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.
Palau Youth Day Public Holiday March 15 Palau Government (Koror) The government of Palau has announced that Sunday, March 15, 2026, would be a non-working public holiday in Palau on account of the upcoming annual Youth Day holiday.
Palau Youth Day Public Holiday March 15 Palau Government (Koror) The government of Palau has announced that Sunday, March 15, 2026, would be a non-working public holiday in Palau on account of the upcoming annual Youth Day holiday.
Queensland Could Add Olympic Public Holiday From 2027 Onward Department of Justice and Attorney-General (State of Queensland) The Green Party of Australia's State of Queensland has announced a proposal to add an annual public holiday from 2027 until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The aforementioned Games Day public holiday would be observed on the second-to-last Friday of July, each year, beginning in 2027.
Queensland Could Add Olympic Public Holiday From 2027 Onward Department of Justice and Attorney-General (State of Queensland) The Green Party of Australia's State of Queensland has announced a proposal to add an annual public holiday from 2027 until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The aforementioned Games Day public holiday would be observed on the second-to-last Friday of July, each year, beginning in 2027.
Uttar Pradesh Extends Holi Public Holidays Government of Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) The Chief Minister of the Government of India's state of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, has declared a three-day Holi holiday from March 2 to March 4, 2026, for state employees. As compensation, the government has declared Saturday, February 28, 2026, as a working day. In addition, the state government also declared March 3 a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, on account of Holi.
Uttar Pradesh Extends Holi Public Holidays Government of Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) The Chief Minister of the Government of India's state of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, has declared a three-day Holi holiday from March 2 to March 4, 2026, for state employees. As compensation, the government has declared Saturday, February 28, 2026, as a working day. In addition, the state government also declared March 3 a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, on account of Holi.
Asturias 2027 Public Holidays Gazetted Boletín Oficial del Principado de Asturias (BOPA) The Principado de Asturias autonomous region of Spain has gazetted the 2027 list of regional public holidays in the Asturias, in the Decreto 7/2026, de 16 de febrero, del Principado de Asturias, por el que se sustituye para el año 2027 una de las fiestas de ámbito nacional por el día 8 de septiembre, Día de Asturias (BOPA de 26 de febrero de 2026). As per the aforementioned decree, "For the year 2027, the national holiday that would result from exercising, if applicable, the option between March 19, Saint Joseph, and July 25, Saint James the Apostle, is replaced by September 8, Asturias Day, with the character of being paid and non-recoverable.".
Asturias 2027 Public Holidays Gazetted Boletín Oficial del Principado de Asturias (BOPA) The Principado de Asturias autonomous region of Spain has gazetted the 2027 list of regional public holidays in the Asturias, in the Decreto 7/2026, de 16 de febrero, del Principado de Asturias, por el que se sustituye para el año 2027 una de las fiestas de ámbito nacional por el día 8 de septiembre, Día de Asturias (BOPA de 26 de febrero de 2026). As per the aforementioned decree, "For the year 2027, the national holiday that would result from exercising, if applicable, the option between March 19, Saint Joseph, and July 25, Saint James the Apostle, is replaced by September 8, Asturias Day, with the character of being paid and non-recoverable.".
Goa Declares March 8 Electoral Public Holiday Government of Goa (Panaji) The government of the Indian State of Goa has declared Sunday, March 8, 2026, as a paid public holiday, on account of the upcoming state-wide by-elections, for the workers of all establishment including commercial and industrial undertakings in the state of Goa, daily wage/casual workers employed in any business, trade, industrial undertakings, Government departments, State Government Industrial Department or any other establishments. As per the aforementioned announcement, the paid public holiday applies to Ward No. I of Village Panchayat Chandel- Hasapur, Ward No. IV of Village Panchayat Mandrem, Ward No. VII of Village Panchayat Piligao, Ward No. III of Village Panchayat Latambarcem, Ward No. I of Village Panchayat Pilerne Marna, Ward No, VI of Village Panchayat Sirsaim, Ward No. II of Village Panchayat Salvador Do Mundo, Ward No. I of Village Panchayat Candolim, Ward No. VI of Village Panchayat Aquem Baixo, Ward No. I of Village Panchayat Borim, Ward No. III of Village Panchayat Veling- Priol-Cuncoliem, Ward No. III of Village Panchayat Bhoma Adcolna, Ward No. VIII of Village Panchayat Balli Adnem, and Ward No. VIII of Village Panchayat Loliem Polem.
Goa Declares March 8 Electoral Public Holiday Government of Goa (Panaji) The government of the Indian State of Goa has declared Sunday, March 8, 2026, as a paid public holiday, on account of the upcoming state-wide by-elections, for the workers of all establishment including commercial and industrial undertakings in the state of Goa, daily wage/casual workers employed in any business, trade, industrial undertakings, Government departments, State Government Industrial Department or any other establishments. As per the aforementioned announcement, the paid public holiday applies to Ward No. I of Village Panchayat Chandel- Hasapur, Ward No. IV of Village Panchayat Mandrem, Ward No. VII of Village Panchayat Piligao, Ward No. III of Village Panchayat Latambarcem, Ward No. I of Village Panchayat Pilerne Marna, Ward No, VI of Village Panchayat Sirsaim, Ward No. II of Village Panchayat Salvador Do Mundo, Ward No. I of Village Panchayat Candolim, Ward No. VI of Village Panchayat Aquem Baixo, Ward No. I of Village Panchayat Borim, Ward No. III of Village Panchayat Veling- Priol-Cuncoliem, Ward No. III of Village Panchayat Bhoma Adcolna, Ward No. VIII of Village Panchayat Balli Adnem, and Ward No. VIII of Village Panchayat Loliem Polem.
Maldives Ramadan Public Holidays To Begin On March 9 Maldives President's Office Press Release (Male) The President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, has announced that the last ten days of Ramadan will be public sector holidays. As per the aforementioned announcement, "government offices will observe their annual closure during the last third of Ramadan, beginning on 9 March this year".
Maldives Ramadan Public Holidays To Begin On March 9 Maldives President's Office Press Release (Male) The President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, has announced that the last ten days of Ramadan will be public sector holidays. As per the aforementioned announcement, "government offices will observe their annual closure during the last third of Ramadan, beginning on 9 March this year".
Nauru Declares March 2nd Public Holiday The Government of the Republic of Nauru (Yaren) Nauru's President and Minister for Public Sevice, David W.R. Adeang, has issued and signed the gazette posting No.75 (G.N.No.226/2026) declaring Monday, March 2, 2026 as a special public holiday following the death of former President Ludwig Derangadage Scotty. As per the aforementioned gazette notification, "Pursuant to the powers in that behalf vested in me under Section 81 (3) of the Public Service Act 2016.1, HON. DAVID VV.R. ADEANG, M.P, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAURU, DO HEREBY, declare Monday 2nd March 2026, from 7:00am to 5:00pm as a special public holiday to be observed by the officers and employees of the Public Service and its instrumentalities in honour of His Excellency Ludwig Derangadage Scotty, former President of the Republic Nauru, who passed away on 25th February 2026.".
Nauru Declares March 2nd Public Holiday The Government of the Republic of Nauru (Yaren) Nauru's President and Minister for Public Sevice, David W.R. Adeang, has issued and signed the gazette posting No.75 (G.N.No.226/2026) declaring Monday, March 2, 2026 as a special public holiday following the death of former President Ludwig Derangadage Scotty. As per the aforementioned gazette notification, "Pursuant to the powers in that behalf vested in me under Section 81 (3) of the Public Service Act 2016.1, HON. DAVID VV.R. ADEANG, M.P, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAURU, DO HEREBY, declare Monday 2nd March 2026, from 7:00am to 5:00pm as a special public holiday to be observed by the officers and employees of the Public Service and its instrumentalities in honour of His Excellency Ludwig Derangadage Scotty, former President of the Republic Nauru, who passed away on 25th February 2026.".
Uttar Pradesh Call To Extend Upcoming Holi Public Holidays Government of Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) The Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank Officers’ Association (UPGBOA) has called on the authorities of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to declare Monday, March 3, 2026, as a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, due to Tuesday, March 4, 2026, already being a public holiday on account of Holi.
Uttar Pradesh Call To Extend Upcoming Holi Public Holidays Government of Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) The Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank Officers’ Association (UPGBOA) has called on the authorities of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to declare Monday, March 3, 2026, as a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, due to Tuesday, March 4, 2026, already being a public holiday on account of Holi.
Nepal Finalizes 2026-2027 Government Holidays and Public Holidays Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) The Nepalese Minister of Home Affairs, Om Prakash Aryal, has announced that, at yesterday's cabinet meeting, the government had finalized the list of official non-working public holidays in Nepal for the Nepalese year B.S. 2083 (वि.सं. २०८३ सालको बैंक बिदाको सूची), which runs from mid-April 2026 until mid-April 2027, and that "details regarding the holidays will be published in the Nepal Gazette".
Nepal Finalizes 2026-2027 Government Holidays and Public Holidays Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) The Nepalese Minister of Home Affairs, Om Prakash Aryal, has announced that, at yesterday's cabinet meeting, the government had finalized the list of official non-working public holidays in Nepal for the Nepalese year B.S. 2083 (वि.सं. २०८३ सालको बैंक बिदाको सूची), which runs from mid-April 2026 until mid-April 2027, and that "details regarding the holidays will be published in the Nepal Gazette".
Qatar Declares March 1st Bank Holiday Qatar Central Bank (QCB) Qatar's Central Bank (QCB) has declared a bank holiday for Sunday, March 1st, 2026, for all financial institutions in the country, in accordance with Clause (4) of Article (4) of Amiri Decree No. 57 of 2025 regarding the determination of working days, occasions and official holidays in the State. As per the official announcement, "All financial institutions across Qatar will resume normal operations on Monday, 2 March 2026".
Qatar Declares March 1st Bank Holiday Qatar Central Bank (QCB) Qatar's Central Bank (QCB) has declared a bank holiday for Sunday, March 1st, 2026, for all financial institutions in the country, in accordance with Clause (4) of Article (4) of Amiri Decree No. 57 of 2025 regarding the determination of working days, occasions and official holidays in the State. As per the official announcement, "All financial institutions across Qatar will resume normal operations on Monday, 2 March 2026".
Dominican Republic Sets Date Of Independence Day Public Holiday Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo) The Ministry of Labour of the Dominican Republic has issued an official communiqué confirming that, as per the current legislation on public holidays in the Dominican Republic, the upcoming Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) annual non-working public holiday would be observed, on its traditional date, namely Friday, February 27, 2026, and that "the working class must return to their daily work on Monday, March 2nd, 2026, as established by Law 139-97, taking into account the application of public holidays".
Dominican Republic Sets Date Of Independence Day Public Holiday Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo) The Ministry of Labour of the Dominican Republic has issued an official communiqué confirming that, as per the current legislation on public holidays in the Dominican Republic, the upcoming Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) annual non-working public holiday would be observed, on its traditional date, namely Friday, February 27, 2026, and that "the working class must return to their daily work on Monday, March 2nd, 2026, as established by Law 139-97, taking into account the application of public holidays".
Nepal Declares March 4-5-6 Electoral Public Holidays Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) At today's Cabinet meeting, the Government of Nepal declared a three-day public holiday to run from Wednesday to Friday, March 4 to 6, 2026 (Falgun 20, 21 and 22), on account of the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election which will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, and to facilitate voters participating in the election.
Nepal Declares March 4-5-6 Electoral Public Holidays Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) At today's Cabinet meeting, the Government of Nepal declared a three-day public holiday to run from Wednesday to Friday, March 4 to 6, 2026 (Falgun 20, 21 and 22), on account of the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election which will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, and to facilitate voters participating in the election.
Philippines President To Consider Annual EDSA Public Holiday Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (Manila) Philippines Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer, Claire Castro, has issued a communique stating that President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. will review the current proposal to declare February 25 each year as a regular holiday in commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution, once the proposal is formally submitted to the President ("Ibigay lang po nila ‘yung versions nila kay Pangulo para po maaral. Kung maisusumite po nila ito, ‘yan naman po ay aaksyunan ng ating Pangulo").
Philippines President To Consider Annual EDSA Public Holiday Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (Manila) Philippines Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer, Claire Castro, has issued a communique stating that President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. will review the current proposal to declare February 25 each year as a regular holiday in commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution, once the proposal is formally submitted to the President ("Ibigay lang po nila ‘yung versions nila kay Pangulo para po maaral. Kung maisusumite po nila ito, ‘yan naman po ay aaksyunan ng ating Pangulo").
South Africa Could Declare An Electoral Public Holiday In 2026 South African Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) The next local government elections of South Africa must take place between November 2, 2026, and February 1st, 2027, within 90 days of municipal councils completing their five-year term on 1 November 2026. Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act gives the President the authority to proclaim any specific day a national holiday, and traditionally the dates of most past elections have been declared as one-off non-working public holidays.
South Africa Could Declare An Electoral Public Holiday In 2026 South African Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) The next local government elections of South Africa must take place between November 2, 2026, and February 1st, 2027, within 90 days of municipal councils completing their five-year term on 1 November 2026. Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act gives the President the authority to proclaim any specific day a national holiday, and traditionally the dates of most past elections have been declared as one-off non-working public holidays.
Philippines EDSA Public Holiday Bill Tabled Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (Manila) The representative for the Philippines Akbayan party, Chel Diokno, has filed the House Bill 7911 declaring February 25 of every year a regular national public holiday to commemorate 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
Philippines EDSA Public Holiday Bill Tabled Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (Manila) The representative for the Philippines Akbayan party, Chel Diokno, has filed the House Bill 7911 declaring February 25 of every year a regular national public holiday to commemorate 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
UAE Announces Date Of Eid Al Fitr Public Holidays Emirates News Agency (WAM) The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), for private sector employees, and the Federal Authority For Government Human Resources (for the public sector), have jointly announced the dates for the upcoming Eid Al Fitr (End of Ramadan) public holidays. As per the aforementioned joint announcement, employees in federal government entities will observe the Eid Al Fitr holiday from Thursday, March 19, through Sunday, March 22, 2026, and private sector employees will be on public holidays from Thursday, March 19, through Saturday, March 21, 2026. However, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation did point out that if the current month of Ramadan lasts 30 days, then the private sector public holidays will also last until Sunday, March 22, 2026.
UAE Announces Date Of Eid Al Fitr Public Holidays Emirates News Agency (WAM) The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), for private sector employees, and the Federal Authority For Government Human Resources (for the public sector), have jointly announced the dates for the upcoming Eid Al Fitr (End of Ramadan) public holidays. As per the aforementioned joint announcement, employees in federal government entities will observe the Eid Al Fitr holiday from Thursday, March 19, through Sunday, March 22, 2026, and private sector employees will be on public holidays from Thursday, March 19, through Saturday, March 21, 2026. However, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation did point out that if the current month of Ramadan lasts 30 days, then the private sector public holidays will also last until Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Nepal Considering March 4-5-6 Electoral Public Holidays Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) The Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of Nepal's Election Commission (EC), Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, has announced that the Election Commission had recommended that the government declare 3 days of public holiday on account of the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election which will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026. These 3 public holidays would run from Wednesday to Friday, March 4 to 6, 2026. As per Secretary and Spokesperson Bhattarai, when combined with the already declared public holidays for Holi on March 2 (hilly and mountainous regions) and March 3 (Tarai/Madhes), giving a public holiday on March 4, a day before voting, would help people from different professions and staying in distant places reach the polling stations conveniently.
Nepal Considering March 4-5-6 Electoral Public Holidays Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) The Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of Nepal's Election Commission (EC), Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, has announced that the Election Commission had recommended that the government declare 3 days of public holiday on account of the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election which will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026. These 3 public holidays would run from Wednesday to Friday, March 4 to 6, 2026. As per Secretary and Spokesperson Bhattarai, when combined with the already declared public holidays for Holi on March 2 (hilly and mountainous regions) and March 3 (Tarai/Madhes), giving a public holiday on March 4, a day before voting, would help people from different professions and staying in distant places reach the polling stations conveniently.
Philippines Bill To Restore EDSA As A Public Holiday Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (Manila) Earlier today, the representative for the Philippines Akbayan party, Perci Cendaña, announced that the Akbayan party would introduce a bill declaring February 25 an annual non-working public holiday to commemorate the EDSA People Power Revolution. As per the aforementioned statement, "It is very important that we remember and commemorate February 25 as a day of our fight for democracy" adding pointedly that "It cannot depend on political weather whether we commemorate it or not".
Philippines Bill To Restore EDSA As A Public Holiday Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (Manila) Earlier today, the representative for the Philippines Akbayan party, Perci Cendaña, announced that the Akbayan party would introduce a bill declaring February 25 an annual non-working public holiday to commemorate the EDSA People Power Revolution. As per the aforementioned statement, "It is very important that we remember and commemorate February 25 as a day of our fight for democracy" adding pointedly that "It cannot depend on political weather whether we commemorate it or not".
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.
