Public holidays in Armenia in 2026 include national celebrations, religious holidays, remembrance days and an officially transferred non-working day. Armenia's holiday legislation identifies which commemorations are statutory days off, while separate government decisions can change the working calendar. The schedule below covers 14 nationwide statutory or officially transferred non-working dates, excluding observances that do not provide a general day off.
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Public Holidays in Armenia 2026
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Armenia's public holiday calendar is governed primarily by the Law on Holidays and Remembrance Days of the Republic of Armenia. The legislation specifies annual non-working holidays, while the government may approve additional non-working days or transfer working days through separate decisions.
The 2026 schedule includes 13 statutory non-working holiday dates and one transferred non-working date. This distinction matters because a transferred day changes the working calendar without establishing a new recurring public holiday.
National Holidays in Armenia
Armenia's national holidays commemorate independence, statehood, constitutional history, military service and important events in the country's past. Several are designated as nationwide non-working days under Armenian law.
Independence Day
Independence Day is celebrated on September 21. It commemorates Armenia's 1991 referendum on independence from the Soviet Union. The holiday is a statutory non-working day and one of the country's principal national celebrations.
Republic Day
Republic Day falls on May 28 and commemorates the establishment of the First Republic of Armenia in 1918. It is recognized as an official non-working holiday.
Constitution Day
Constitution Day is observed on July 5, marking the adoption of Armenia's Constitution in 1995. The date is legally recognized as a non-working public holiday.
Army Day
Army Day takes place on January 28 and commemorates the establishment of the Armenian Armed Forces in 1992. It is an official nationwide non-working holiday.
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
April 24 is dedicated to remembering the victims of the Armenian Genocide. It is a statutory non-working day and an important national day of remembrance.
Religious Holidays in Armenia
Armenia recognizes Christmas and Epiphany on January 6 as a statutory non-working holiday. The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ together on this date.
Other important Armenian Christian observances include Easter, Vardavar and the Feast of the Assumption. However, their religious significance does not automatically make them nationwide non-working public holidays.
The distinction between religious observances and statutory holidays is important when planning work schedules, business operations and travel. Only dates expressly designated as non-working under applicable legislation or government decisions should be treated as general public holidays.
New Public Holiday on January 27, 2026
Armenia established January 27 as the Remembrance Day of Those Who Died Defending the Homeland through Law HO-1-N, adopted on January 20, 2026, and effective from January 21, 2026.
The legislation expressly designates January 27 as a non-working day. It therefore forms part of Armenia's statutory public holiday calendar for 2026.
The holiday was retained in the revised Law on Holidays and Remembrance Days introduced through Law HO-345-N, which came into effect on July 24, 2026.
The original legislation is available through the Armenian Legal Information System's January 2026 amendment.
Transferred Non-Working Day in Armenia in 2026
Armenia's government approved a working-day transfer affecting May 2026 through Decision No. 109-N of January 29, 2026.
Under this decision, the normal working day of Monday, May 4, 2026, was transferred to Saturday, April 18, 2026. Consequently, May 4 became a non-working day, while April 18 became a working day under the transferred schedule.
This created a four-day break from Friday, May 1, through Monday, May 4, for employees following the applicable standard Monday-to-Friday workweek.
May 4 is a one-time transferred non-working day rather than a permanent annual public holiday. The arrangement is confirmed in Government Decision No. 109-N.
Long Weekends in Armenia in 2026
Several public holidays in 2026 create extended breaks for employees who normally work Monday through Friday.
- January 1–4: New Year's Day and the January 2 holiday combine with the weekend to create a four-day break.
- April 24–26: Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day falls on Friday, creating a three-day weekend.
- May 1–4: Labour Day and the transferred non-working day create a four-day break.
- September 19–21: Independence Day falls on Monday, creating a three-day weekend.
These breaks assume a Saturday-Sunday weekend. Employees with different working arrangements may have different schedules.
What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend in Armenia?
A public holiday falling on Saturday or Sunday does not automatically establish a replacement Monday holiday under the holiday legislation. Any additional non-working day or working-day transfer must have an applicable legal basis.
For example, International Women's Day falls on Sunday, March 8, 2026, while Constitution Day falls on Sunday, July 5. Neither date should be assumed to create an additional Monday holiday without a separate official decision.
The Armenian government has legal authority to approve special non-working days in circumstances covered by the Law on Holidays and Remembrance Days. Such decisions should be checked individually.
Public Holidays and Working Days in Armenia
Are Government Offices Closed on Public Holidays?
Statutory non-working public holidays generally affect the normal schedules of government offices and public administration. Essential public services may continue operating under separate arrangements.
Are Banks Closed on Public Holidays?
Bank branches may close or operate reduced schedules on statutory holidays. Banking customers should check announcements from their financial institution, particularly when arranging in-person services or time-sensitive transactions.
Are Shops and Businesses Open?
Commercial opening hours can vary. Retailers, restaurants, hotels and essential service providers may operate during public holidays, depending on their business arrangements and applicable employment rules.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Armenia?
Armenian employment legislation governs work performed on non-working public holidays, including applicable compensation and rest arrangements. Employees should consult the Labour Code and their employment terms to determine the rules relevant to their circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holiday dates are listed for Armenia in 2026?
The verified 2026 schedule contains 14 nationwide non-working dates: 13 statutory holiday dates and one officially transferred non-working day on May 4. Ordinary observances and regional events are excluded.
Is January 27 a public holiday in Armenia in 2026?
Yes. January 27 was established as the Remembrance Day of Those Who Died Defending the Homeland under Law HO-1-N, effective January 21, 2026. It is an official non-working day.
Why is May 4 a non-working day in Armenia in 2026?
Government Decision No. 109-N transferred the working day of Monday, May 4, to Saturday, April 18. May 4 is therefore an officially transferred non-working day for 2026, not an annual statutory holiday.
Is Armenian Christmas a public holiday?
Yes. Armenia celebrates Christmas and Epiphany on January 6, which is a nationwide statutory non-working holiday.
Is Easter Monday a public holiday in Armenia?
Easter Monday is a religious observance, but it is not automatically a nationwide statutory non-working holiday. An applicable government decision would be needed to establish a separate non-working day.
Is Independence Day a public holiday in Armenia?
Yes. Armenia celebrates Independence Day on September 21. It is designated as a non-working public holiday under Armenian legislation.
Does Armenia provide replacement holidays when public holidays fall on weekends?
Replacement days should not be assumed automatically. The government can authorize additional non-working days or working-day transfers through official decisions.
Where can official public holiday announcements for Armenia be found?
Armenia's official holiday legislation and government decisions are published through the Armenian Legal Information System, ARLIS. The system provides access to laws, amendments and government decisions relevant to non-working dates.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Armenia
- Law HO-345-N on Holidays and Remembrance Days – The revised Armenian holiday law establishing statutory celebrations, remembrance days and non-working dates.
- Law HO-1-N of January 20, 2026 – Establishes January 27 as the Remembrance Day of Those Who Died Defending the Homeland and a non-working holiday.
- Government Decision No. 109-N of January 29, 2026 – Confirms the transfer of the May 4 working day to Saturday, April 18.
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