What is a Public Holidays Calendar?
A Public Holidays Calendar is a comprehensive reference tool that displays official public holidays, national celebrations, and observances for countries around the world. Our free online calendar provides accurate holiday information for over 100 countries, helping individuals, businesses, and travelers plan ahead. Whether you need to check bank holidays, national days, religious festivals, or regional observances, our tool provides complete listings with dates, day of week, and holiday types for easy reference and planning.
How to Use the Public Holidays Tool
- Select Country: Choose from 100+ countries in the dropdown menu, with popular countries listed first
- Choose Year: Select the year you want to view holidays for (current year to 2 years ahead)
- Auto-Detect Location: Click "My Location" to automatically select your country based on IP address
- View Results: See total holidays, upcoming celebrations, and complete yearly listing
- Filter by Month: Use month tabs to view holidays for specific months
- Check Next Holiday: See countdown to the next upcoming public holiday in selected country
Why Check Public Holidays?
Travel Planning: Know holiday dates when booking international trips to avoid peak travel times or plan around local celebrations for better experiences.
Business Operations: International businesses need holiday calendars to schedule meetings, deadlines, and shipments around global observances when offices are closed.
Event Scheduling: Avoid scheduling important events, launches, or campaigns on national holidays when participation may be low.
Cultural Awareness: Understanding public holidays helps appreciate different cultures and shows respect in international communications.
Workforce Management: HR departments and managers use holiday calendars for leave planning, payroll processing, and staffing schedules.
Stock Market Trading: Financial markets close on public holidays - traders need this information for planning trades and managing portfolios.
Types of Public Holidays
National Holidays: Celebrated nationwide with government offices, banks, and many businesses closed. Examples include Independence Day, National Day, Republic Day.
Religious Holidays: Based on religious observances like Christmas, Diwali, Eid, Easter. Some are national holidays while others are observed regionally.
Cultural Celebrations: Festivals celebrating heritage, traditions, or historical events specific to regions or communities within countries.
Bank Holidays: Days when banks and financial institutions are closed. May differ from general public holidays in some countries.
Regional Holidays: Observed in specific states, provinces, or territories but not nationwide. Common in federal countries like USA, India, Canada.
Popular Countries and Their Major Holidays
United States: Independence Day (July 4), Thanksgiving (4th Thursday November), Christmas, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day.
India: Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), Diwali, Holi, Gandhi Jayanti, plus numerous state-specific holidays.
United Kingdom: Christmas, New Year, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday.
Canada: Canada Day (July 1), Victoria Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, plus provincial holidays like Family Day.
Australia: Australia Day (January 26), ANZAC Day, Queen's Birthday, Christmas, plus state-specific holidays.
Understanding Holiday Data
Our tool uses the Nager.Date API which provides official public holiday data from government sources worldwide. Holiday information includes the date, day of week, holiday name, and whether it's a nationwide or local observance. Data is updated regularly to reflect any government announcements or changes to holiday calendars. For countries with lunar calendar holidays (like Islamic or Hindu festivals), dates are provided for the current Gregorian calendar year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the holiday information?
Holiday data is sourced from official government calendars and updated regularly. However, always verify with local authorities for critical planning as governments occasionally change holiday dates.
Are regional holidays included?
The tool primarily shows national public holidays. Some regional holidays are included for major federal countries, but check local calendars for complete regional observances.
Can I see holidays for future years?
Yes, you can view holidays up to 2 years in advance. Future dates for fixed holidays are accurate, while moveable holidays (like Easter) are calculated automatically.
Why do some countries have more holidays than others?
The number of public holidays varies significantly by country based on culture, religion, history, and government policy. It typically ranges from 7-8 (like UK) to 20+ (like India, Japan).
Do businesses close on all public holidays?
Not always. While government offices typically close, private businesses may remain open. Check local practices and labor laws for specific industries and locations.
Are school holidays the same as public holidays?
Not necessarily. School calendars often include additional breaks (spring break, summer vacation) that aren't public holidays. Check education department calendars separately.
Start Planning with Holiday Information
Access comprehensive public holiday information for over 100 countries worldwide. Perfect for travelers, businesses, HR departments, and anyone who needs to plan around international celebrations. Select your country, view upcoming holidays, and get complete yearly listings instantly. No registration required - start checking public holidays now!