Public Holidays in Libya 2025
Libya observes a mixture of national, historical, and Islamic public holidays. Some are fixed by law (e.g., Independence Day, Revolution Day), while others—such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the Islamic New Year—are determined by the lunar calendar and may shift slightly from year to year. (Sources: QPPStudio, PublicHolidays.africa, Wikipedia)
Overview of Libya’s Public Holidays
Public holidays in Libya include commemoration days (Revolution Day, Martyrs’ Day, Liberation Day), national identity observances (Independence Day), and key Islamic festivals. Because Libya uses Sunday–Thursday as the working week in many sectors, holiday arrangements and in-lieu days may vary.
Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Islamic New Year follow the Hijri (lunar) calendar, so their corresponding Gregorian dates may shift by a day or two.
List of Public Holidays in Libya (2025)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 17 | Monday | Revolution Day | Commemorates start of 2011 revolution |
| March 30 | Sunday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | First day of Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) |
| March 31 | Monday | Eid al-Fitr | Continued observance of Eid al-Fitr |
| April 1 | Tuesday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Extended Eid al-Fitr holiday days |
| May 1 | Thursday | May Day / Labour Day | International Workers’ Day |
| June 5 | Thursday | Day of Arafah | Preceding Eid al-Adha observance |
| June 6 | Friday | Eid al-Adha | Feast of Sacrifice begins |
| June 7 | Saturday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Continuation of Eid |
| June 8 | Sunday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Further Eid observance |
| June 9 | Monday | Eid al-Adha Holiday (except in Benghazi) | Compensatory Eid day in many parts |
| June 26 | Thursday | Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) | First day of Muharram |
| September 4 | Thursday | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid) | Observed across Libya |
| September 16 | Tuesday | Martyrs’ Day | Honors those killed under colonial rule & more |
| October 23 | Thursday | Liberation Day | Anniversary of 2011 regime change |
| December 24 | Wednesday | Independence Day | Remembers Libya’s independence in 1951 |
Notes & Observations
- The dates for Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Islamic New Year depend on lunar observations and may shift slightly from year to year.
- Some sources list additional holidays such as Commemoration of Victory over Gaddafi (March 19) and Jamahiriya Day, Lailat al Miraj, etc.
- Libya’s working week is often Sunday through Thursday; Fridays and Saturdays are weekend days in many sectors.
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, sometimes compensatory observance may be applied, depending on region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Libya have in 2025?
Libya has about 14–18 public holidays in 2025, depending on how multi-day Islamic holidays are counted.
Which holidays are uniquely national (non-religious)?
National, non-religious holidays include Revolution Day (Feb 17), Martyrs’ Day (Sept 16), Liberation Day (Oct 23), and Independence Day (Dec 24).
Why do some Eid periods show multiple consecutive days?
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha often span multiple days of observance to accommodate prayer and celebration.
Are there additional observances not always official holidays?
Yes. Some observances, such as Commemoration of Victory over Gaddafi, Jamahiriya Day, Lailat al Miraj, and British Evacuation Day, are listed in some sources but may not be universally observed as official holidays.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Libya reflect Libya’s historical, political, and religious heritage. From Revolution Day and Liberation Day to the multi-day observances of Eid and other Islamic festivals, these holidays mark the rhythms of public life in Libya each year—though lunar calculations and regional variation can influence exact dates.
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