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Section 01
Holiday basics
Definitions, terminology, and how public holidays actually work.
- What are public holidays?
- Public holidays are official non-working days set by law or government order. They may mark national events, religious occasions, or cultural traditions. Exact observance varies by country, region, and employer.
- Public holiday vs bank holiday — what's the difference?
- In most contexts, a bank holiday is a public holiday. The term is used mainly in the UK and Ireland. The US says federal holiday; Canada often says statutory holiday.
- What is a statutory holiday?
- A statutory holiday is a public holiday set by federal, provincial, or state law. The term is common in Canada and parts of Australia. Pay and substitute-day rules vary by jurisdiction.
- What is a federal holiday in the United States?
- A federal holiday is a US public holiday for federal offices and employees. There are 11 federal holidays in 2026. States and private employers may add or omit observances.
- How are public holidays decided in each country?
- Most countries set public holidays by national law, decree, or official proclamation. Religious and lunar holidays may need annual confirmation. Regional governments often add local holidays.
- Can a public holiday fall on a weekend?
- Yes. A public holiday can fall on a Saturday or Sunday. Some countries add a substitute weekday; others do not. Always check the observed date.
Section 02
How holiday dates work
Fixed dates, moveable feasts, lunar calendars, and observed days.
- Why do some holidays move date each year?
- Some holidays move because they follow lunar or lunisolar calendars. Easter, Eid, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Hanukkah, and Vesak all use non-Gregorian calculations. Islamic holidays drift through the seasons.
- What is a moveable feast?
- A moveable feast is a religious observance whose date changes each year. Easter-linked Christian holidays, Islamic holidays, Jewish holidays, and several Hindu and Buddhist festivals fall into this category.
- How is the date of Easter calculated?
- Western Easter is the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical full moon on or after March 21. It can fall from March 22 to April 25. Orthodox Easter uses Julian-calendar tables.
- Why are Islamic holidays announced only days in advance?
- Islamic holidays are confirmed when the new crescent moon is officially sighted. Moon-sighting committees often announce dates one or two days beforehand. Published dates may shift.
- What does "observed" mean next to a holiday date?
- "Observed" means the legal day off differs from the holiday's calendar date. This usually happens when a holiday falls on a weekend. Check both dates before planning.
- What is the Hijri (Islamic) calendar?
- The Hijri calendar is a lunar Islamic calendar with 12 months of 29 or 30 days. Its year is shorter than the Gregorian year, so Islamic holidays move through the seasons.
Section 03
Specific holidays in 2026
When the major global holidays fall in 2026.
- When is New Year's Day 2026?
- New Year's Day 2026 falls on Thursday, January 1. It is a public holiday in most countries. Some workplaces may bridge Friday, January 2, for a four-day weekend.
- When is Chinese New Year 2026?
- Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17. It begins the Year of the Horse. China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and South Korea observe related holidays.
- When is Ramadan 2026?
- Ramadan 2026 is expected to run from February 17 to March 18, subject to moon sighting. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Eid Al-Fitr marks its end.
- When is Eid Al-Fitr 2026?
- Eid Al-Fitr 2026 is expected around March 20-21, subject to moon sighting. It marks the end of Ramadan. Official dates may shift after national announcements.
- When is Easter 2026?
- Western Easter Sunday 2026 falls on April 5. Good Friday is April 3, and Easter Monday is April 6. Orthodox Easter falls one week later, on April 12.
- When is Eid Al-Adha 2026?
- Eid Al-Adha 2026 is expected around May 27-28, subject to moon sighting. The Day of Arafat is expected on May 26. The holiday coincides with Hajj.
- When is Independence Day (US) 2026?
- US Independence Day 2026 falls on Saturday, July 4. The federal holiday is observed on Friday, July 3. The date marks the United States' 250th anniversary.
- When is Diwali 2026?
- Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8. The main day is Lakshmi Puja. The wider festival spans five days, though public-holiday treatment varies by country.
- When is Thanksgiving 2026?
- US Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26. Canadian Thanksgiving falls earlier, on Monday, October 12. The two holidays have different dates and histories.
- When is Christmas Day 2026?
- Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 25. Boxing Day falls on Saturday, December 26. Some countries observe a substitute weekday on Monday, December 28.
Section 04
Working days & business calendar
How working days are counted and why public holidays matter for business.
- How many working days are there in 2026?
- The 2026 working-day total depends on the country. Public holidays, weekend rules, and observed days change the count. Use the country page for exact monthly totals.
- Do banks open on public holidays?
- Banks usually close on public holidays. ATMs and online banking continue, but branch services and wire transfers may be delayed. Plan ahead for time-sensitive banking.
- Can my employer require me to work on a public holiday?
- In many countries, employers can require holiday work under specific conditions. Premium pay or substitute leave may apply. Exact rules depend on local labour law.
- What is a "long weekend" or "bridge day"?
- A long weekend is a weekend extended by an adjacent public holiday. A bridge day is the workday between a holiday and weekend. Many employees use leave for it.
- Do retail stores open on public holidays?
- Retail opening depends on the country and holiday. Some places restrict trading on major holidays; others allow stores to open. Check local law and store hours.
Section 05
About this calendar
Where the data comes from, how often it's updated, and how to use it.
- Where does the holiday data come from?
- The holiday data comes from official government sources. We use labour ministries, central banks, royal decrees, presidential proclamations, and gazettes. Islamic holidays are updated after official moon-sighting announcements.
- How accurate is the data?
- Confirmed holidays are treated as fixed; uncertain dates are clearly marked. Islamic holidays may shift by one or two days. Report errors through the contact page.
- How often is the calendar updated?
- The 2026 and 2027 calendars are reviewed as governments announce changes. Extra holidays, revised lists, and moon-sighting dates are added after official confirmation.
- Is this website free?
- Yes. TheOnlineCalendar is free to use. You do not need an account, and there are no premium tiers. The site is supported by a small number of ads.
- Which countries are covered?
- The site covers public holidays for more than 190 countries and territories. Coverage spans Europe, MENA, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Africa. School-holiday and working-day coverage is expanding.
- Can I export the calendar to Google Calendar, Outlook, or iCal?
- Yes. Most country pages offer an iCal subscription URL and a one-time .ics download. Subscribed calendars update when TheOnlineCalendar updates a date.
- How do I report an error or missing holiday?
- Use the Contact link in the footer to report an error. Include the country, year, holiday name, and an official source if available. We review every report.
Section 06
Holidays by country
How holidays differ across the world's biggest economies and cultures.
- How many federal holidays does the United States have?
- The United States has 11 federal public holidays in 2026. They include New Year's Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. States may add separate holidays.
- How many bank holidays does the UK have?
- England and Wales observe 8 bank holidays in 2026. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different lists. The main differences are January 2, St Andrew's Day, St Patrick's Day, and Orangemen's Day.
- What are the public holidays in Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia observes four main public-holiday periods in 2026. They are Founding Day, Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, and Saudi National Day. Eid dates depend on moon sighting.
- How many public holidays does the UAE have?
- The UAE observes about 12 to 14 public-holiday days in 2026. The exact total depends on Islamic moon-sighting announcements. Eid breaks are usually the longest.
- What are Germany's public holidays in 2026?
- Germany has 9 nationwide public holidays in 2026. Several states add regional holidays. Bavaria has more public holidays than Berlin because it observes several Catholic feast days.
- What are India's national holidays?
- India has three national holidays: Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. The central government also lists gazetted holidays, while states add regional observances.
- How many public holidays does Japan have?
- Japan observes 16 national public holidays in 2026. The late-April and early-May holidays form Golden Week, one of Japan's busiest domestic travel periods.
- What are the public holidays in Australia?
- Australia has national and state-level public holidays. Core dates include New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas, and Boxing Day. States add more.
Section 07
School holidays & term dates
When schools close, half-terms, and summer holiday lengths around the world.
- When are school holidays in 2026?
- School holidays in 2026 depend on the country, region, and district. Most calendars include winter, spring or Easter, and summer breaks. Check the country page for dates.
- How long is summer break in different countries?
- Summer break length varies by country. US schools often take 10 to 12 weeks, while UK and German schools take about 6. Southern Hemisphere breaks fall around December and January.
- When does the school year start in different countries?
- School-year start dates vary widely by region. The US and UK usually start around late August or September. Japan starts in April; Australia and New Zealand start in January.
- What is half-term and when does it fall?
- Half-term is a short school break in the middle of a term. It is common in the UK, Ireland, and parts of Europe. Workplaces usually remain open.
- Are school holidays the same as public holidays?
- No. School holidays and public holidays are different calendars. Public holidays close offices and businesses; school holidays close schools for longer breaks. Some dates overlap.
Section 08
Long weekends & vacation planning
How to maximize time off, identify bridge days, and plan around the calendar.
- How can I maximize my vacation days in 2026?
- Use public holidays near weekends to turn one leave day into a longer break. Tuesday and Thursday holidays create the best bridge-day opportunities. Check country pages for exact dates.
- What is a bridge day?
- A bridge day is a workday between a public holiday and a weekend. Employees often take it as leave to create a longer break. Some governments declare official bridge days.
- Which countries have the most public holidays?
- Several Asian and Latin American countries sit near the top for public-holiday counts. Cambodia, Iran, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Japan, and Thailand are high-count examples. Counts vary by region.
- Which months have the most public holidays globally?
- May and December often have the densest global holiday calendars. May includes Labour Day and many Christian moveable feasts. December includes Christmas, Boxing Day, and year-end closures.
- When are the longest weekends in 2026?
- The longest 2026 breaks cluster around Eid, Golden Week, Easter, and Christmas-New Year. Exact length depends on country rules, weekends, and bridge days. Use country pages for ranked weekends.
- Why does my country observe holidays on different dates than my neighbour's?
- Holiday dates differ because each country sets its own legal and religious calendar. Neighbouring countries may follow different laws, moon-sighting decisions, or regional traditions.
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190+ countries with full public-holiday calendars for 2026 and 2027.
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