Public Holiday Vote On April 23 Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Hanoi) The Vietnamese National Assembly is expected to vote on, and pass on April 23, a draft resolution, implementing the Politburo Resolution No.80-NQ/TW unanimously choosing November 24th of each year as Vietnamese Culture Day and a new annual public holiday. The National Assembly's Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Social Affairs, Nguyen Dac Vinh, stated that the Committee agrees with the Government's proposal regarding Vietnam Culture Day, and that as per a stated roadmap, the National Assembly would also supplement a number of articles of the Labor Code at its second session in October using a simplified procedure. The aforementioned draft resolution had passed its first reading in the Vietnamese National Assembly, at the end of last month.
Egypt Declares April 25 Public Holiday Egypt State Information Service (Cairo) Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, has issued a decree declaring Saturday, April 25, 2026, as a public holiday to mark Sinai Liberation Day. As per the aforementioned decree, these public holidays apply to "workers in ministries, government agencies, public authorities, local administration units, public-sector companies, and state-owned business sector firms".
Egypt Declares April 25 Public Holiday Egypt State Information Service (Cairo) Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, has issued a decree declaring Saturday, April 25, 2026, as a public holiday to mark Sinai Liberation Day. As per the aforementioned decree, these public holidays apply to "workers in ministries, government agencies, public authorities, local administration units, public-sector companies, and state-owned business sector firms".
Sarawak Rules-Out Malaysia Cup Public Holiday Bernama News Agency (Kuching) The Premier of Malaysia's State of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, has ruled-out the declaration of a one-off public holiday following Kuching City FC’s Malaysia Cup triumph over Selangor. As per the aforementioned announcement, such a move was not practical as it would affect working arrangements with employers having to pay double wages on public holidays.
Sarawak Rules-Out Malaysia Cup Public Holiday Bernama News Agency (Kuching) The Premier of Malaysia's State of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, has ruled-out the declaration of a one-off public holiday following Kuching City FC’s Malaysia Cup triumph over Selangor. As per the aforementioned announcement, such a move was not practical as it would affect working arrangements with employers having to pay double wages on public holidays.
France Rejects New March 8 Public Holiday Le Figaro (Paris) France's Minister of Labor, Jean-Pierre Farandou, has dismissed the recent proposal by the CGT Union of declaring a new public holiday on March 8 to mark International Women's Day. In his weekend interview, the Minister said that above all he wanted more French people to work "I am thinking of young people and the most experienced employees – to allow France to produce more, to remain sovereign and also to finance its social model".
France Rejects New March 8 Public Holiday Le Figaro (Paris) France's Minister of Labor, Jean-Pierre Farandou, has dismissed the recent proposal by the CGT Union of declaring a new public holiday on March 8 to mark International Women's Day. In his weekend interview, the Minister said that above all he wanted more French people to work "I am thinking of young people and the most experienced employees – to allow France to produce more, to remain sovereign and also to finance its social model".
Goa Declares April 21 Closure Of Commercial Establishments For Shree Devi Lairai Jatra Government of Goa (Panaji) The Bicholim Office of the Deputy Collector and Sub Divisional Magistrate of the Government of the Indian State of Goa has issued the vide notification No.DCB/BICH/DEVI/ Lairai-Shirgao/Jatra/1321 declaring a closure of commercial establishments during the upcoming Shree Devi Lairai Jatra, in Shirgao. As per the aforementioned announcement, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, "All stalls, shops, hotels and similar temporary or permanent commercial structures operating within all zones of the Event Management Plan for Shri Devi Lairai Jatra, Shirgao, shall remain strictly closed and non-operational from 6:00 p.m. on 21-04-2026 till 8:00 a.m. on 22-04-2026.".
Goa Declares April 21 Closure Of Commercial Establishments For Shree Devi Lairai Jatra Government of Goa (Panaji) The Bicholim Office of the Deputy Collector and Sub Divisional Magistrate of the Government of the Indian State of Goa has issued the vide notification No.DCB/BICH/DEVI/ Lairai-Shirgao/Jatra/1321 declaring a closure of commercial establishments during the upcoming Shree Devi Lairai Jatra, in Shirgao. As per the aforementioned announcement, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, "All stalls, shops, hotels and similar temporary or permanent commercial structures operating within all zones of the Event Management Plan for Shri Devi Lairai Jatra, Shirgao, shall remain strictly closed and non-operational from 6:00 p.m. on 21-04-2026 till 8:00 a.m. on 22-04-2026.".
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.
