Embedded Files
Found below is a list of the world's various public and national holidays. These national, or in some cases regional holidays, come under many titles including Constitution Day, Democracy Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National Day, Republic Day, Sovereignty Day and Victory Day.
Shown first is a list of patriot holidays followed by a list of traditional public, non religious holidays which go by various other names. These lists are then followed by a list of New Year holiday dates of countries which do not use the Gregorian Calendar, that is countries which do not celebrate New Year's Day on the first of January.
For a list of country's Patron Saint days visit our page - Patron Saints of Countries.
For a list of the world’s major religious holidays visit our page - The Worlds Classic Religions.
PATRIOT HOLIDAYS
(In chronological order)
JANUARY
Constitution Day - Italy - January 1.
Independence Day - Brunei - January 1.
Independence Day - Cameroon - January 1.
Independence Day - Czech Republic - January 1.
Independence Day - Haiti - January 1.
Independence Day - Republic of Samoa - January 1. (Official historic date of independence)
Independence Day - Sudan - January 1.
Liberation Day - Cuba - January 1.
Republic Day - Taiwan - January 1.
Independence Day - Myanmar - January 4.
Victory Day - Cambodia - January 7.
Commonwealth Day - Northern Mariana Islands - January 8.
Republic Day - Republika Srpska - January 9.
Republic Day - Albania - January 11.
National Day - Menorca - January 17.
Day of Unity - Ukraine - January 22.
Bounty Day - Pitcairn Island (UK) - January 23.
Australia Day - Australia - January 26.
Liberation Day - Uganda - January 26.
Republic Day - India - January 26.
Independence Day - Nauru - January 31.
FEBRUARY
Constitution Day - Mexico - The first Monday to fall between February 1st & February 7th.
Constitution Day - Philippines - February 2.
Independence Day - Sri Lanka - February 4.
Unity Day - Burundi - February 5.
National Sami Day - Finland, Norway, Russia & Sweden - February 6.
Waitangi Day - New Zealand - February 6.
Independence Day - Grenada - February 7.
Foundation Day - Japan - February 11.
National Day - Iran - February 11.
Georgia Day - Georgia - February 12.
Union Day - Myanmar - February 12.
Liberation Day - Afghanistan - February 15.
National Day - Serbia - February 15.
Kim Jong Il's (Supreme Leader) Birthday - North Korea - February 16.
Statehood Day - Lithuania - 16.
independence Day - Kosovo - February 17.
Revolution Day - Libya - February 17.
Independence Day - Gambia - February 18.
Democracy Day - Nepal - February 19. (First of two democracy days)
Independence Day - Saint Lucia - February 22.
National Day - Brunei - February 23.
Independence Day - Estonia - February 24.
Flag Day - Mexico - February 24.
Independence Day - Kuwait - February 25.
Revolution Day - Suriname - February 25.
Liberation Day - Kuwait - February 26.
National Day - Dominican Republic - February 27.
MARCH
Independence Day - Bosnia & Herzogovina - March 1.
Liberation Day - Bulgaria - March 3.
Independence Day - Ghana - March 6.
Foundation Day - Norfolk Island (Australia) - March 6.
Independence Day - Lithuania - March 11.
Moshoeshoe Day - Lesotho - March 11.
Independence Day - Mauritius - March 12.
Constitution Day - Andorra - March 14.
Constitution Day - Belarus - March 15.
National Day - Hungary - March 15. (First of two national days)
St Patrick's Day - Republic of Ireland - March 17.
Flag Day - Aruba - March 18.
Independence Day - Tunisia - March 20.
Independence Day - Namibia - March 21.
Republic Day - Pakistan - March 23.
Independence Day - Greece - March 25.
Independence Day - Bangladesh - March 26.
Prince Kuhio Day - Hawaii (USA) - March 26.
Shouter Baptist Liberation Day - Trinidad & Tobago - March 30.
Transfer Day - US Virgin Islands - March 31.
APRIL
Islamic Republic Day - Iran - April 1.
Independence Day - Senegal - April 4.
Constitution Day - Kosovo - April 9.
Independence Day - Georgia - April 9.
Day of Unity - Georgia - April 9.
National Day - Israel - Held Between April 14 and May 14.
Kim Il Sung's Birthday - North Korea - April 15.
Flag Day - American Samoa - April 17.
Independence Day - Syria - April 17.
Independence Day - Zimbabwe - April 18.
National Sovereignty Day - Turkey - April 23.
Democracy Day - Nepal - April 24. (Second of two democracy days)
Independence Day - Republic of Ireland - April 24. (Not a public holiday)
Republic Day - Gambia - April 24.
Anzac Day - Australia - April 25.
Anzac Day - New Zealand - April 25.
Flag Day - Faroe Islands - April 25.
Flag Day - Swaziland - April 25.
Freedom Day - Portugal - April 25.
Liberation Day - South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (UK) - April 25.
Liberation Day - Italy - 25 April.
Union Day - Tanzania - April 26.
Freedom Day - South Africa - April 27.
King's Day - Netherlands & Aruba, Curaçao & Sint Maarten - April 27.
Independence Day - Togo - April 27.
Independence Day - Sierra Leone - April 27.
National Day - Sardinia - April 28.
Sovereignty Day - Japan - April 28.
Showa Day - Japan - April 29.
Reunification Day - Vietnam - April 30.
MAY
Constitution Day - Argentina - May 1.
Constitution Day - Latvia - May 1.
Constitution Day - Marshall Islands - May 1.
Lei Day - Hawaii - May 1.
Flag Day - Poland - May 2.
Constitution Day - Poland - May 3.
Constitution Memorial Day - Japan - May 3.
Cassinga Day - Namibia - May 4.
Independence Day - Latvia - May 4.
Cinquo de Mayo - Mexico - May 5.
Cinquo de Mayo - USA - May 5.
Liberation Day - Denmark - May 5.
Liberation Day - Netherlands - May 5.
Constitution Day - Kyrgyzstan - May 5.
Liberation Day - Channel Islands (UK) - May 9.
Victory Day - Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan. - May 9.
Constitution Day - Federated States of Micronesia - May 10.
Independence Day - Romania - May 10.
Independence Day - Paraguay - May 14. (First of two independence days)
Unification Day - Liberia - May 14.
Independence Day - Paraguay - May 15. (Second of two independence days)
Republic Day - Lithuania - May 15.
National Day - South Sudan - May 16.
Constitution Day - Nauru - May 17.
Liberation Day - Congo - May 17.
Independence Day - Norway - May 17.
Victory Day - Canada - May 18.
National Day - Cameroon - May 20.
Independence Day - Cuba - May 20.
Independence Day - East Timor - May 20.
Independence Day - Montenegro - May 21.
National Sovereignty Day - Haiti - May 22.
National Day of Unity - Yemen - May 22.
Republic Day - Sri Lanka - May 22.
Constitution Day - Germany - May 23.
Commonwealth Day - Belize - May 24.
Independence Day - Eritrea - May 24.
Independence Day - Jordan - May 25.
Queen's Birthday - Canada - First Monday before May 25.
Bermuda Day - Bermuda - May 26.
Independence Day - Georgia - May 26.
Independence Day - Guyana - May 26.
Flag Day - Philippines - May 28.
National Day - Ethiopia - May 28.
Republic Day - Armenia - May 28
Republic Day - Azerbaijan - May 28.
Republic Day - Nepal - May 28.
Democracy Day - Nigeria - May 29.
Canary Islands Day - Canary Islands (Spain) - May 30.
JUNE
Independence Day - Samoa - June 1. (Official date is January 1st although celebrations are held on this date)
National Day - Italy - June 2.
Independence Day - Belarus - July 3.
Flag Day - Estonia - June 4.
Independence Day - Tonga - June 4.
Day of Unity - Hungary - June 4.
Constitution Day - Denmark & Faroe Islands - June 5.
Liberation Day - Seychelles - June 5.
National Day - Sweden - June 6.
Queen's Birthday - New Zealand - First Monday in June.
Queen's Birthday - Australia - Second Monday in June.
Flag Day - Peru - June 7.
Sette Giugno - Malta - June 7.
Bounty Day - Norfolk Island (Australia) - June 8.
National Day - Portugal - June 10.
Kamehameha Day - Hawaii (USA) - June 11.
Independence Day - Philippines - June 12.
Russia Day - Russia - June 12.
Freedom Day - Malawi - June 14.
Liberation Day - Falkland Islands (UK) - June 14.
National Day - Iceland - June 17.
Salvation Day - Azerbaijan - June 17.
National Day - Seychelles - June 18.
Independence Day - Hungary - June 19.
Flag Day - Argentina - June 20.
National Day - Greenland (Denmark) - June 21.
Victory Day - Estonia - June 23.
National Day - Luxembourg - June 23.
Independence Day - Mozambique - June 25.
Statehood Day - Slovenia - June 25.
Flag Day - Romania - June 26.
Independence Day - Madagascar - June 26.
Independence Day - Somalia - June 26.
Day of Unity - Tajikistan - June 27.
Independence Day - Djibouti - June 27.
Constitution Day - Ukraine - June 28.
Independence Day - Seychelles - June 29.
Independence Day - Democratic Republic of Congo - June 30.
Revolution Day - Sudan - June 30.
JULY
Canada Day - Canada. - July 1.
Independence Day - Burundi - July 1.
Independence Day - Rwanda - July 1.
Independence Day - Somalia - July 1.
Independence Day - Belarus - July 3.
Independence Day - U.S.A - July 4.
Independence Day - Algeria - July 5.
Independence Day - Cape Verde - July 5.
Tynwald Day - Isle of Man - July 5.
Independence Day - Venezuela - July 5.
Independence Day - Comoros - July 6
Independence Day - Malawi - July 6.
Independence Day - Solomon Islands - July 7.
Independence Day. - Argentina - July 9.
Constitution Day - Palau - July 9.
Independence Day - South Sudan - July 9.
Independence Day - Bahamas - July 10.
Independence Day - Mongolia - July 11. (First of two Independence days)
Independence Day - Sao Tome & Principe - July 12.
Orangeman's Day - Northern Ireland - July 12.
Independence Day - Kiribati - July 12.
National Day / Bastille Day - France - July 14.
Revolution Day - Iraq - July 17.
Independence Day - Slovakia - July 17.
Independence Day - Colombia - July 20.
Independence Day - Belgium - July 21.
Republic Day - Tunisia - July 25.
Independence Day - Liberia - July 26.
Independence Day - Maldives - July 26.
Independence Day - Peru - July 28.
Independence Day - Vanuatu - July 30.
AUGUST
Independence Day - Benin - August 1.
National Day - Switzerland - August 1.
Republic Day - Macedonia - August 2.
Independence Day - Niger - August 3.
Constitution Day - Cook Islands - August 4.
Independence Day - Burkina Faso - August 5.
Independence Day - Bolivia - August 6.
Independence Day - Jamaica - August 6.
Independence Day - Ivory Coast - August 7.
National Day - Singapore - August 9.
Independence Day - Ecuador - August 10.
Independence Day - Chad - August 11.
Independence Day - Central African Republic - August 13.
Independence Day - Pakistan - August 14.
Independence Day - Bahrain - August 15.
Independence Day - Republic of Congo - August - 15.
Liberation Day - South Korea - August 15.
Independence Day - India - August 15.
Independence Day - Gabon - August 17.
Independence Day - Indonesia - August 17.
Independence Day - Afghanistan. - August 19.
Restoration of Sovereignty Day - Estonia - August 20.
Independence Day - Kyrgyzstan - August 21.
Independence Day - Ukraine - August 24.
National Flag Day - Liberia - August 24.
Independence Day - Uruguay - August 25.
Independence Day - Moldova - August 27.
National Day - Kazakhstan - August 30.
Independence Day - Kyrgyzstan - August 31.
Independence Day - Malaysia - August 31.
Independence Day - Trinidad & Tobago - August 31.
SEPTEMBER
Constitution Day - Slovakia - September 1.
Independence Day - Uzbekistan - September 1.
National Day - Libya - September 1.
National Day - Vietnam - September 2.
Feast of Sant Marinus - San Marino - September 3.
Independence Day - Swaziland - September 6.
Independence Day - Brazil - September 7.
Victory Day - Mozambique - September 7.
National Day - Andorra - September 8.
Independence Day - Tajikistan - September 9.
St George Caye Day - Belize - September 10.
National Day - Gibraltar (UK) - September 10.
National Day - Cape Verde - September 12.
Independence Day - Costa Rica - September 15.
Independence Day - El Salvador - September 15.
Independence Day - Guatemala - September 15.
Independence Day - Honduras - September 15.
Independence Day - Nicaragua - September 15.
Independence Day - Mexico - September 16.
Independence Day - Papua New Guinea - September 16.
Malaysia Day - Malaysia - September 16.
Independence Day - Chile - September 18.
Independence Day - St Kitts & Nevis - September 19.
Independence Day - Armenia - September 21.
Independence Day - Belize - September 21.
Independence Day - Malta - September 21.
Independence Day - Bulgaria - September 22.
Independence Day - Mali - September 22.
Constitution Day - Cambodia - September 24.
Heritage / Braai Day - South Africa - September 24.
Revolution Day - Mozambique - September 25.
Independence Day - Botswana - September 30.
OCTOBER
National Day - China - October 1.
Independence Day - Cyprus - October 1.
Independence Day - Nigeria - October 1.
Independence Day - Palau - October 1.
Tuvalu Day - Tuvalu - October 1. (First of two national days)
Independence Day - Guinea - October 2.
Tuvalu Day - Tuvalu - October 2 - (Second of two national days)
Day of Unity - Germany. - October 3.
Independence Day - Iraq - October 3.
Independence Day - Lesotho - October 4.
Independence Day - Croatia - October 8.
Fiji Day - Fiji - October 10.
Independence Day - Equatorial Guinea - October 12.
National Day - Spain - October 12.
Independence Day - Azerbaijan - October 18.
Independence Day - Laos - October 22.
Liberation Day - Libya - October 23.
National Day - Hungary - October 23. (Second of two national days)
Independence Day - Zambia - October 24.
National Day - Austria. - October 26.
Independence Day - St Vincent & The Grenadines - October 27.
Independence Day - Turkmenistan - October 27. (First of two independence days)
Independence Day - Turkmenistan - October 28. (Second of two independence days)
Republic Day -Turkey - October 29.
NOVEMBER
Revolution Day - Algeria - November 1.
Independence Day - Antigua & Barbuda - November 1.
Independence Day - Dominica - November 3.
Independence Day - Panama - November 3.
Revolution Day - Belarus - November 3.
National Day - Tonga - November 4.
Flag Day - Azerbaijan - November 9.
Independence Day - Cambodia - November 9.
Independence Day - Angola - November 11.
Independence Day - Poland - November 11.
Declaration Of Sovereignty Day - Estonia - November 16.
Independence Day - Latvia - November 18.
Independence Day - Morocco - November 18.
Liberation Day - Mali - November 19.
Independence Day - Monaco. - November 19.
Independence Day - Lebanon - November 22.
National Day - Suriname - November 25.
Republic Day - Bosnia & Herzegovina - November 25.
Republic Day - Mongolia - November 26.
Independence Day - Albania - November 28.
Independence Day - Mauritania - November 28.
Independence Day - Panama - November 28.
Republic Day - Burundi - November 28.
Republic Day - Chad - November 28.
Liberation Day - Albania - November 29.
Unity Day - Vanuatu - November 29.
Independence Day - Barbados - November 30.
National Day - Benin - November 30.
St Andrew's Day - Scotland (UK) - November 30.
Independence Day - Yemen - November 30.
DECEMBER
Independence Day - Dominican Republic - December 1.
Independence Day - Iceland - December 1.
Independence Day - Portugal - December 1.
National Day - Romania - December 1.
National Day - Laos - December 2.
National Day - United Arab Emirates - December 2.
Independence Day - Micronesia - December 3.
King George Tupou I's Birthday - Tonga - December 4.
National Day - Thailand - December 5.
Constitution Day - Spain - December 6.
Independence Day - Finland.- December 6.
Constitution Day - Romania - December 8.
Constitution Day - Uzbekistan - December 8.
Independence Day - Tanzania - December 9.
Constitution Day - Thailand - December 10.
Republic Day - Burkina Faso - December 11.
Independence Day - South Africa - December 11.
Independence Day - Kenya - December 12.
Republic Day - Malta - December 13.
Freedom Day - Bangladesh - December 16.
National Day - Bahrain - December 16.
Independence Day - Kazakhstan - December 16.
Accession Day - Bahrain - December 17.
National Day - Bhutan - December 17.
Republic Day - Niger - December 18.
National Day - Qatar - December 18.
Sao Tome Day - Sao Tome & Principe - December 21.
Unity Day - Zimbabwe - December 22.
Independence Day - Libya - December 24.
Independence Day - Slovenia - December 26.
Constitution Day - North Korea - December 27.
Republic Day - South Sudan - December 28.
Independence Day - Mongolia - December 29. (Second of two independence days)
Rizal Day - Philippines - December 30.
TRADITIONAL (non religious) PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Found below is a list of the world's most traditional, non religious national holidays.
ARMISTICE DAY
Armistice Day Is observed worldwide in memory of our war dead on November the 11th, but not generally as a public holiday. However one country does remember it as a national holiday and that is Belgium.
BOXING DAY
In the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Nigeria and South Africa the 26th of December, also known as St Stephen's Day in Catholic and Christian Orthodox countries, is known as Boxing Day and is celebrated as a traditional public holiday which has no religious affiliations.
Boxing Day celebrates the English tradition of masters giving presents to their servants, known as a Christmas Box, and in some cases where the masters would also treat their servants to a large dinner. At this feast their roles would be reversed with the masters becoming servants for the day where they would wait on their servants at the dining table.
COLOMBUS DAY
Colombus Day celebrates the day of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas. The day is celebrated on October the 12th and is recognised as a public holiday in the American countries of Belize, Bahamas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Venezuela and the USA, the two European countries of Italy and Spain and as Thanksgiving Day in Canada.
LABOUR DAY
Labour Day celebrations are held on different days around the world.
AUSTRALIA
Western Australia - First Monday in March
Victoria & Tasmania - Second Monday in March.
Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia - First Monday in October.
Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Cuba, Egypt, India, Jamaica, Lebanon, Malaysia, Norway,Palestine, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria & Tanzania - May 1st
Canada & USA - First Monday in September
Isle of Man - First Monday in May
Japan - November 23rd (Where it is also known as Thanksgiving)
Mozambique - May 1 (Where it is known as Workers Day).
New Zealand - Fourth Monday in October
Trinidad & Tobago - June 19th.
MAY DAY
May Day, pictured above, is celebrated on the first day of the month of May and is an Anglo - Saxon, pre Christian holiday which celebrates the coming of Summer. The festival, which includes the crowning of the May Queen and traditional May Pole dancing, has been known by many names over the years including Beltaine, Walpurgis Night and Mugwort Day.
May Day is celebrated as a pagan, public holiday in Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Romania, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The first of May is also a public holiday in the American state of Hawaii where similar festivities to the European May Day celebrations are held to mark the state's annual Lei Day.
THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is a major public holiday held in eight countries around the world, these countries are;
Canada - October 12th.
Grenada - October 25th.
Japan - November 23rd. (This day is also known as Labour Day)
Liberia - First Thursday in November.
Norfolk Island (Australia) - Last Wednesday in November.
Palau - Last Thursday in November.
Saint Lucia - First Monday in October.
United States and it's overseas territories of Guam & Puerto Rico - Last Thursday in November.
NON GREGORIAN CALENDAR NEW YEAR DATES
(In alphabetical order of country)
Found below is a list of countries which do not use the Gregorian calendar. Because of this their New Year is celebrated on a different day to that of January the first. They are;
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan uses the solar Hajri calendar which celebrates New Year (Nawruz) on the day of the Spring Equinox, which falls in the Northern Hemisphere on the 20th of March.
ARMENIA
Armenia uses the Bahai calendar therefore the Armenian New Year (Nawruz) is celebrated on the 21st of March.
AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijan uses the Bahai calendar therefore the Azeri New Year (Nowruz) is celebrated on the 21st of March.
BALI
Bali uses the Hindu Saka calendar therefore the Balinese New Year (Nyepi) is observed by a day of silence held between six am on the 16th of March and six am on the 17th of March.
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh uses a solar calendar known as the Bengali calendar therefore the Bangladeshi New Year (Pohela Boishakh) is celebrated on the 14th of April.
BHUTAN
Bhutan uses the lunar solar calendar therefore the Bhutanese New Year (Lhosar) is celebrated at the same time as Chinese New Year, see below.
BRUNEI
Brunei uses the Gregorian calendar for it's official New Year date but as it is a devout Muslim country it also uses the Islamic lunar or Hajri calendar which refers to New Year as Al Hajra, which is observed for twenty nine days, which is held on a different date every year.
Al Hajra in 2017 will be held between September 21st and October 19th.
CAMBODIA
Cambodia uses the solar calendar known as the Khmer Buddhist calendar and their New Year celebration (Chaul Chnam Thmey) is held between the 13th and 16th of April.
CHINA
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year (Yuan Tin) is celebrated between January the 17th and February the 19th. The celebrations run from the last day of the last month of the lunar solar calendar and concludes with the Lantern Festival which takes place on the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar solar calendar.
The holiday is celebrated as a national holiday in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. The first day of the new year and the Lantern Festival may also be celebrated in major towns and cities around the world which have a large Chinese population or China Towns, but will not be treated as a national holiday in those countries.
Traditionally Chinese New Year - The Festival of the Nian - runs from the last day of the year - Zhengyue - to the fifteenth day of the new year - Layue.
These dates are determined by the Chinese lunar solar calendar, which uses a twelve year cycle.
The Chinese greeting for Happy New Year is Gong Hoy Fat Choi.
The legend of Chinese New Year is a story about a mythical beast called the Nian who would visit Chinese villages and eat their crops and animals. One day the beast came but was frightened away by a child wearing a red coat.
Subsequently the Chinese hang red lanterns and set off fire crackers in order to frighten the beast away and prepare large amounts of food in order to pacify the beast. Red has gone on to signify good luck, which is why the Chinese also give money in red envelopes at new year.
The naming of the twelve different years after animals comes from the Legend of the Great Race, where twelve animals had to race across a river in order to get to a meeting with the Jade Emperor, also known as the Ruler of Heaven.
Subsequently the Chinese have gone on to use the order of these animals arriving at their meeting to signify the name of each year of a twelve year cycle. The order of the animal years is the order in which each animal arrived at the meeting, with the rat winning the race and the pig coming in last.
English - Chinese
Rat - Zǐshi
Ox - Chǒushi
Tiger - Yínshi
Rabbit - Mǎoshi
Dragon - Chénshi
Snake - Sìshi
Horse - Wǔshi
Goat - Wèishi
Monkey - Shenshi
Rooster - Yǒushi
Dog - Xūshi
Pig - Hàishi
Chinese New Year in 2017 (the Year of the Rooster) will begin on January the 28th.
Chinese New Year in 2018 (the Year of the Dog) will begin on February the 16th.
EGYPT
Egypt uses two changing calendars, the Islamic lunar calendar known as Al Hajri and the solar Coptic or Amharic Calendar, although the country actually celebrates three new year dates as it also observes the Gregorian New Year for business purposes.
Therefore the Islamic New Year (Al Hajra), which is observed for twenty nine days, is celebrated on different days every year, the Coptic or Amharic New Year (Thout) is celebrated during September or October and the Gregorian New Year is celebrated on January the 1st.
In 2017 Al Hajra will be held between September 21st and October 19th.
In 2017 Thout / Coptic New Year / Amharic New Year will be held on the 11th of September.
ERITREA
Eritrea uses a changing solar calendar known as the Amharic or Coptic Calendar. New Year's Day, which is known as El Nayrouz or Thout, is held between September the 11th and October the 10th.
In 2017 El Nayrouz / Thout / Coptic New Year will be held on the 11th of September.
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia uses a changing solar calendar known as the Amharic or Coptic Calendar. New Year's Day, which is known as El Nayrouz or Thout, is held between September the 11th and October the 10th.
In 2017 El Nayrouz / Thout / Coptic New Year will be held on the 11th of September.
INDIA
Officially New Year's Day in India is held on January the first although different states also celebrate New Year at different times of the year due to their use of the Sikh, tropical solar Nanakshahi calendar and the regional, Hindu luni sideral calendars such as the Saka and Bakram Sambat where New Year is held on various days during the Spring months of March and April.
Where there are large Theravada Buddhist communities in India New Year is celebrated on the first day of the first full moon in January and where there are large Mahayana Buddhist communities New Year is celebrated on the first day after the first full moon in April.
India's followers of the Jain religion use their own lunar solar calendar known as the Panchang. Their New Year celebrations, known as the Vira Nirvana Samvat, is a changing holiday which occurs at the same time as the country's largest Hindu festival of Divali or Festival of Lights.
IRAN
Iran uses the solar Hajri calendar which celebrates New Year (Nawruz) on the day of the Spring Equinox, which falls in the Northern Hemisphere on the 20th of March.
ISRAEL
Israel uses the Hebrew calendar therefore the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) is celebrated during the months of September or October.
Jewish New Year in 2017 will be celebrated on September the 22nd.
JAPAN
Since 1873 Japan has used the Gregorian calender therefore their New Year's Day is held on January the first, although the entire new year celebration, known as Shogatsu, is held between December the 31st (Omisoka Day) and January the fourth.
KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan uses the Bahai calendar therefore the Kazak New Year (Nawruz Meyramy) is celebrated on the 21st of March.
KOREA
Both North and South Korea use the lunar solar calendar therefore the Korean New Year (Seol Lal) is celebrated at the same time as the Chinese New Year, see above.
KYRGYZSTAN
Kyrgyzstan uses the Bahai calendar therefore the Kyrgyz New Year (Nawruz) is celebrated on the 21st of March.
LAOS
Laos uses the Buddhist calendar therefore the Lao New Year (Pii Mai or Songkran) is celebrated between the 13th and 16th of April.
MONGOLIA
Mongolia uses the lunar solar calendar therefore the Mongolian New Year (Tsagan Sar) is celebrated at the same time as the Chinese New Year, see above.
MYANMAR
Myanmar uses the Buddhist calendar therefore the Myan New Year (Thingyan) is celebrated between the 13th and 16th of April.
NEPAL
Nepal uses the Bikram Sambat calendar which celebrates it's official New Year (Nava Barsha) on the 14th of April but
the country's Gurung community celebrates New Year (Tamu Lhosar) on the 30th of December and the country's Tamang community celebrates New Year (Sonam Lhosar) on the 31st of January.
ORTHODOX NEW YEAR
Some Eastern Orthodox countries such as Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine, all of which use the Julian calendar for liturgical purposes, still celebrate the "Old New Year" or "Julian New Year" held on either the 13th or 14th of January, although January the first is their official New Year's date, therefore these dates are recognised but not treated as public holidays.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan uses the Bahai calendar therefore the Pakistani New Year (Nawruz) is celebrated on the 21st of March.
SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia uses the Islamic lunar or Hajri calendar with their New Year (Al Hajra), which is a twenty nine day holiday, occuring on different days every year.
Al Hajra in 2017 will be held between September 21st and October 19th.
SOMALIA
Although Somalia officially uses the Gregorian calendar citing January the first as New Year's Day, it also uses a lunar solar calendar known as the Amin Tiris or Taquiim calendar which cites July the 20th as it's New Year's Day (Dabshid) and the Hajri or Islamic lunar calendar in which New Year's Day (Al Hajra) can occur at any time of the year.
Al Hajra in 2017 will be held between September 22nd and October 19th.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka uses the Buddhist calendar and celebrates two New Year dates.
they are the Tamil New Year (Thai Pongal), which is celebrated between January the 13th and January the 16th, and the Sinhala New Year (Puthandu), which is celebrated between the 14th and 16th of April.
TAJIKISTAN
Tajikistan uses the Bahai calendar therefore the Tajik New Year (Nawruz) is celebrated on the 21st of March.
TIBET
Tibet uses the lunar solar calendar therefore the Tibetan New Year (Lhosar) is celebrated at the same time as the Chinese New Year, see above.
THAILAND
Thailand uses the Buddhist calendar therefore the Thai New Year (Songkran) is celebrated between the 13th and 15th of April.
TURKMENISTAN
Turkmenistan uses the Bahai calendar therefore the Turkmen New Year (Nawruz) is celebrated on March the 21st.
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan uses the Bahai calendar therefore the Uzbek New Year (Nawruz) is celebrated on the 21st of March.
VIETNAM
Vietnam uses the lunar solar calendar therefore the Vietnamese New Year (Tet) is celebrated on the same day as the Chinese New Year, see above.
YAZDANI NEW YEAR
The Yazdani faith, which includes followers of the Alevi, Yarsani and Yazidi religions, use the lunar Islamic or Hajri calendar and celebrate New Year (Nowruz) on March the 21st although the Yazidi faith also celebrate New Year (Sere Sal) on the first Wednesday after April the 14th, a day which is known as Red Wednesday or Charshema Sor.
ZOROASTRIAN NEW YEAR
The Zoroastrian faith, which includes followers of the Parsi and Irani religions, use the Shahenshahi calendar which celebrates New Year (Nowruz) on March the 21st.
For a list of classic religious holidays visit our page:
For a list of national patron saints days visit our page:
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