worldwide public holidays news and updates of the past fourteen days
The qppstudio worldwide public holidays database and the
worldwide public holidays listings on the qppstudio.net website are constantly updated
to reflect changes to public holidays legislation, or ad hoc public holidays changes, anywhere in the world.
The worldwide public holidays news and updates, below, can be accessed via our Android
or iPhone apps which are 100% ad-free and whose data feed is updated nightly.
Western Australia Could Change Date Of WA Day Public Holiday Western Australia Department of Labour Relations and Commerce (Perth) The Prime Minister of the State of Western Australia, Roger Cook, has indicated that he was open to the idea of moving the Western Australia Day public holiday closer to summer. Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Cook stated that "I think it makes sense to explore how we might better align the date of the WA Day public holiday, particularly to coincide with our warmer months around summer", adding that "I am open to reviewing the date of the public holiday in the future, as part of broader reforms that look at maximising any economic benefits". Originally called Foundation Day until 2011, WA Day is observed on the first Monday of winter, and for the past few years, that date has seen heavy rains.
Western Australia Could Change Date Of WA Day Public Holiday Western Australia Department of Labour Relations and Commerce (Perth) The Prime Minister of the State of Western Australia, Roger Cook, has indicated that he was open to the idea of moving the Western Australia Day public holiday closer to summer. Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Cook stated that "I think it makes sense to explore how we might better align the date of the WA Day public holiday, particularly to coincide with our warmer months around summer", adding that "I am open to reviewing the date of the public holiday in the future, as part of broader reforms that look at maximising any economic benefits". Originally called Foundation Day until 2011, WA Day is observed on the first Monday of winter, and for the past few years, that date has seen heavy rains.
Chandigarh Moves Guru Tegh Bahadur Public Holiday To December 6 Government of Chandigarh (Chandigarh) The Government of India's Union Territory of Chandigarh has announced that the date of the upcoming restricted public holiday for the Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur had been moved from November 24, to De3cember 6, 2024, for all Government Offices, Boards, Corporations, and Institutions, including Industrial Establishments. The aforementioned announcement thus amends the list of 2024 public holidays in India's Union Territory of Chandigarh as contained in last December's vide notification No.6/1/1-IH(I)-2023/17123.
Chandigarh Moves Guru Tegh Bahadur Public Holiday To December 6 Government of Chandigarh (Chandigarh) The Government of India's Union Territory of Chandigarh has announced that the date of the upcoming restricted public holiday for the Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur had been moved from November 24, to De3cember 6, 2024, for all Government Offices, Boards, Corporations, and Institutions, including Industrial Establishments. The aforementioned announcement thus amends the list of 2024 public holidays in India's Union Territory of Chandigarh as contained in last December's vide notification No.6/1/1-IH(I)-2023/17123.
Nunavut Announces 2025 Public Holidays The Government of Nunavut (Iqaluit) The Government of Canada's territory of Nunavut has released the list of 2025 public holidays in Nunavut, including the Nunavut Day public holiday, added in 2020, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation public holiday added in 2022.
Nunavut Announces 2025 Public Holidays The Government of Nunavut (Iqaluit) The Government of Canada's territory of Nunavut has released the list of 2025 public holidays in Nunavut, including the Nunavut Day public holiday, added in 2020, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation public holiday added in 2022.
Tamil Nadu 2025 Public Holidays Released Government of Tamil Nadu (Chennai) The Government of India's state of Tamil Nadu has released the vide Notification G.O.Ms.No. 792 containing its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Tamil Nadu for the upcoming calendar year 2025. The aforementioned notification's preamble reads "Under the Explanation to section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (Central Act XXVI of 1881) read with Notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, No. 20-25-26, Public-1, dated the 8th June 1957, the Government of Tamil Nadu hereby declares that, in addition to Sundays expressly defined as Public Holidays, in the said Explanation, the following days shall be Public Holidays for the year 2025.".
Tamil Nadu 2025 Public Holidays Released Government of Tamil Nadu (Chennai) The Government of India's state of Tamil Nadu has released the vide Notification G.O.Ms.No. 792 containing its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Tamil Nadu for the upcoming calendar year 2025. The aforementioned notification's preamble reads "Under the Explanation to section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (Central Act XXVI of 1881) read with Notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, No. 20-25-26, Public-1, dated the 8th June 1957, the Government of Tamil Nadu hereby declares that, in addition to Sundays expressly defined as Public Holidays, in the said Explanation, the following days shall be Public Holidays for the year 2025.".
UAE Eid Al Etihad Public Holiday For Private Sector Emirates News Agency (WAM) The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that Monday and Tuesday, December 2-3, 2024, would be paid public holidays for private sector employees in observance of the 53rd UAE National Day (labeled as Eid Al Etihad since 2024). The aforementioned announcement aligns with the UAE Cabinet Resolution regarding official public holidays for the public and private sectors for 2024, released last November, and follows last week's announcement by the UAE's Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) announcing that the upcoming National Day celebrations for public sector employees would occur on Monday and Tuesday, December 2-3, 2024. Since January 1, 2022, the UAE observes a Saturday-Sunday weekend "to better align its economy with global markets".
UAE Eid Al Etihad Public Holiday For Private Sector Emirates News Agency (WAM) The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that Monday and Tuesday, December 2-3, 2024, would be paid public holidays for private sector employees in observance of the 53rd UAE National Day (labeled as Eid Al Etihad since 2024). The aforementioned announcement aligns with the UAE Cabinet Resolution regarding official public holidays for the public and private sectors for 2024, released last November, and follows last week's announcement by the UAE's Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) announcing that the upcoming National Day celebrations for public sector employees would occur on Monday and Tuesday, December 2-3, 2024. Since January 1, 2022, the UAE observes a Saturday-Sunday weekend "to better align its economy with global markets".
West Bengal 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of West Bengal (Howrah) The government of India's state of West Bengal has announced its list of 2024 non-working public holidays, in the Department Notification No. 4712 -F(P2), dated Howrah, the 22nd November, 2024, and signed by order of the Governor, by the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of West Bengal, P.K. Mishra. The aforementioned Department Notification No. 4712 is broken down into the following sections; List-I (Public Holidays in 2025 under the N. I. Act), List-II (Holidays under the order of State Government in 2025), which as usual contains additional government only public holiday dates on the day before or after the public holidays of list I, List-III (Sectional Holidays in 2025), finishing off with the footnotes "1. Sundays are holidays under the Negotiable Instrument Act." and "2. In the year 2025, the following festivals/ occasions fall on Sundays which are public Holidays under N.I. Act and hence have not been included in lists", referring to the Birthday of Swami Vivekananda, Republic Day, Saraswati Puja [Sree Panchami], Birthday of Poet Bhanu Bhakt (for Darjeeling and Kalingpong District only), Mahalaya, and Durga Puja, Maha Shashthi. Referring to the 3 aforementioned lists, the Department Notification No. 4712 states that "the Governor is pleased to declare the days as specified at List I below to be Public Holidays during the year 2025", "the offices under the Government of West Bengal with the exception of the offices of the Registrar of Assurances, Kolkata and Collector of the Stamp Revenue, Kolkata shall be closed on the days as specified at List-II below which are not declared to be public holidays, during the year 2025" and that "the days as specified at List-Ill may be observed as Sectional Holidays in the year 2025 for the employees of different communities mentioned against the day".
West Bengal 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of West Bengal (Howrah) The government of India's state of West Bengal has announced its list of 2024 non-working public holidays, in the Department Notification No. 4712 -F(P2), dated Howrah, the 22nd November, 2024, and signed by order of the Governor, by the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of West Bengal, P.K. Mishra. The aforementioned Department Notification No. 4712 is broken down into the following sections; List-I (Public Holidays in 2025 under the N. I. Act), List-II (Holidays under the order of State Government in 2025), which as usual contains additional government only public holiday dates on the day before or after the public holidays of list I, List-III (Sectional Holidays in 2025), finishing off with the footnotes "1. Sundays are holidays under the Negotiable Instrument Act." and "2. In the year 2025, the following festivals/ occasions fall on Sundays which are public Holidays under N.I. Act and hence have not been included in lists", referring to the Birthday of Swami Vivekananda, Republic Day, Saraswati Puja [Sree Panchami], Birthday of Poet Bhanu Bhakt (for Darjeeling and Kalingpong District only), Mahalaya, and Durga Puja, Maha Shashthi. Referring to the 3 aforementioned lists, the Department Notification No. 4712 states that "the Governor is pleased to declare the days as specified at List I below to be Public Holidays during the year 2025", "the offices under the Government of West Bengal with the exception of the offices of the Registrar of Assurances, Kolkata and Collector of the Stamp Revenue, Kolkata shall be closed on the days as specified at List-II below which are not declared to be public holidays, during the year 2025" and that "the days as specified at List-Ill may be observed as Sectional Holidays in the year 2025 for the employees of different communities mentioned against the day".
Yukon Declares 2025 Public Holidays The Government of Yukon (Whitehorse) The territorial government of Canada's Yukon Territory has announced the list of 2025 public holidays in Yukon, including the National Aboriginal Day public holiday, added in 2017, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation public holiday added in 2023.
Yukon Declares 2025 Public Holidays The Government of Yukon (Whitehorse) The territorial government of Canada's Yukon Territory has announced the list of 2025 public holidays in Yukon, including the National Aboriginal Day public holiday, added in 2017, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation public holiday added in 2023.
Argentina Announces 2025 Public Holidays Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina (Buenos Aires) The government of Argentina has published the Decreto 1027/2024, signed by Argentina's President, Javier Milei, and his Chief of Staff, Guillermo Francos, which declares 3 bridge public holidays in 2025 (días no laborables con fines turísticos), in addition to the list of annual public holidays of Argentina, as per the Ley N° 27.399. These 3 days are declared as non-working days and not as holidays, so it is up to the employer to decide whether to work or not, except in the National Public Administration, Banks, Insurance and related activities, in which the observance of these 3 days is mandatory. The feriados con fines turísticos were established in the "Decreto 1585/2010, Establécense días feriados con fines turísticos", implementing a major public holidays revision and instituting the principle of 2 annual bridge public holidays. During his run for office, in 2017, President Mauricio Macri had vowed to eliminate one-off bridge public holidays in Argentina, and when he took office, he first sent a legislative proposal to end one-off public holidays in Argentina, and faced with legislative delays, he issued the Decreto de Necesidad y Urgencia to effect the change by executive decree instead. But, as the French say, "chassez le naturel et il revient au galop", and later that same year, the feriados puente were re-instated in the law 27.399 whereby the executive now had the ability to declare one-off bridge public holidays in Argentina, up to a maximum of 3 per year. In principle, these días no laborables con fines turísticos need to be announced at least 50 days before the beginning of the year in question, but that has not always been the case.
Argentina Announces 2025 Public Holidays Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina (Buenos Aires) The government of Argentina has published the Decreto 1027/2024, signed by Argentina's President, Javier Milei, and his Chief of Staff, Guillermo Francos, which declares 3 bridge public holidays in 2025 (días no laborables con fines turísticos), in addition to the list of annual public holidays of Argentina, as per the Ley N° 27.399. These 3 days are declared as non-working days and not as holidays, so it is up to the employer to decide whether to work or not, except in the National Public Administration, Banks, Insurance and related activities, in which the observance of these 3 days is mandatory. The feriados con fines turísticos were established in the "Decreto 1585/2010, Establécense días feriados con fines turísticos", implementing a major public holidays revision and instituting the principle of 2 annual bridge public holidays. During his run for office, in 2017, President Mauricio Macri had vowed to eliminate one-off bridge public holidays in Argentina, and when he took office, he first sent a legislative proposal to end one-off public holidays in Argentina, and faced with legislative delays, he issued the Decreto de Necesidad y Urgencia to effect the change by executive decree instead. But, as the French say, "chassez le naturel et il revient au galop", and later that same year, the feriados puente were re-instated in the law 27.399 whereby the executive now had the ability to declare one-off bridge public holidays in Argentina, up to a maximum of 3 per year. In principle, these días no laborables con fines turísticos need to be announced at least 50 days before the beginning of the year in question, but that has not always been the case.
Indonesian November 27 Electoral Public Holiday Finally Officialized Situs Resmi Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kesejahteraan Rakyat (Jakarta) Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto, has issued the Presidential Decree Number 33 finally officially declaring Wednesday, November 27, 2024, as a one off public holiday on account of that day's nationwide election of governors and deputy governors, regents and deputy regents, and mayors and deputy mayors. The Presidential Decree Number 33 is in accordance with the provisions of Law Number 6 of 2020 concerning the Election of Governors, Regents and Mayors, which states that voting is carried out on holidays or days that are declared off. Recall that, earlier this month, Indonesia's Secretary of State, Prasetyo Hadi, had announced that the Indonesian government had decided to declare Wednesday, November 27, 2024, as a one-off public holiday on account of the Simultaneous Regional Elections being held on that date, as was done in 2020, 2018, and 2015. But since then, the release of the expected official decree kept on being postponed.
Indonesian November 27 Electoral Public Holiday Finally Officialized Situs Resmi Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kesejahteraan Rakyat (Jakarta) Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto, has issued the Presidential Decree Number 33 finally officially declaring Wednesday, November 27, 2024, as a one off public holiday on account of that day's nationwide election of governors and deputy governors, regents and deputy regents, and mayors and deputy mayors. The Presidential Decree Number 33 is in accordance with the provisions of Law Number 6 of 2020 concerning the Election of Governors, Regents and Mayors, which states that voting is carried out on holidays or days that are declared off. Recall that, earlier this month, Indonesia's Secretary of State, Prasetyo Hadi, had announced that the Indonesian government had decided to declare Wednesday, November 27, 2024, as a one-off public holiday on account of the Simultaneous Regional Elections being held on that date, as was done in 2020, 2018, and 2015. But since then, the release of the expected official decree kept on being postponed.
Karnataka 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Karnataka (Bengaluru) The Government of India's state of Karnataka has issued the vide notification No.DPAR 16 HHL 2024 confirming its earlier announcement of the Karnataka list of non-working public holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2025. As per the aforementioned vide notification, "This list does not include Republic Day (26.01.2025), Ugadi Festival (30.03.2025), Last Day of Moharam (06.07.2025) and Mahalaya Amavasye (21.09.2025) which falls on Sundays and Kanakadasa Jayantht (08.11.2025) which falls on Second Saturday.". The list of 2025 public holidays in Karnataka comes a week earlier than last year's vide notification No. DPAR 16 HHL2023 which contained the list of 2024 public holidays in Karnataka, and indeed of the announcements of the past few years which all came near the end of November.
Karnataka 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Karnataka (Bengaluru) The Government of India's state of Karnataka has issued the vide notification No.DPAR 16 HHL 2024 confirming its earlier announcement of the Karnataka list of non-working public holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2025. As per the aforementioned vide notification, "This list does not include Republic Day (26.01.2025), Ugadi Festival (30.03.2025), Last Day of Moharam (06.07.2025) and Mahalaya Amavasye (21.09.2025) which falls on Sundays and Kanakadasa Jayantht (08.11.2025) which falls on Second Saturday.". The list of 2025 public holidays in Karnataka comes a week earlier than last year's vide notification No. DPAR 16 HHL2023 which contained the list of 2024 public holidays in Karnataka, and indeed of the announcements of the past few years which all came near the end of November.
Kazakhstan 2025 Public Holidays Partially Released Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana) The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan has announced changes to the list of January 2025 public holidays in a partial release of the upcoming О переносе дня отдыха в 2025 году annual decree. As per the aforementioned announcement, "the day off from Sunday, January 5, 2025, is transferred to Friday, January 3, 2025". Late last month, the same ministry had announced that it was working on the possible changes to the list of public holidays for 2025 ("the ministry is currently developing a draft order to transfer the days off to 2025, which will be posted on the ministry’s website and on the Internet portal of open regulatory legal acts for public discussion."). Usually, the Government of Kazakhstan announces the list of one-off bridge public holidays and compensatory working Saturdays in December for the following year, but no such announcement was made in December 2023, and the draft decree On the postponement of the day of rest in 2024 (О переносе дня отдыха в 2024 году) was only posted on the eGov website of the Government of Kazakhstan on April 12 and officialized on April 18, 2024.
Kazakhstan 2025 Public Holidays Partially Released Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana) The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan has announced changes to the list of January 2025 public holidays in a partial release of the upcoming О переносе дня отдыха в 2025 году annual decree. As per the aforementioned announcement, "the day off from Sunday, January 5, 2025, is transferred to Friday, January 3, 2025". Late last month, the same ministry had announced that it was working on the possible changes to the list of public holidays for 2025 ("the ministry is currently developing a draft order to transfer the days off to 2025, which will be posted on the ministry’s website and on the Internet portal of open regulatory legal acts for public discussion."). Usually, the Government of Kazakhstan announces the list of one-off bridge public holidays and compensatory working Saturdays in December for the following year, but no such announcement was made in December 2023, and the draft decree On the postponement of the day of rest in 2024 (О переносе дня отдыха в 2024 году) was only posted on the eGov website of the Government of Kazakhstan on April 12 and officialized on April 18, 2024.
Timor Leste Declares November 29 Public Holiday Press Release Government Of Timor-Leste (Dili) The government of Timor Leste has issued a communiqué declaring Friday, November 29, 2024, as as a one-off public sector holiday (Tolerância de Ponto no dia 29 de novembro de 2024 por ocasião do 49.o Aniversário da Proclamação da Independência de Timor-Leste). As per the aforementioned communiqué, "under the provisions of paragraph a) of paragraph 2 and paragraph d) of paragraph 6 of article 7 of Law no . 10/2005 , of August 10, amended by Laws no. 3/2016 , of May 25, and 10/2023, of April 5, the Prime Minister determined the following: A day off is granted on November 29th, all day". The weekday before or the day after (sometime both) the annual November 28 Proclamation of Independence public holiday has often been declared a tolerância de ponto (most recently in 2017, 2013, and in 2012).
Timor Leste Declares November 29 Public Holiday Press Release Government Of Timor-Leste (Dili) The government of Timor Leste has issued a communiqué declaring Friday, November 29, 2024, as as a one-off public sector holiday (Tolerância de Ponto no dia 29 de novembro de 2024 por ocasião do 49.o Aniversário da Proclamação da Independência de Timor-Leste). As per the aforementioned communiqué, "under the provisions of paragraph a) of paragraph 2 and paragraph d) of paragraph 6 of article 7 of Law no . 10/2005 , of August 10, amended by Laws no. 3/2016 , of May 25, and 10/2023, of April 5, the Prime Minister determined the following: A day off is granted on November 29th, all day". The weekday before or the day after (sometime both) the annual November 28 Proclamation of Independence public holiday has often been declared a tolerância de ponto (most recently in 2017, 2013, and in 2012).
Basel-Stadt Announces 2026 Public Holidays Kanton Basel-Stadt (Basel) Switzerland's canton of Basel-Stadt has announced its list of 2026 public holidays and paid days off work. As usual the aforementioned list includes a 7 half-day paid sector holidays on the eve of most holidays such as Christmas, New Year, Good Friday, May 1st, August 1st, and Ascension Day. Note, however, that the Government of the canton of Basel-Stadt is reorganizing its public sector holidays to become a more attractive employer. As part of that program, some of the half-day public sector holidays, such as the ones before before Good Friday and Ascension Day, will be replaced by full-day public sector holidays.
Basel-Stadt Announces 2026 Public Holidays Kanton Basel-Stadt (Basel) Switzerland's canton of Basel-Stadt has announced its list of 2026 public holidays and paid days off work. As usual the aforementioned list includes a 7 half-day paid sector holidays on the eve of most holidays such as Christmas, New Year, Good Friday, May 1st, August 1st, and Ascension Day. Note, however, that the Government of the canton of Basel-Stadt is reorganizing its public sector holidays to become a more attractive employer. As part of that program, some of the half-day public sector holidays, such as the ones before before Good Friday and Ascension Day, will be replaced by full-day public sector holidays.
Serbian 2025 Public Holidays Announced Serbian Government Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (Belgrade) The Serbian government has released the annual list of official non-working public holidays and bank holidays in Serbia for the calendar year 2025 (Календар државних празника 2025), in line with the amended Law on State Holidays of Serbia of 2011, which extended the duration of Serbia's Statehood Day (Sretenje) from 1 to 2 days. Note that the list of 2025 Serbian public holidays does not include Orthodox New Year, as the declaration of Monday, January 14, 2013, as an official non-working public holiday in Serbia, was a one-off event. And, as usual, the aforementioned list mentions the following Working public holidays; Saint Sava’s Day (27 January), National Holocaust, WWII Genocide and other Fascist Crimes Victims Remembrance Day (22 April), Victory Day (9 May), Saint Vitus' Day (28 June), and World War II Serbian Victims Remembrance Day (21 October).
Serbian 2025 Public Holidays Announced Serbian Government Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (Belgrade) The Serbian government has released the annual list of official non-working public holidays and bank holidays in Serbia for the calendar year 2025 (Календар државних празника 2025), in line with the amended Law on State Holidays of Serbia of 2011, which extended the duration of Serbia's Statehood Day (Sretenje) from 1 to 2 days. Note that the list of 2025 Serbian public holidays does not include Orthodox New Year, as the declaration of Monday, January 14, 2013, as an official non-working public holiday in Serbia, was a one-off event. And, as usual, the aforementioned list mentions the following Working public holidays; Saint Sava’s Day (27 January), National Holocaust, WWII Genocide and other Fascist Crimes Victims Remembrance Day (22 April), Victory Day (9 May), Saint Vitus' Day (28 June), and World War II Serbian Victims Remembrance Day (21 October).
Bihar Declares December 5 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 S.P 472/B which declares a one-off public sector holiday on Thursday, December 5, 2024, on account of that day's by-elections. The aforementioned vide notification does not substantially amend the terms of the Government vide notification No. 3/H-02/2023-S.P 16953 of September 2023 which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Bihar for the calendar year 2024, as that previous vide notification only covered statewide public holidays.
Bihar Declares December 5 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 S.P 472/B which declares a one-off public sector holiday on Thursday, December 5, 2024, on account of that day's by-elections. The aforementioned vide notification does not substantially amend the terms of the Government vide notification No. 3/H-02/2023-S.P 16953 of September 2023 which specified the annual list of non-working public holidays in India's state of Bihar for the calendar year 2024, as that previous vide notification only covered statewide public holidays.
Liechtenstein 2025 Public Holidays Announced Liechtensteinischer Bankenverband (Bankenplatz Liechtenstein) The government of Liechtenstein has released its annual official list of Liechtenstein bank holidays and public holidays in Liechtenstein for the calendar year 2025. As usual, some of the announced dates are public holidays observed by banks and the financial sector only, namely; St Berchtold's Day, Carnival, Good Friday, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve.
Liechtenstein 2025 Public Holidays Announced Liechtensteinischer Bankenverband (Bankenplatz Liechtenstein) The government of Liechtenstein has released its annual official list of Liechtenstein bank holidays and public holidays in Liechtenstein for the calendar year 2025. As usual, some of the announced dates are public holidays observed by banks and the financial sector only, namely; St Berchtold's Day, Carnival, Good Friday, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve.
Macedonia Alphabet Day Public Holiday November 22 Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Macedonia (Skopje) Macedonia's Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth has announced that Friday, November 22, 2024, would be a non-working public holiday for Albanian citizens in Macedonia. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth announces that, in accordance with the Law on Holidays of the Republic of Macedonia (Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia no. 21/98 and 18/07), November 22, 2024 (Friday) is Alphabet Day Shqip, it is a non-working day for citizens who belong to the Albanian community in the Republic of North Macedonia". The aforementioned announcement is in line with the dates contained in last October's list of official non-working public holidays in Macedonia and Macedonian bank holidays for the calendar year 2024 (Програма на неработни денови за 2024 година), which contained sectorial holidays for citizens of Orthodox religion, Catholic religion, Muslim religion, the Albanian community, the Serb community, the Roma community, the Vlach community, the Jewish community, the Bosniak community, and the Turkish community.
Macedonia Alphabet Day Public Holiday November 22 Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Macedonia (Skopje) Macedonia's Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth has announced that Friday, November 22, 2024, would be a non-working public holiday for Albanian citizens in Macedonia. As per the aforementioned announcement, "The Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth announces that, in accordance with the Law on Holidays of the Republic of Macedonia (Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia no. 21/98 and 18/07), November 22, 2024 (Friday) is Alphabet Day Shqip, it is a non-working day for citizens who belong to the Albanian community in the Republic of North Macedonia". The aforementioned announcement is in line with the dates contained in last October's list of official non-working public holidays in Macedonia and Macedonian bank holidays for the calendar year 2024 (Програма на неработни денови за 2024 година), which contained sectorial holidays for citizens of Orthodox religion, Catholic religion, Muslim religion, the Albanian community, the Serb community, the Roma community, the Vlach community, the Jewish community, the Bosniak community, and the Turkish community.
Peruvian Bill To Make Extended Public Holidays Predictable Diario Oficial El Peruano (Lima) The Peruvian Congress is considering Bill No. 5095 which establishes a scheme to make the annual declaration of bridge public sector holidays predictable. As per the aforementioned bill, public holidays falling on a Tuesday would create a public sector holiday on the preceding Monday, public holidays falling on a Thursday would create a public sector holiday on the following Friday, and public holidays falling on a Wednesday would create a public sector holiday on the preceding Monday and Tuesday. As per the bill's sponsor, Congresswoman Adriana Tudela, "In this way, more Peruvians could plan their tourism trips, by having advance information about non-working days . And companies in the sector could better prepare for long holidays and thus offer better services". Recall that, almost every year, the Peruvian government gazettes a Decreto Supremo which expands the recently-announced list of public holidays in Peru for the coming calendar year ("Decreto Supremo que declara días no laborables compensables para los trabajadores del sector público, durante el año ..."). In 2024, 7 such public sector holidays were declared via the Decreto Supremo Nº 011-2024-PCM and the Decreto Supremo Nº 066-2024-PCM.
Peruvian Bill To Make Extended Public Holidays Predictable Diario Oficial El Peruano (Lima) The Peruvian Congress is considering Bill No. 5095 which establishes a scheme to make the annual declaration of bridge public sector holidays predictable. As per the aforementioned bill, public holidays falling on a Tuesday would create a public sector holiday on the preceding Monday, public holidays falling on a Thursday would create a public sector holiday on the following Friday, and public holidays falling on a Wednesday would create a public sector holiday on the preceding Monday and Tuesday. As per the bill's sponsor, Congresswoman Adriana Tudela, "In this way, more Peruvians could plan their tourism trips, by having advance information about non-working days . And companies in the sector could better prepare for long holidays and thus offer better services". Recall that, almost every year, the Peruvian government gazettes a Decreto Supremo which expands the recently-announced list of public holidays in Peru for the coming calendar year ("Decreto Supremo que declara días no laborables compensables para los trabajadores del sector público, durante el año ..."). In 2024, 7 such public sector holidays were declared via the Decreto Supremo Nº 011-2024-PCM and the Decreto Supremo Nº 066-2024-PCM.
South Korea Declares May 15 National Holiday Yonhap News Agency (Seoul) The South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has announced that the government had approved a change to the regulations on national holidays and commemorative days, whereby May 15 will become a South Korean National Holiday commemorating the birthday of King Sejong, the fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, who was born May 15, 1397.
South Korea Declares May 15 National Holiday Yonhap News Agency (Seoul) The South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has announced that the government had approved a change to the regulations on national holidays and commemorative days, whereby May 15 will become a South Korean National Holiday commemorating the birthday of King Sejong, the fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, who was born May 15, 1397.
Equatorial Guinea Votes August 3rd As National Day Equatorial Guinea News Portal (Malabo) A bill to declare August 3 as the national Day of Equatorial Guinea was approved in the plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies of Equatorial Guinea.
Equatorial Guinea Votes August 3rd As National Day Equatorial Guinea News Portal (Malabo) A bill to declare August 3 as the national Day of Equatorial Guinea was approved in the plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies of Equatorial Guinea.
Guam Declares Black Friday Public Holiday The Government of Guam (Chamorro) The Governor of Guam, Lou Leon Guerrero, is about to declare the Friday after the upcoming Thanksgiving public holiday, Friday, November 29, 2024, as a one-off GovGuam public sector holiday in Guam. As per the governor's spokesperson, Krystal Paco-San Agustin, "Governor Leon Guerrero will be declaring Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, a GovGuam holiday. An executive order will be issued in the coming days to make this official". The declaration of the Friday after Thanksgiving as a public sector holiday in Guam used to be an almost annual event, until 2018, but this practice was interrupted when Governor Calvo left, and then reestablished beginning in 2021.
Guam Declares Black Friday Public Holiday The Government of Guam (Chamorro) The Governor of Guam, Lou Leon Guerrero, is about to declare the Friday after the upcoming Thanksgiving public holiday, Friday, November 29, 2024, as a one-off GovGuam public sector holiday in Guam. As per the governor's spokesperson, Krystal Paco-San Agustin, "Governor Leon Guerrero will be declaring Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, a GovGuam holiday. An executive order will be issued in the coming days to make this official". The declaration of the Friday after Thanksgiving as a public sector holiday in Guam used to be an almost annual event, until 2018, but this practice was interrupted when Governor Calvo left, and then reestablished beginning in 2021.
Ladakh 2025 Public Holidays Announced Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh (Leh) India's Union Territory of Ladakh has released the Government vide order No.541-LA(GAD) of 2024, signed by Michael D'Souza, Administrative Secretary to the General Administration Department, which list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in Ladakh for the upcoming calendar year 2025. As per the aforementioned vide notification, "The holidays listed in Annexure A and B to this Order shall be observed in the Government Offices and Educational Institutions of the Union territory of Ladakh, during the Calendar Year, 2025. In addition to the list of public holidays at Annexure A, each employee will be allowed to avail any two holidays to be chosen by him / her out of the list of restricted holidays at Annexure C. In respect of Banks, the holidays shall be regulated in terms of the extant instructions issued under Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881 at Annexure D.". On October 31, 2019, the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir was split into 2, as the new Union Territory of Ladakh was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir, in a manner similar to the creation of Telangana as the 29th state of India on June 2, 2014, having itself been carved-out the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The remaining part of Jammu and Kashmir was then changed in status from a state to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ladakh 2025 Public Holidays Announced Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh (Leh) India's Union Territory of Ladakh has released the Government vide order No.541-LA(GAD) of 2024, signed by Michael D'Souza, Administrative Secretary to the General Administration Department, which list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in Ladakh for the upcoming calendar year 2025. As per the aforementioned vide notification, "The holidays listed in Annexure A and B to this Order shall be observed in the Government Offices and Educational Institutions of the Union territory of Ladakh, during the Calendar Year, 2025. In addition to the list of public holidays at Annexure A, each employee will be allowed to avail any two holidays to be chosen by him / her out of the list of restricted holidays at Annexure C. In respect of Banks, the holidays shall be regulated in terms of the extant instructions issued under Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881 at Annexure D.". On October 31, 2019, the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir was split into 2, as the new Union Territory of Ladakh was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir, in a manner similar to the creation of Telangana as the 29th state of India on June 2, 2014, having itself been carved-out the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The remaining part of Jammu and Kashmir was then changed in status from a state to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Nepal Declares Public Holiday For Speaker Dhungana Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) Earlier this morning, the Government of Nepal declared today, November 18, 2024, a public holiday due to the death of ex-Speaker Damannath Dhungana. As per the announcement made by Nepal's Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, "It has been decided to declare a public holiday today in honour of former Speaker Dhungana and hoist the national flag at half-mast at all government offices at home and abroad throughout the day". Today's declaration of Monday, November 18, 2024, as a public holiday thus amends the gazetted list of official non-working public holidays in Nepal for the Nepalese year 2081 (April 2024-April 2025).
Nepal Declares Public Holiday For Speaker Dhungana Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs (Kathmandu) Earlier this morning, the Government of Nepal declared today, November 18, 2024, a public holiday due to the death of ex-Speaker Damannath Dhungana. As per the announcement made by Nepal's Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, "It has been decided to declare a public holiday today in honour of former Speaker Dhungana and hoist the national flag at half-mast at all government offices at home and abroad throughout the day". Today's declaration of Monday, November 18, 2024, as a public holiday thus amends the gazetted list of official non-working public holidays in Nepal for the Nepalese year 2081 (April 2024-April 2025).
Bangladesh 2025 Bank Holidays Announced The Central Bank of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (Dhaka) Bangladesh's Central Bank has released its annual list of official bank holidays in Bangladesh for the calendar year 2025 ("All Banks and Financial Institutes of Bangladesh are closed on all Fridays and Saturdays and for the following holiday observances in the year of 2025") with a footnote that Muslim bank holidays (Shab-e-Barat, Shab-e-Qadr, Eid-ul-Fitr, Buddha Purnima, Eid-ul-Azha, Ashura, and Eid-e-Miladunnabi) are "Subject to the appearance of the Moon". As was the case for last month's list of 2025 public holidays in Bangladesh, today's list of 2025 bank holidays features the extension of both the Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and the Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) annual public holidays to last 5 days and 6 days, respectively, as well as an extension to the annual Durga Puja public holiday to last 2 days. The list of 2025 bank holidays also omits the March 17 annual public holiday commemorating the birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day, as well as of the annual August 15, National Mourning Day, public holiday which had been closely tied to the previous Awami League administration.
Bangladesh 2025 Bank Holidays Announced The Central Bank of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (Dhaka) Bangladesh's Central Bank has released its annual list of official bank holidays in Bangladesh for the calendar year 2025 ("All Banks and Financial Institutes of Bangladesh are closed on all Fridays and Saturdays and for the following holiday observances in the year of 2025") with a footnote that Muslim bank holidays (Shab-e-Barat, Shab-e-Qadr, Eid-ul-Fitr, Buddha Purnima, Eid-ul-Azha, Ashura, and Eid-e-Miladunnabi) are "Subject to the appearance of the Moon". As was the case for last month's list of 2025 public holidays in Bangladesh, today's list of 2025 bank holidays features the extension of both the Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and the Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) annual public holidays to last 5 days and 6 days, respectively, as well as an extension to the annual Durga Puja public holiday to last 2 days. The list of 2025 bank holidays also omits the March 17 annual public holiday commemorating the birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day, as well as of the annual August 15, National Mourning Day, public holiday which had been closely tied to the previous Awami League administration.
Ecuador Decrees Compensation For Recent October 31 Public Holiday Agencia de Noticias del Ecuador y Sudamérica (ANDES) Ecuador's President, Daniel Noboa Azín, has signed the Executive Decree No.459 defining the modalities of the recovery of the recent one-off public holiday on Thursday, October 31, 2024. The aforementioned decree officially concerns the public sector, but "the private sector will be able to benefit from this provision". Recall that, last month, President Noboa had signed the Executive Decree No.438 extending the 2024 All Souls' and Cuenca Independence public holidays to Thursday, October 31, 2024, with the objective of "strengthening economic activity", meaning that Ecuadorean were on public holidays from October 31 until November 4, 2024, inclusively.
Ecuador Decrees Compensation For Recent October 31 Public Holiday Agencia de Noticias del Ecuador y Sudamérica (ANDES) Ecuador's President, Daniel Noboa Azín, has signed the Executive Decree No.459 defining the modalities of the recovery of the recent one-off public holiday on Thursday, October 31, 2024. The aforementioned decree officially concerns the public sector, but "the private sector will be able to benefit from this provision". Recall that, last month, President Noboa had signed the Executive Decree No.438 extending the 2024 All Souls' and Cuenca Independence public holidays to Thursday, October 31, 2024, with the objective of "strengthening economic activity", meaning that Ecuadorean were on public holidays from October 31 until November 4, 2024, inclusively.
Assam State Cabinet Panel to Examine 2025 Public Holidays Government of Assam (Dispur) The Government of India's state of Assam has announced that a cabinet sub-committee had been formed to examine the Holiday List 2025 prepared by the General Administration Department (GAD), "taking into account the demands received from various associations and organizations". The annual list of non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2024 was published last November in the government notification No.221561/11.
Assam State Cabinet Panel to Examine 2025 Public Holidays Government of Assam (Dispur) The Government of India's state of Assam has announced that a cabinet sub-committee had been formed to examine the Holiday List 2025 prepared by the General Administration Department (GAD), "taking into account the demands received from various associations and organizations". The annual list of non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2024 was published last November in the government notification No.221561/11.
Belarus Decrees List Of 2025 Public Holidays The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus (Minsk) The Council of Ministers of Belarus has issued the Resolution №839, On the transfer of working days in 2025, Based on Part Six of Article 136 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Belarus (О переносе рабочих дней в 2025 году, На основании части шестой статьи 136 Трудового кодекса Республики Беларусь), signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, R. Golovchenko, and which expands the annual list of non-working public holidays in Belarus during the upcoming calendar year 2025. Once more, the aforementioned Resolution of the Council of Ministers, announces the one-off bridge public holidays and working Saturday in Belarus before the beginning of the year, rather than on a case-by-case basis as was the case before 2013. In related news, Belarus President, Alexander Lukashenko, has revealed that he had given some thought to the idea of declaring a new annual public holiday on September 17 to mark the Day of National Unity but that he had decided against it, considering that "in Belarus, compared to other countries, there are already many non-working holidays", adding that "this issue is not closed, it can be resolved at any time".
Belarus Decrees List Of 2025 Public Holidays The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus (Minsk) The Council of Ministers of Belarus has issued the Resolution №839, On the transfer of working days in 2025, Based on Part Six of Article 136 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Belarus (О переносе рабочих дней в 2025 году, На основании части шестой статьи 136 Трудового кодекса Республики Беларусь), signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, R. Golovchenko, and which expands the annual list of non-working public holidays in Belarus during the upcoming calendar year 2025. Once more, the aforementioned Resolution of the Council of Ministers, announces the one-off bridge public holidays and working Saturday in Belarus before the beginning of the year, rather than on a case-by-case basis as was the case before 2013. In related news, Belarus President, Alexander Lukashenko, has revealed that he had given some thought to the idea of declaring a new annual public holiday on September 17 to mark the Day of National Unity but that he had decided against it, considering that "in Belarus, compared to other countries, there are already many non-working holidays", adding that "this issue is not closed, it can be resolved at any time".
Dominican Republic Releases 2025 Public Holidays Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo) The Ministry of Labour of the Dominican Republic has announced its annual list of non-working public holidays in the Dominican Republic for the calendar year 2025, based on law 139-97, published in the Official Gazette No. 9957, dated June 25, 1997, as well as Article 35 of the Constitution and Ruling No. 14 of 02/20/2008 of the Supreme Court of Justice. Recall that, currently, after many court rulings and legislative initiatives, most of the contents of the Ley No. 139-97 (Ley No. 139-97 mediante la cual los días feriados del calendario que coincidan con los días martes y miércoles, jueves o viernes serán trasladados de fecha) have been removed and its scope does not, or no longer, cover the following public holidays; January 1st, January 21, February 27, August 16, September 24, and December 25. Indeed, in 2025, only 2 public holidays will be moved from their set day; May 1st (Día del Trabajo) and November 6 (Día de la Constitución).
Dominican Republic Releases 2025 Public Holidays Ministerio de Trabajo República Dominicana (Santo Domingo) The Ministry of Labour of the Dominican Republic has announced its annual list of non-working public holidays in the Dominican Republic for the calendar year 2025, based on law 139-97, published in the Official Gazette No. 9957, dated June 25, 1997, as well as Article 35 of the Constitution and Ruling No. 14 of 02/20/2008 of the Supreme Court of Justice. Recall that, currently, after many court rulings and legislative initiatives, most of the contents of the Ley No. 139-97 (Ley No. 139-97 mediante la cual los días feriados del calendario que coincidan con los días martes y miércoles, jueves o viernes serán trasladados de fecha) have been removed and its scope does not, or no longer, cover the following public holidays; January 1st, January 21, February 27, August 16, September 24, and December 25. Indeed, in 2025, only 2 public holidays will be moved from their set day; May 1st (Día del Trabajo) and November 6 (Día de la Constitución).
Gujarat 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Gujarat (Gandhinagar) The Government of India's state of Gujarat has announced its annual list of 25 public holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2025 in the Government of Gujarat Government vide Notification No.GS/26/ 2024/JSR/ 2024/605/G, signed by Jwalant Trivedi, the additional secretary to government of the General Administration Department of the State of Gujarat. Out of these 25 public holidays, 5 fall on a Sunday or a 2nd/4th Saturday of the month. The aforementioned vide notification also includes 50 optional holidays, 11 of which fall on a Sunday or a 2nd/4th Saturday of the month. The vide Notification No.GS/26/ 2024/JSR/ 2024/605/G contains the usual footnotes, "Government Employees may avail of maximum any two of the holidays on the festival occasions mentioned above at their option and irrespective of their religious denomination. Permission for availment of these optional holidays should however, be applied for in advance and will normally be granted by the officer competent to grant casual leave with due regard to the exigencies of Government work. This leave of two days taken by Government Employees at their discretion on the festival of their choice will not be debited to their casual leave account." and "If any of the Muslim religion holidays notified above, does not fall on the day notified, the Muslim Employees of Government may be granted an optional holiday on the day on which the holiday is actually observed.".
Gujarat 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Gujarat (Gandhinagar) The Government of India's state of Gujarat has announced its annual list of 25 public holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2025 in the Government of Gujarat Government vide Notification No.GS/26/ 2024/JSR/ 2024/605/G, signed by Jwalant Trivedi, the additional secretary to government of the General Administration Department of the State of Gujarat. Out of these 25 public holidays, 5 fall on a Sunday or a 2nd/4th Saturday of the month. The aforementioned vide notification also includes 50 optional holidays, 11 of which fall on a Sunday or a 2nd/4th Saturday of the month. The vide Notification No.GS/26/ 2024/JSR/ 2024/605/G contains the usual footnotes, "Government Employees may avail of maximum any two of the holidays on the festival occasions mentioned above at their option and irrespective of their religious denomination. Permission for availment of these optional holidays should however, be applied for in advance and will normally be granted by the officer competent to grant casual leave with due regard to the exigencies of Government work. This leave of two days taken by Government Employees at their discretion on the festival of their choice will not be debited to their casual leave account." and "If any of the Muslim religion holidays notified above, does not fall on the day notified, the Muslim Employees of Government may be granted an optional holiday on the day on which the holiday is actually observed.".
Hungary Approves December 24 Public Holiday Referendum Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) The Hungarian National Election Committee (Nemzeti Választási Bizottság, NVB) has approved a referendum proposal submitted by the Trade Union of Commercial Employees that seeks 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 starting from the calendar year 2025, 24 December should be designated as a public holiday?". Note that December 24, 2024, and December 24, 2025, will be public holidays in Hungary, but they will be compensated by the declaration of Saturday, December 7, 2024, and Saturday, December 13, 2025, respectively, as a regular working days. Earlier this week, we reported that a member of the Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom party, Péter Balassa, had once again re-introduced a bill in the Hungarian Parliament to amend Act I of 2012 of the Hungarian Labor Code by declaring Christmas Eve, on December 24, as a new annual Hungarian public holiday. Similar bills were introduced in 2020 and in 2017.
Hungary Approves December 24 Public Holiday Referendum Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) The Hungarian National Election Committee (Nemzeti Választási Bizottság, NVB) has approved a referendum proposal submitted by the Trade Union of Commercial Employees that seeks 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 starting from the calendar year 2025, 24 December should be designated as a public holiday?". Note that December 24, 2024, and December 24, 2025, will be public holidays in Hungary, but they will be compensated by the declaration of Saturday, December 7, 2024, and Saturday, December 13, 2025, respectively, as a regular working days. Earlier this week, we reported that a member of the Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom party, Péter Balassa, had once again re-introduced a bill in the Hungarian Parliament to amend Act I of 2012 of the Hungarian Labor Code by declaring Christmas Eve, on December 24, as a new annual Hungarian public holiday. Similar bills were introduced in 2020 and in 2017.
Kurdistan Census Public Holidays Al Sumaria News (Baghdad) The Council of Ministers of the Regional Government of the Kurdistan province of Iraq (KRG), has declared public holidays from November 15 to 23, 2024, in the areas affected by Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which covers territories disputed between the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi federal government, to enable broad participation in Iraq’s upcoming national census. The aforementioned public holidays apply to civil servants, security forces, and students, but the Diwan of the Kurdistan Region’s Council of Ministers called on organizations, companies and private institutions to allow their staff members, who hail from the disputed areas, to return to their hometowns as well. Though nominally still a part of Iraq, Kurdistan has benefited from a large dose of de facto independence since 1990 and legally since the 2005 constitution.
Kurdistan Census Public Holidays Al Sumaria News (Baghdad) The Council of Ministers of the Regional Government of the Kurdistan province of Iraq (KRG), has declared public holidays from November 15 to 23, 2024, in the areas affected by Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which covers territories disputed between the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi federal government, to enable broad participation in Iraq’s upcoming national census. The aforementioned public holidays apply to civil servants, security forces, and students, but the Diwan of the Kurdistan Region’s Council of Ministers called on organizations, companies and private institutions to allow their staff members, who hail from the disputed areas, to return to their hometowns as well. Though nominally still a part of Iraq, Kurdistan has benefited from a large dose of de facto independence since 1990 and legally since the 2005 constitution.
Latvia To Consider November 11 Public Holiday The Welfare Ministry of the Government of Latvia (Riga) The Saeima (Latvia's unicameral parliament) has approved the consideration of a proposal submitted by the opposition National Alliance (NA) to designate November 11 (Lāčplēsis Day) as a new annual public holiday, and has referred the aforementioned Amendments to the Law on Public Holidays, Commemorations and Commemorative Days to the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee.
Latvia To Consider November 11 Public Holiday The Welfare Ministry of the Government of Latvia (Riga) The Saeima (Latvia's unicameral parliament) has approved the consideration of a proposal submitted by the opposition National Alliance (NA) to designate November 11 (Lāčplēsis Day) as a new annual public holiday, and has referred the aforementioned Amendments to the Law on Public Holidays, Commemorations and Commemorative Days to the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee.
Venezuelan Bank Holiday November 18 Superintendencia de Instituciones del Sector Bancario (Sudeban) The Venezuelan regulatory body for the banking sector, Sudeban (Superintendencia de Instituciones del Sector Bancario) has announced that Monday, November 18, 2024, would be a bank holiday in Venezuela, on account of the upcoming Día de la Virgen del Rosario de Chiquinquirá, patron saint of the state of Zulia, a date only observed by banks and the financial sector of Venezuela. The aforementioned announcement is in line with the official list of 2024 public and banking holidays in Venezuela as announced last December by the Sudeban, in conformity with the Ley de Reforma Parcial de la Ley de Instituciones del Sector Bancario.
Venezuelan Bank Holiday November 18 Superintendencia de Instituciones del Sector Bancario (Sudeban) The Venezuelan regulatory body for the banking sector, Sudeban (Superintendencia de Instituciones del Sector Bancario) has announced that Monday, November 18, 2024, would be a bank holiday in Venezuela, on account of the upcoming Día de la Virgen del Rosario de Chiquinquirá, patron saint of the state of Zulia, a date only observed by banks and the financial sector of Venezuela. The aforementioned announcement is in line with the official list of 2024 public and banking holidays in Venezuela as announced last December by the Sudeban, in conformity with the Ley de Reforma Parcial de la Ley de Instituciones del Sector Bancario.
Delhi NCT 2025 Public Holidays Released The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (New Delhi) The Lieutenant Governor of India's National Capital Territory of Delhi, has released the vide Notification No. F. 53/689/GAD/ CN/2024-25/ 2065-2111, containing the list of annual public holidays and restricted holidays to be observed as holidays in all Government offices of the National Capital Territory of Delhi during the year 2025. As per the aforementioned vide notification, signed by order and in the name of the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, by the Secretary, Pradeep Tayal, "In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 read with the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs’ Notification No. U-11030/2/73-UTL dated 28/06/1973, the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi is pleased to declare the holidays specified in the schedule below, to be Public Holidays in the National Capital Territory of Delhi during the year 2025 (Saka Era 1946-47).".
Delhi NCT 2025 Public Holidays Released The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (New Delhi) The Lieutenant Governor of India's National Capital Territory of Delhi, has released the vide Notification No. F. 53/689/GAD/ CN/2024-25/ 2065-2111, containing the list of annual public holidays and restricted holidays to be observed as holidays in all Government offices of the National Capital Territory of Delhi during the year 2025. As per the aforementioned vide notification, signed by order and in the name of the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, by the Secretary, Pradeep Tayal, "In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 read with the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs’ Notification No. U-11030/2/73-UTL dated 28/06/1973, the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi is pleased to declare the holidays specified in the schedule below, to be Public Holidays in the National Capital Territory of Delhi during the year 2025 (Saka Era 1946-47).".
Iraqi 2025 Bank Holidays Announced The Central Bank of Iraq (Baghdad) The Central Bank of Iraq has released its official list of 2025 bank holidays related to the list of non-working public holidays in Iraq for the upcoming calendar year 2025 (عطل البنك المركزي العراقي لعام 2025 إضافة إلى أيام الجمع والسبت). The list of 2025 bank holidays in Iraq includes 2 additional dates, simply labeled as religious occasion (مناسبة دينية), the first of which corresponds to the Prophet's Ascension.
Iraqi 2025 Bank Holidays Announced The Central Bank of Iraq (Baghdad) The Central Bank of Iraq has released its official list of 2025 bank holidays related to the list of non-working public holidays in Iraq for the upcoming calendar year 2025 (عطل البنك المركزي العراقي لعام 2025 إضافة إلى أيام الجمع والسبت). The list of 2025 bank holidays in Iraq includes 2 additional dates, simply labeled as religious occasion (مناسبة دينية), the first of which corresponds to the Prophet's Ascension.
Kyrgyzstan Releases Draft List of 2025 Public Holidays Ministry of Labor Employment and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic (Bishkek) The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has released a draft cabinet resolution (О введении в действие Трудового кодекса Кыргызской Республики и внесении изменений в некоторые законодательные акты в сфере труда) on changes affecting the list of 2025 public holidays, for public discussion. Though the resolution is intended to apply to employees of state and municipal organizations, institutions and enterprises financed from the state budget, the draft do specify that "in order to rationally use weekends and non-working holidays, the draft proposes to recommend that heads of legal entities with private ownership, working on a five-day workweek schedule, transfer weekends next year in accordance with this resolution". Recall that, last April, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan announced changes to the annual public holidays in Kyrgyzstan, as part of the new Labor Code, namely, the abolition of the practice of declaring bridge public holiday compensated by working Saturdays, an annual 7-day period of public holidays in January and an 8-day period of public holidays in May, and the cancellation of 4 annual public holidays dates (whose status changes to holidays but working days). In June, the First Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan, Jyparisa Rysbekova, announced the approval to the changes to the annual public holidays in Kyrgyzstan in the new Labor Code, as announced in April ("Kyrgyzstan will have 21 holidays in a year").
Kyrgyzstan Releases Draft List of 2025 Public Holidays Ministry of Labor Employment and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic (Bishkek) The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has released a draft cabinet resolution (О введении в действие Трудового кодекса Кыргызской Республики и внесении изменений в некоторые законодательные акты в сфере труда) on changes affecting the list of 2025 public holidays, for public discussion. Though the resolution is intended to apply to employees of state and municipal organizations, institutions and enterprises financed from the state budget, the draft do specify that "in order to rationally use weekends and non-working holidays, the draft proposes to recommend that heads of legal entities with private ownership, working on a five-day workweek schedule, transfer weekends next year in accordance with this resolution". Recall that, last April, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan announced changes to the annual public holidays in Kyrgyzstan, as part of the new Labor Code, namely, the abolition of the practice of declaring bridge public holiday compensated by working Saturdays, an annual 7-day period of public holidays in January and an 8-day period of public holidays in May, and the cancellation of 4 annual public holidays dates (whose status changes to holidays but working days). In June, the First Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan, Jyparisa Rysbekova, announced the approval to the changes to the annual public holidays in Kyrgyzstan in the new Labor Code, as announced in April ("Kyrgyzstan will have 21 holidays in a year").
UAE Announces 4-Day National Day Public Holidays Emirates News Agency (WAM) The UAE has announced that the upcoming National Day celebrations will occur on Monday and Tuesday, December 2-3, 2024, and be officially called Eid Al Etihad. Since January 1, 2022, the UAE observes a Saturday-Sunday weekend "to better align its economy with global markets", meaning that the upcoming Eid Al Etihad will run for 4 consecutive days. Note, however, that in Sharjah the government weekend is from Friday to Sunday, and therefore employees in the public sector will enjoy a five-day long weekend.
UAE Announces 4-Day National Day Public Holidays Emirates News Agency (WAM) The UAE has announced that the upcoming National Day celebrations will occur on Monday and Tuesday, December 2-3, 2024, and be officially called Eid Al Etihad. Since January 1, 2022, the UAE observes a Saturday-Sunday weekend "to better align its economy with global markets", meaning that the upcoming Eid Al Etihad will run for 4 consecutive days. Note, however, that in Sharjah the government weekend is from Friday to Sunday, and therefore employees in the public sector will enjoy a five-day long weekend.
Bhutanese 2025 Public Holidays Announced Royal Civil Service Commission of Bhutan (Thimphu) The Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (Division of Support Services) of the Government of Bhutan has released its annual official list of national and regional non-working public holidays in Bhutan for 2025. The aforementioned list, signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Sonam Wangyel, includes most of the Year of the Wood Femal Snake and specifies that "Tshechu holidays for respective Dzongkhags will be confirmed by respective Dzongkhag Administration" (although the Thimphu Dzongkhag Administration of Bhutan's capital already released the 2025 dates for Thimphu Dromchoe and Thimphu Tshechu, late last month). Note that, although all the announced dates seem correct, there is a typo in the Losar (Bhutanese New Year) public holiday, which is labeled as the Wood Female Dragon Year instead of the Wood Female Snake Year (probably a cut and paste error from last year's list). In the past, annual public holidays for Bhutan ran from one Losar Lunar New Year public holiday to the next, as has been the case since the December 2022 announcement of 2023 public holidays in Bhutan, the aforementioned announcement only covers the Gregorian year 2025.
Bhutanese 2025 Public Holidays Announced Royal Civil Service Commission of Bhutan (Thimphu) The Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (Division of Support Services) of the Government of Bhutan has released its annual official list of national and regional non-working public holidays in Bhutan for 2025. The aforementioned list, signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Sonam Wangyel, includes most of the Year of the Wood Femal Snake and specifies that "Tshechu holidays for respective Dzongkhags will be confirmed by respective Dzongkhag Administration" (although the Thimphu Dzongkhag Administration of Bhutan's capital already released the 2025 dates for Thimphu Dromchoe and Thimphu Tshechu, late last month). Note that, although all the announced dates seem correct, there is a typo in the Losar (Bhutanese New Year) public holiday, which is labeled as the Wood Female Dragon Year instead of the Wood Female Snake Year (probably a cut and paste error from last year's list). In the past, annual public holidays for Bhutan ran from one Losar Lunar New Year public holiday to the next, as has been the case since the December 2022 announcement of 2023 public holidays in Bhutan, the aforementioned announcement only covers the Gregorian year 2025.
China Overhauls Public Holidays And Releases 2025 Public Holidays Government Portal of the State Council of China (Beijing) The General Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China has announced the list of 2025 public holidays and postponed working days in China in the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on the Arrangements for Some Holidays in 2025, reference 000014349/ 2024-00094 (国务院办公厅关于2025年部分节假日安排的通知). As usual, some Saturdays and Sundays are designated as working days to compensate the declaration of one-off bridge public holidays. Private companies are allowed to observe other days off, as long as these are in addition the official holiday calendar. The aforementioned announcement is particularly interesting in the details that it provides as to the new rules concerning bridge public holidays and compensatory workdays, as "Approved by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and in accordance with the National Holidays and Memorial Days Regulations revised in November 2024, starting from January 1, 2025" for New Year's Day, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
China Overhauls Public Holidays And Releases 2025 Public Holidays Government Portal of the State Council of China (Beijing) The General Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China has announced the list of 2025 public holidays and postponed working days in China in the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on the Arrangements for Some Holidays in 2025, reference 000014349/ 2024-00094 (国务院办公厅关于2025年部分节假日安排的通知). As usual, some Saturdays and Sundays are designated as working days to compensate the declaration of one-off bridge public holidays. Private companies are allowed to observe other days off, as long as these are in addition the official holiday calendar. The aforementioned announcement is particularly interesting in the details that it provides as to the new rules concerning bridge public holidays and compensatory workdays, as "Approved by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and in accordance with the National Holidays and Memorial Days Regulations revised in November 2024, starting from January 1, 2025" for New Year's Day, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Gabon Declares November 14-15-16 Public Holidays Gouvernement de la République Gabonaise (Libreville) Gabon's ministre du Travail et de la Lutte contre le chômage, Adrien Nguema Mba, has announced that Saturday, November 16, 2024, would be a public holiday on account of the constitutional referendum being held on that date. The minister, referring himself to the décret n°0407/PR/MIS, further added that "les journées du jeudi 14 et du vendredi 15 novembre 2024 seront également fériées, chômées et récupérables sur l'ensemble du territoire national. Cette décision vise à faciliter l'organisation des électeurs et à encourager une large mobilisation".
Gabon Declares November 14-15-16 Public Holidays Gouvernement de la République Gabonaise (Libreville) Gabon's ministre du Travail et de la Lutte contre le chômage, Adrien Nguema Mba, has announced that Saturday, November 16, 2024, would be a public holiday on account of the constitutional referendum being held on that date. The minister, referring himself to the décret n°0407/PR/MIS, further added that "les journées du jeudi 14 et du vendredi 15 novembre 2024 seront également fériées, chômées et récupérables sur l'ensemble du territoire national. Cette décision vise à faciliter l'organisation des électeurs et à encourager une large mobilisation".
Odisha 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Odisha (Bhubaneswar) The Revenue and Disaster Management Department of the Government of India's state of Odisha has released a vide notification containing the annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Odisha for the upcoming calendar year 2025 ("The Government of Odisha is pleased to declare that State Government offices and Revenue and Magisterial Courts (Executive) will remain closed on the holidays listed in Annexure-1 for the calendar year 2025, Saka-Era 1946 and 1947").
Odisha 2025 Public Holidays Announced Government of Odisha (Bhubaneswar) The Revenue and Disaster Management Department of the Government of India's state of Odisha has released a vide notification containing the annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Odisha for the upcoming calendar year 2025 ("The Government of Odisha is pleased to declare that State Government offices and Revenue and Magisterial Courts (Executive) will remain closed on the holidays listed in Annexure-1 for the calendar year 2025, Saka-Era 1946 and 1947").
Russian Duma To Consider December 28 Public Holiday ITAR-TASS (Moscow) Several deputies of the State Duma (the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia) have put forward a legislative initiative to amend the terms of last year's resolution gazetting the list of 2024 public holidays in Russia (О переносе выходных дней в 2024 году), as signed by Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, in the summer of 2023. The aforementioned initiative would cancel the working day of Saturday, December 28, 2024, which had been declared to compensate the declaration of Monday, December 30, 2024, as a one-off public holiday. As per a statement released by the office of Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Grigorenko, "The letter was received by the government office. It will be reviewed in accordance with the established procedure".
Russian Duma To Consider December 28 Public Holiday ITAR-TASS (Moscow) Several deputies of the State Duma (the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia) have put forward a legislative initiative to amend the terms of last year's resolution gazetting the list of 2024 public holidays in Russia (О переносе выходных дней в 2024 году), as signed by Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, in the summer of 2023. The aforementioned initiative would cancel the working day of Saturday, December 28, 2024, which had been declared to compensate the declaration of Monday, December 30, 2024, as a one-off public holiday. As per a statement released by the office of Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Grigorenko, "The letter was received by the government office. It will be reviewed in accordance with the established procedure".
Hungary December 24 Public Holiday In The Spotlight Again Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) A member of the Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom party, Péter Balassa, has once again re-introduced a bill in the Hungarian Parliament to amend Act I of 2012 of the Hungarian Labor Code by declaring Christmas Eve, on December 24, as a new annual Hungarian public holiday. A similar bill was introduced in 2020 and in 2017. Note that December 24, 2024, and December 24, 2025, will be public holidays in Hungary, but they will be compensated by the declaration of Saturday, December 7, 2024, and Saturday, December 13, 2025, respectively, as a regular working days. Indeed, each recent relaunch of the December 24 legislative initiative (2017, 2020, 2024, and 2025) seems to have been spurred by the fact that that year's December 24 working day had been shifted to a nearby Saturday. In related news, the Government of Hungary has issued a decree instituting public sector holidays "from the first working day after December 26 to the day before the first working day of the following year". According to the decree, this administrative break will be introduced every year at the end of December, and will apply to the last working days of the year.
Hungary December 24 Public Holiday In The Spotlight Again Kormányzat Nemzetgazdasági Minisztérium (Budapest) A member of the Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom party, Péter Balassa, has once again re-introduced a bill in the Hungarian Parliament to amend Act I of 2012 of the Hungarian Labor Code by declaring Christmas Eve, on December 24, as a new annual Hungarian public holiday. A similar bill was introduced in 2020 and in 2017. Note that December 24, 2024, and December 24, 2025, will be public holidays in Hungary, but they will be compensated by the declaration of Saturday, December 7, 2024, and Saturday, December 13, 2025, respectively, as a regular working days. Indeed, each recent relaunch of the December 24 legislative initiative (2017, 2020, 2024, and 2025) seems to have been spurred by the fact that that year's December 24 working day had been shifted to a nearby Saturday. In related news, the Government of Hungary has issued a decree instituting public sector holidays "from the first working day after December 26 to the day before the first working day of the following year". According to the decree, this administrative break will be introduced every year at the end of December, and will apply to the last working days of the year.
Myanmar Rebukes Calendar Publishers For Incorrect 2024 and 2025 Public Holidays Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Yangoon) The Ministry of Information of the government of Myanmar has summoned calendar publishers which had published calendars with incorrect public holidays dates in their 2024 and 2025 editions. As per the communique, the calendar publishers were summoned "to record a warning and make them sign an acknowledgement". The incorrect public holidays mentioned are November 14, 2024, as well as June 10, September 29, December 4, and December 29, 2025. There was some confusion about the list of 2024 public holidays, last March, after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Myanmar published an amended list of public holidays for the remainder of the calendar year 2024, with most of the public holidays for March to December 2024 having an additional day added to them. But this error was corrected within a fortnight. In any case, none of the dates mentioned in the communique of the Ministry of Information matches the incorrect dates listed during these 2 weeks of March 2024, apart from November 14, 2024, but the 2024 calendars would have been printed months before that March 2024 erroneous announcement.
Myanmar Rebukes Calendar Publishers For Incorrect 2024 and 2025 Public Holidays Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Yangoon) The Ministry of Information of the government of Myanmar has summoned calendar publishers which had published calendars with incorrect public holidays dates in their 2024 and 2025 editions. As per the communique, the calendar publishers were summoned "to record a warning and make them sign an acknowledgement". The incorrect public holidays mentioned are November 14, 2024, as well as June 10, September 29, December 4, and December 29, 2025. There was some confusion about the list of 2024 public holidays, last March, after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Myanmar published an amended list of public holidays for the remainder of the calendar year 2024, with most of the public holidays for March to December 2024 having an additional day added to them. But this error was corrected within a fortnight. In any case, none of the dates mentioned in the communique of the Ministry of Information matches the incorrect dates listed during these 2 weeks of March 2024, apart from November 14, 2024, but the 2024 calendars would have been printed months before that March 2024 erroneous announcement.
Sri Lanka Post-Election Public Holiday Unlikely The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Colombo) Sri Lanka's Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, has not, so far, declared a public holiday on account of the parliamentary elections being held on Thursday, November 14, 2024. It is often the day after the elections that is declared a one-off public holiday, as was done on Monday, September 23, 2024, following the recent presidential election. The government of Sri Lanka had similarly declared the day after the 2010 presidential election, Wednesday, January 27, 2010, as a one-off public holiday, and it had also declared Friday, April 9, 2010, the day following the then upcoming parliamentary elections, a special non-working public and bank holiday. But, this time, the day after the upcoming parliamentary elections being held on Thursday, November 14, 2024, is already a public holiday on account of the Ill Full Moon Poya Day.
Sri Lanka Post-Election Public Holiday Unlikely The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Colombo) Sri Lanka's Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, has not, so far, declared a public holiday on account of the parliamentary elections being held on Thursday, November 14, 2024. It is often the day after the elections that is declared a one-off public holiday, as was done on Monday, September 23, 2024, following the recent presidential election. The government of Sri Lanka had similarly declared the day after the 2010 presidential election, Wednesday, January 27, 2010, as a one-off public holiday, and it had also declared Friday, April 9, 2010, the day following the then upcoming parliamentary elections, a special non-working public and bank holiday. But, this time, the day after the upcoming parliamentary elections being held on Thursday, November 14, 2024, is already a public holiday on account of the Ill Full Moon Poya Day.
Thailand Extends 2025 and 2026 Public Holidays Thai News Agency (Bangkok) The cabinet of the government of Thailand has approved two additional one-off public holidays for the calendar year 2025, and one additional one-off public holiday for the calendar year 2026. As per deputy government spokesperson, Sasikan Wattanachan, the aforementioned declaration of 3 one-off public holidays is in line with the Paetongtarn administration’s move to designate next year as the year of tourism and sports. Recall that the official list and dates of the annual bank holidays and non-working public holidays in Thailand, for the calendar year 2025, had been released by the Bank of Thailand, last August.
Thailand Extends 2025 and 2026 Public Holidays Thai News Agency (Bangkok) The cabinet of the government of Thailand has approved two additional one-off public holidays for the calendar year 2025, and one additional one-off public holiday for the calendar year 2026. As per deputy government spokesperson, Sasikan Wattanachan, the aforementioned declaration of 3 one-off public holidays is in line with the Paetongtarn administration’s move to designate next year as the year of tourism and sports. Recall that the official list and dates of the annual bank holidays and non-working public holidays in Thailand, for the calendar year 2025, had been released by the Bank of Thailand, last August.
