Maldives 2026 Public Holidays

New Year's Day

1 January. In many countries the day off moves to the following Monday when it falls on a weekend.

The first day of the Gregorian calendar year, and the most widely observed public holiday in the world — a day off in almost every country that uses the Gregorian calendar, regardless of religion. Several countries extend the break to 2 January, and some in East Asia keep both the Gregorian and a separate lunar new year.

Ramadan Start

1 Ramadan on the Hijri calendar. The Gregorian date shifts about eleven days earlier each year and is confirmed by moon sighting shortly before.

The start of the month of fasting. Rarely a day off in itself, but across the Muslim world it shortens working hours for the month that follows, and in several Gulf states that reduction is written into law.

Labor Day

1 May in most countries; the first Monday of September in the United States and Canada.

The workers' holiday. Almost everywhere it falls on 1 May; in the United States and Canada it was deliberately placed in September to avoid the associations of May Day.

Muharram

1 Muharram — the Islamic new year.

The first day of the Islamic year. A public holiday in most Muslim-majority countries, though a quiet one — it is a day of remembrance rather than celebration.

Independence Day

The anniversary of the country's independence — a different date in every country.

The national day of a country that gained independence from another state, and typically its most important secular holiday. Over a hundred countries observe one, on dates ranging across the whole calendar.

Independence Day Holiday

An additional day off attached to Independence Day.

Where the national day is treated as a multi-day break, the additional days appear under this name.

National Day

Varies by country — a founding, unification, or constitutional anniversary.

The principal patriotic holiday of a country that does not frame its national day as independence — a founding, unification, revolution or monarch's day depending on the state.

Milad un Nabi

12 Rabi' al-Awwal — 17 Rabi' al-Awwal in the Shia tradition.

Mawlid, marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. A public holiday across most of the Muslim world, though Saudi Arabia and Qatar do not observe it.

Victory Day

8 or 9 May in Europe; other dates elsewhere.

Marks the end of the Second World War in Europe. Western Europe keeps 8 May; Russia and most post-Soviet states keep 9 May, because the surrender took effect after midnight Moscow time.

Republic Day

The anniversary of the founding of the republic — varies by country.

Marks the adoption of a republican constitution or the end of a monarchy. Observed in India, Italy, Turkey, Portugal and a number of other states.