Public Holidays in Iraq 2025 – National & Religious Days
Iraq observes a mixture of national, religious, and regional public holidays. Some are fixed, while others follow the Islamic (lunar) calendar and require official confirmation (e.g., Eid). Regional and local holidays may also apply depending on governorate or region (e.g., Kurdistan).
Overview of Public Holidays in Iraq
Public holidays in Iraq include national secular days (New Year, Army Day, Independence Day, Victory Day), Islamic observances (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, Ashura, Mawlid), and cultural or seasonal days (Nowruz). Some holidays only apply in certain regions.
List of Public Holidays in Iraq (2025)
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day (Sovereignty Day) |
| January 6 | Monday | Army Day |
| March 21 | Friday | Nowruz / Spring Day |
| March 30 | Sunday | Eid al-Fitr (tentative) |
| March 31 | Monday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| April 1 | Tuesday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| April 2 | Wednesday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday &/or Yazidi New Year (regional) |
| May 1 | Thursday | Labour Day |
| June 6 | Friday | Eid al-Adha (tentative) |
| June 9 | Monday | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| June 14 | Saturday | Eid al-Ghadir |
| June 27 | Friday | Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) |
| July 6 | Sunday | Ashura |
| July 14 | Monday | Republic Day (Kurdistan region) |
| September 4 | Thursday | Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet’s Birthday) |
| October 3 | Friday | Independence Day (National Day) |
| December 10 | Wednesday | Victory Day (Victory over ISIS) |
| December 25 | Thursday | Christmas Day |
Notes & Observations
- Dates for Islamic holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, Ashura, Mawlid) depend on lunar sighting and may shift by a day.
- Some holidays apply only in certain regions (e.g., Kurdistan) or are observed locally (e.g., Yazidi New Year).
- Nowruz (Persian/Kurdish New Year) is a public holiday, especially in regions with Kurdish cultural influence.
- Republic Day and some commemorative holidays may be region-specific (e.g., Kurdistan).
- Victory Day (December 10) commemorates Iraq’s victory over ISIS.
Public Observance & Closures
On these public holidays, government offices, schools, banks, and many businesses close nationwide or in relevant regions. For multi-day Islamic holidays, closures often extend across contiguous days. Because lunar holidays depend on official confirmation, people often await government declarations to finalize dates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Iraq have in 2025?
Iraq observes around 20–25 public holidays in 2025, including national, religious, seasonal, and regional observances.
Do Islamic holiday dates shift from year to year?
Yes. Holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, and Ashura follow the Islamic lunar calendar and are confirmed by moon sighting.
What is Nowruz and does all Iraq observe it?
Nowruz is the Persian/Kurdish New Year celebrated on the vernal equinox (March 21). It is observed as a public holiday especially in regions with Kurdish culture.
Is Victory Day widely observed?
Victory Day (December 10) commemorates Iraq’s victory over ISIS and is a national public holiday across Iraq.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Iraq illustrate the country’s religious diversity, historical memory, and regional variation. From New Year’s and Army Day to Eid festivities, Nowruz, and Victory Day, these observances reflect both national identity and cultural traditions in Iraqi public life.
Also Explore: Public Holidays in Iran
