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.
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.".
Angola Rules-Out April 20-21 GPL Public Holiday Jornal de Angola (Luanda) The Minister of State for Social Affairs of Angola's Province of Lunda, Maria do Rosário Bragança, has denied rumours that there would be public holidays on Monday and Tuesday, April 20 and 21, 2026, in the Governo Provincial de Luanda on account of the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Angola. As per Minister Bragança, the public holiday only applies to the province of Lunda Sul, on Monday, April 20th, adding that the Pope activities in the Province of Lunda are scheduled for April 18 and 19 only.
Angola Rules-Out April 20-21 GPL Public Holiday Jornal de Angola (Luanda) The Minister of State for Social Affairs of Angola's Province of Lunda, Maria do Rosário Bragança, has denied rumours that there would be public holidays on Monday and Tuesday, April 20 and 21, 2026, in the Governo Provincial de Luanda on account of the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Angola. As per Minister Bragança, the public holiday only applies to the province of Lunda Sul, on Monday, April 20th, adding that the Pope activities in the Province of Lunda are scheduled for April 18 and 19 only.
Curacao Considers Amendng The July 2nd Public Holiday Eilandgebied Curaçao (Willemstad) Curaçao's Parliament will convene next Thursday to discuss the name of the July 2 annual public holiday, currently named Dia di Himno y Bandera (Day of the Anthem and the Flag). As per the proposed amendment, to be presented by Curaçao's Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Sithree Cey van Heydoorn, the July 2nd public holiday would be renamed Dia di Kòrsou (Curaçao Day).
Curacao Considers Amendng The July 2nd Public Holiday Eilandgebied Curaçao (Willemstad) Curaçao's Parliament will convene next Thursday to discuss the name of the July 2 annual public holiday, currently named Dia di Himno y Bandera (Day of the Anthem and the Flag). As per the proposed amendment, to be presented by Curaçao's Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Sithree Cey van Heydoorn, the July 2nd public holiday would be renamed Dia di Kòrsou (Curaçao Day).
France's CGT Calls For New March 8 Public Holiday Le Figaro (Paris) The general secretary of France's CGT union, Sophie Binet, has called on March 8, International Women's Day, as a new annual public holiday. As per general secretary Binet, "We have an average of 11 public holidays compared to an average of 12 in the European Union. And so we want a new public holiday on March 8, International Women's Day, which should become like May 1, a paid day off".
France's CGT Calls For New March 8 Public Holiday Le Figaro (Paris) The general secretary of France's CGT union, Sophie Binet, has called on March 8, International Women's Day, as a new annual public holiday. As per general secretary Binet, "We have an average of 11 public holidays compared to an average of 12 in the European Union. And so we want a new public holiday on March 8, International Women's Day, which should become like May 1, a paid day off".
Hungary Approves Another December 24 Public Holiday Referendum Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) At its online meeting, earlier today, the Hungarian National Election Committee (Nemzeti Választási Bizottság, NVB) approved yet another referendum proposal submitted this time by the Commercial Employees Union 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 December 24th should be a public holiday?".
Hungary Approves Another December 24 Public Holiday Referendum Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) At its online meeting, earlier today, the Hungarian National Election Committee (Nemzeti Választási Bizottság, NVB) approved yet another referendum proposal submitted this time by the Commercial Employees Union 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 December 24th should be a public holiday?".
Samoa Declares May 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 Mothers Day 2026. 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 1 1th May 2026 will be observed as a Public Holiday to celebrate Mother’s Day 2026.".
Samoa Declares May 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 Mothers Day 2026. 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 1 1th May 2026 will be observed as a Public Holiday to celebrate Mother’s Day 2026.".
Zimbabwe Rules-Out April 20 Additional Independence Day Public Holiday The Herald (Harare) The Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage of the government of Zimbabwe, Raphael Faranisi, has clarified that Monday, April 20, 2026, will be a normal working day, despite Independence Day falling on the weekend. As per the aforementioned statement, Section 1(i) of the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act provides that only when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a public holiday, although Minister Faranisi did also point out that the same Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act empowers the President, through a statutory instrument, to declare any day a public holiday.
Zimbabwe Rules-Out April 20 Additional Independence Day Public Holiday The Herald (Harare) The Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage of the government of Zimbabwe, Raphael Faranisi, has clarified that Monday, April 20, 2026, will be a normal working day, despite Independence Day falling on the weekend. As per the aforementioned statement, Section 1(i) of the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act provides that only when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a public holiday, although Minister Faranisi did also point out that the same Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act empowers the President, through a statutory instrument, to declare any day a public holiday.
Bangladesh Restores November 7 Public Holiday Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) Bangladesh's Government has announced that it had decided to restore the observance of November 7 as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day public holiday. As per the announcement made by Cabinet Secretary, Nasimul Gani, "It has been decided that 7 November will be declared as National Revolution and Solidarity Day as it was before. It will be a public holiday, as it used to be", adding that November 7 would henceforth be observed as a Category Ka day, which had not been the case for the past 16 years. Cabinet Secretary Gani also announced that 6 July has been declared as National Rural Development Day, but that it would be classified as a Category B observance, not a public holiday.
Bangladesh Restores November 7 Public Holiday Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) Bangladesh's Government has announced that it had decided to restore the observance of November 7 as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day public holiday. As per the announcement made by Cabinet Secretary, Nasimul Gani, "It has been decided that 7 November will be declared as National Revolution and Solidarity Day as it was before. It will be a public holiday, as it used to be", adding that November 7 would henceforth be observed as a Category Ka day, which had not been the case for the past 16 years. Cabinet Secretary Gani also announced that 6 July has been declared as National Rural Development Day, but that it would be classified as a Category B observance, not a public holiday.
Costa Rican Inaugural Public Holiday May 8 Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de Costa Rica (San José) Costa Rica's Office of the President of the Republic has announced that President Rodrigo Chaves had signed the Executive Decree No.45.680-MGP (Supplement No. 38 to Gazette No. 69) declaring Friday, May 8, 2026, as a public sector holiday on account of the inauguration of Costa Rica's 50th president, Laura Fernández Delgado. The Friday, May 8, 2026, public sector holiday applies exclusively to the public sector but the Government has advised private organizations to assess potential operational impacts, especially in terms of mobility, logistics and service provision, resulting from government activity.
Costa Rican Inaugural Public Holiday May 8 Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de Costa Rica (San José) Costa Rica's Office of the President of the Republic has announced that President Rodrigo Chaves had signed the Executive Decree No.45.680-MGP (Supplement No. 38 to Gazette No. 69) declaring Friday, May 8, 2026, as a public sector holiday on account of the inauguration of Costa Rica's 50th president, Laura Fernández Delgado. The Friday, May 8, 2026, public sector holiday applies exclusively to the public sector but the Government has advised private organizations to assess potential operational impacts, especially in terms of mobility, logistics and service provision, resulting from government activity.
Guernsey Rules-Out May 11 Public Holiday States of Guernsey (St. Peter Port) The States of Guernsey (the Guernsey Government) has announced that there would be no additional public holiday day in Guernsey on May 11, 2026, for this year's Liberation Day celebrations, due to this year's Liberation Day falling on a Saturday. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The Committee for Economic Development has followed what has been done in previous years and left the public holiday on the Saturday".
Guernsey Rules-Out May 11 Public Holiday States of Guernsey (St. Peter Port) The States of Guernsey (the Guernsey Government) has announced that there would be no additional public holiday day in Guernsey on May 11, 2026, for this year's Liberation Day celebrations, due to this year's Liberation Day falling on a Saturday. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The Committee for Economic Development has followed what has been done in previous years and left the public holiday on the Saturday".
Slovakian Confusion Over Canceled May 8 Public Holiday Ministerstvo zahranicných vecí Slovenskej republiky (Bratislava) Slovakia's Labour Ministry has confirmed that May 8 is now a "normal working day", despite the fact that the Labour Code still treats it as a holiday for the purposes of paid salaries, meaning that, despite May 8 being a working day, employers must pay a 100-percent premium for work done on that day. In that context, some organizations are still treating May 8, 2026, as a public holiday. Slovenská Sporiteľňa, the country’s largest bank, will remain closed on May 8, and Bratislava City Hall has announced that it would grant all employees special paid leave on May 8, unless parliament removes the 100 percent surcharge.
Slovakian Confusion Over Canceled May 8 Public Holiday Ministerstvo zahranicných vecí Slovenskej republiky (Bratislava) Slovakia's Labour Ministry has confirmed that May 8 is now a "normal working day", despite the fact that the Labour Code still treats it as a holiday for the purposes of paid salaries, meaning that, despite May 8 being a working day, employers must pay a 100-percent premium for work done on that day. In that context, some organizations are still treating May 8, 2026, as a public holiday. Slovenská Sporiteľňa, the country’s largest bank, will remain closed on May 8, and Bratislava City Hall has announced that it would grant all employees special paid leave on May 8, unless parliament removes the 100 percent surcharge.
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.
