National holidays, bank holidays, and religious observances for countries worldwide
Public holidays, also known as national holidays, bank holidays, or official holidays, are days designated by governments on which most businesses, schools, and government offices are closed. These days typically commemorate significant national events, religious observances, or cultural traditions. The number and specific dates of public holidays vary significantly from country to country — some nations observe as few as 6 public holidays per year, while others observe more than 20.
Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr (marking the end of Ramadan), Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice), and Eid Milad-un-Nabi (the Prophet's Birthday) are based on the Islamic lunar calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar, Islamic holidays shift earlier each year in relation to the Gregorian calendar. The exact dates of Islamic holidays are confirmed by moon sighting and may vary by one to two days between countries. Dates listed on this page are approximate and based on astronomical calculations for 2026.
Pakistan observes both secular national holidays and Islamic religious holidays. Key national holidays include Pakistan Day on March 23 (commemorating the Lahore Resolution of 1940), Independence Day on August 14, Labour Day on May 1, and Quaid-e-Azam Day on December 25 which also coincides with Christmas. Religious holidays observed nationally include Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Eid Milad-un-Nabi, and Kashmir Solidarity Day. Banks and government offices are closed on all gazetted public holidays.
The United States has 11 federal public holidays established by Congress. These apply to federal employees and the District of Columbia. Individual states may also declare additional holidays. The most significant US holidays include Independence Day on July 4, Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, Christmas Day on December 25, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Since 2021, Juneteenth (June 19) is also a federal holiday.
In the United Kingdom, public holidays are called Bank Holidays. England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each have slightly different sets of bank holidays. Common UK bank holidays include New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Scotland observes a different set of bank holidays including St. Andrew's Day on November 30.
Most national holidays fall on fixed calendar dates each year, such as Independence Day in the USA always falling on July 4. However, some holidays move to maintain a specific day of the week — for example, the US Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November, and the UK's bank holidays on Mondays ensure workers get a consistent day off. When a fixed holiday falls on a weekend, many countries observe it on the nearest weekday, a practice known as "substitution" or "in lieu" holidays.