Public holidays in Haiti in 2026 include major national commemorations, Christian feast days and civic holidays such as Independence Day, Flag and University Day and the anniversary of the Battle of Vertières. Some additional dates can affect schools or government services without constituting full nationwide public holidays, so those categories should be distinguished carefully.
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Also Explore: Public Holiday in Honduras
Next Public Holiday in Haiti
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2, 2026 | Monday | All Souls' Day (Fête des Morts) | Confirmed |
Public Holidays in Haiti 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | Independence Day | Confirmed |
| January 2, 2026 | Friday | Ancestors' Day (Jour des Aïeux) | Confirmed |
| February 17, 2026 | Tuesday | Mardi Gras | Confirmed |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Confirmed |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour and Agriculture Day | Confirmed |
| May 18, 2026 | Monday | Flag and University Day | Confirmed |
| June 4, 2026 | Thursday | Corpus Christi (Fête-Dieu) | Confirmed |
| August 15, 2026 | Saturday | Assumption Day | Confirmed |
| October 17, 2026 | Saturday | Anniversary of the Death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines | Confirmed |
| November 2, 2026 | Monday | All Souls' Day (Fête des Morts) | Confirmed |
| November 18, 2026 | Wednesday | Battle of Vertières Day | Confirmed |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Confirmed |
How Public Holidays Work in Haiti
Haiti's official holiday calendar combines national commemorations with Christian religious holidays. The Office National de l'Aviation Civile identifies Independence Day, Ancestors' Day, Mardi Gras, Labour and Agriculture Day, Flag and University Day, Fête-Dieu, Assumption, the anniversary of the death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, All Souls' Day, the Battle of Vertières commemoration and Christmas as public holidays.
Good Friday is also treated as a legal nationwide holiday under the decree of 23 May 1989. Government notices confirm that public administration, universities, schools, commerce and industry close across the country for Good Friday.
Independence Day and Ancestors' Day
Haiti begins the year with two major national commemorations. Independence Day is observed on 1 January, marking Haiti's declaration of independence in 1804.
Ancestors' Day, or Jour des Aïeux, follows on 2 January and honours the founders and heroes associated with Haiti's independence and the establishment of the republic.
In 2026, Independence Day falls on Thursday and Ancestors' Day falls on Friday, creating an extended New Year holiday period for many people who normally have Saturday and Sunday off.
Carnival and Mardi Gras in Haiti in 2026
Mardi Gras is an official public holiday in Haiti and is observed on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. In 2026, Mardi Gras falls on 17 February.
Haiti's education calendar also identifies 16 and 17 February as Carnival leave and 18 February as Ash Wednesday. However, the broader school closure does not mean that every date in that period is a separate nationwide public holiday.
The official OFNAC public-holiday list identifies Mardi Gras itself as the public holiday, while Carnival Monday may affect some administrative services from midday and Ash Wednesday may also involve administrative closures.
Good Friday in Haiti in 2026
Good Friday falls on 3 April 2026. It is a legal public holiday under Haiti's decree of 23 May 1989.
Government guidance states that public administration, universities, schools, commerce and industry close nationwide for Good Friday.
Maundy Thursday should not automatically be classified as another full nationwide public holiday. Official government guidance has treated Maundy Thursday as a partial closure beginning at midday, while Good Friday is the full legal holiday.
Labour and Agriculture Day
1 May is Haiti's Labour and Agriculture Day, combining recognition of workers with the importance of agriculture to the country.
In 2026, 1 May falls on a Friday, producing a three-day weekend for many people whose normal non-working days are Saturday and Sunday.
Flag and University Day
Haiti observes Flag and University Day on 18 May. The holiday commemorates the creation of the Haitian flag and is also associated with the country's universities and education.
In 2026, 18 May falls on a Monday, creating a three-day weekend for many Monday-to-Friday workers.
Corpus Christi in Haiti in 2026
Corpus Christi, known locally as Fête-Dieu, is a legal public holiday in Haiti. In 2026, it falls on Thursday, 4 June.
The Prime Minister's Office has expressly described Fête-Dieu as a public holiday established under the decree of 23 May 1989. Public administration, schools, universities, commerce and industry close for the occasion.
Assumption Day in Haiti
Assumption Day is observed on 15 August and appears on Haiti's official list of public holidays.
In 2026, 15 August falls on a Saturday. A separate nationwide substitute Monday should not be assumed unless the Haitian authorities issue a specific measure providing one.
Anniversary of the Death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines
Haiti commemorates the death of independence leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines on 17 October. The date appears on the country's official public-holiday list.
In 2026, 17 October falls on a Saturday.
All Souls' Day in Haiti
2 November, known as Fête des Morts or All Souls' Day, is an official public holiday in Haiti.
In 2026, the holiday falls on a Monday and therefore creates a three-day weekend for many people on a conventional Monday-to-Friday schedule.
Battle of Vertières Day
Haiti commemorates the Battle of Vertières on 18 November. The battle, fought in 1803, was a decisive event in the struggle that led to Haitian independence.
The date is included in Haiti's official public-holiday calendar. In 2026, 18 November falls on a Wednesday.
Christmas Day in Haiti
Christmas Day on 25 December is an official public holiday in Haiti. In 2026, Christmas falls on a Friday, creating a three-day weekend for many workers.
Christmas Eve on 24 December should not be treated as an additional full nationwide public holiday solely because some government or administrative services may close or reduce their hours.
Administrative Closures That Are Not Full Public Holidays
Haiti's official civil-aviation information specifically notes that certain administrative services may be closed on dates that are not listed as separate full public holidays.
These can include:
- Ash Wednesday;
- Christmas Eve on 24 December;
- New Year's Eve on 31 December;
- Maundy Thursday from midday; and
- Carnival Monday from midday.
These administrative arrangements should not automatically be converted into nationwide public-holiday entries in a national holiday database.
Are Government Offices Closed on Public Holidays in Haiti?
Government offices normally follow official holiday instructions issued by the Haitian authorities. For legal holidays such as Good Friday and Fête-Dieu, government notices have expressly confirmed closure of the public administration.
Authorities may also announce partial closures or additional administrative leave around major periods such as Carnival, Easter, Christmas or New Year. Those special arrangements should be distinguished from permanent nationwide public holidays.
Are Schools Closed on Public Holidays in Haiti?
Schools generally close for official public holidays, but Haiti's Ministry of Education calendar also contains additional school vacation and closure dates.
A school closure is not by itself evidence that the date is a nationwide public holiday. For example, the 2025–2026 school calendar provides a wider Carnival break than the national public-holiday list.
Are Businesses Closed on Public Holidays in Haiti?
Legal public holidays can affect commerce and industry throughout Haiti. Government notices for Good Friday and Fête-Dieu have specifically stated that commerce and industry close on those occasions.
Opening arrangements for individual shops, hospitality businesses and essential services may nevertheless vary, so travellers and customers should verify operating hours when necessary.
Long Weekends in Haiti in 2026
Several Haitian public holidays create useful extended weekends in 2026 for people following a Monday-to-Friday schedule.
- New Year: Independence Day on Thursday, 1 January and Ancestors' Day on Friday, 2 January create a four-day break when combined with the weekend.
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April creates a three-day weekend.
- Labour and Agriculture Day: Friday, 1 May creates a three-day weekend.
- Flag and University Day: Monday, 18 May creates a three-day weekend.
- All Souls' Day: Monday, 2 November creates a three-day weekend.
- Christmas: Friday, 25 December creates a three-day weekend.
Additional leave or partial administrative closures should not be described as public holidays unless an official nationwide measure establishes that status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Haiti?
The next public holiday changes throughout the year. The live VisaBoards section near the top of this page displays the next upcoming holiday from the current Haiti public holiday database.
What is Haiti's country code?
Haiti's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is HT.
When is Independence Day in Haiti?
Haiti celebrates Independence Day on 1 January every year. The holiday commemorates the declaration of Haitian independence in 1804.
What is Ancestors' Day in Haiti?
Ancestors' Day, or Jour des Aïeux, is observed on 2 January and honours the founders and heroes associated with Haiti's struggle for independence.
When is Mardi Gras in Haiti in 2026?
Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. It is listed as an official public holiday in Haiti.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Haiti?
Yes. Good Friday is a legal nationwide public holiday. In 2026 it falls on 3 April.
Is Maundy Thursday a public holiday in Haiti?
It should not be classified as a separate full-day nationwide public holiday on the same basis as Good Friday. Official guidance has provided for administrative and workplace closure from midday on Maundy Thursday.
When is Fête-Dieu in Haiti in 2026?
Fête-Dieu, or Corpus Christi, falls on Thursday, 4 June 2026 and is a legal public holiday.
Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Haiti?
Christmas Eve is not included as a separate full public holiday in the main national holiday list. Some administrative services may close or operate reduced hours.
Is New Year's Eve a public holiday in Haiti?
New Year's Eve is not listed as a separate full nationwide public holiday in the main official holiday list, although some administrative services may be closed.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Haiti
- Office National de l'Aviation Civile – AIP République d'Haïti: provides Haiti's official list of public holidays and distinguishes several partial or administrative closure dates.
- Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale et de la Formation Professionnelle – 2025–2026 School Calendar: confirms key movable 2026 dates including Carnival, Good Friday and Fête-Dieu.
- Government of Haiti – Easter Holiday Communiqué: confirms the legal treatment of Good Friday and the partial Maundy Thursday closure.
- Prime Minister's Office – Fête-Dieu Communiqué: confirms that Fête-Dieu is a legal public holiday under the decree of 23 May 1989.
- Government of Haiti – Independence Day 2026: confirms the official 1 January 2026 national commemoration.
- Government of Haiti – Ancestors' Day 2026: confirms the official 2 January 2026 commemoration.
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