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Public Holidays in Iraq 2026 – Islamic & National Observances

Post Date · Modified · Country · Iraq

Public Holidays in Iraq 2026 – Islamic & National Observances

Iraq’s public holidays in 2026 include fixed national holidays, Islamic religious holidays and additional temporary holidays declared by the Council of Ministers. The main legal framework is Official Holiday Law No. 12 of 2024. Some Islamic holiday dates depend on the competent religious authorities or subsequent government announcements.

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Next Public Holiday in Iraq

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Public Holidays in Iraq 2026

DateDayHolidayStatus
January 1, 2026ThursdayGregorian New Year’s DayConfirmed
January 6, 2026TuesdayIraqi Army DayConfirmed
March 16, 2026MondayCommemoration of the Saddam Ba’ath Crimes against the Iraqi PeopleConfirmed
March 18, 2026WednesdayEid al-Fitr HolidayConfirmed
March 19, 2026ThursdayEid al-Fitr HolidayConfirmed
March 20, 2026FridayEid al-Fitr HolidayConfirmed
March 21, 2026SaturdayEid al-Fitr Holiday / Nowruz HolidayConfirmed
March 22, 2026SundayEid al-Fitr HolidayConfirmed
March 23, 2026MondayEid al-Fitr HolidayConfirmed
April 1, 2026WednesdayTemporary Official Holiday – Iraq World Cup QualificationConfirmed
April 2, 2026ThursdayTemporary Official Holiday – Iraq World Cup QualificationConfirmed
May 1, 2026FridayInternational Workers’ DayConfirmed
May 26, 2026TuesdayEid al-Adha HolidayConfirmed
May 27, 2026WednesdayEid al-Adha HolidayConfirmed
May 28, 2026ThursdayEid al-Adha HolidayConfirmed
May 29, 2026FridayEid al-Adha HolidayConfirmed
May 30, 2026SaturdayEid al-Adha HolidayConfirmed
June 4, 2026ThursdayAl-Ghadir DayConfirmed
June 16, 2026TuesdayHijri New Year – 1 MuharramConfirmed
June 25, 2026ThursdayAshura – Martyrdom of Imam HusseinConfirmed
August 3, 2026MondayArbaeen of Imam Hussein HolidayConfirmed
August 4, 2026TuesdayArbaeen of Imam Hussein HolidayConfirmed
August 25, 2026TuesdayProphet Muhammad’s BirthdayConfirmed
September 30, 2026WednesdayDays of Sovereignty – Temporary Official HolidayConfirmed
October 1, 2026ThursdayDays of Sovereignty – Temporary Official HolidayConfirmed
October 2, 2026FridayDays of Sovereignty – Temporary Official HolidayConfirmed
October 3, 2026SaturdayDays of Sovereignty – Temporary Official HolidayConfirmed

How Public Holidays Work in Iraq

Iraq’s statutory holiday system is primarily governed by Official Holiday Law No. 12 of 2024, published in the Iraqi Official Gazette. The law identifies nationwide public holidays and also establishes special holidays for certain religious communities.

The statutory calendar includes fixed Gregorian dates as well as holidays based on the Islamic calendar. Iraq’s Council of Ministers may also declare additional temporary holidays when circumstances or major national events require them.

Fixed National Public Holidays in Iraq

Several Iraqi public holidays have fixed Gregorian calendar dates. These include Gregorian New Year’s Day, Iraqi Army Day, the March 16 commemoration of crimes committed against the Iraqi people, Nowruz and International Workers’ Day.

Because these holidays are established in legislation rather than determined by a lunar calendar, their Gregorian dates do not require annual religious confirmation.

Islamic Public Holidays in Iraq

Islamic holidays form an important part of Iraq’s official holiday system. Official Holiday Law No. 12 of 2024 recognizes the Hijri New Year, Ashura, the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Al-Ghadir Day as public holidays.

The Gregorian dates of Islamic holidays can change from year to year because they follow the Hijri calendar. For holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the competent religious authorities play a role in determining the beginning of the relevant Islamic month or festival period.

Eid al-Fitr Holiday in Iraq

Eid al-Fitr is an official public holiday in Iraq. The holiday law recognizes the first three days of Shawwal as Eid al-Fitr holidays, while government decisions may provide a longer administrative closure for ministries and state institutions.

For 2026, the Council of Ministers announced an extended official closure around Eid al-Fitr. The verified holiday database above should be used for the applicable dates because government announcements can extend beyond the minimum statutory festival period.

Eid al-Adha Holiday in Iraq

Eid al-Adha is also a statutory public holiday. Iraqi law recognizes the period from the 10th through the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah as Eid al-Adha holidays.

The Council of Ministers may announce the corresponding Gregorian closure period once the dates are established. In 2026, an official government decision provided a multi-day closure for ministries and state institutions during Eid al-Adha.

Al-Ghadir Day in Iraq

Al-Ghadir Day is an official public holiday under Iraq’s 2024 holiday law. It falls on the 18th day of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar.

Because its Gregorian date changes from year to year, the applicable date should be checked against official government announcements and the current VisaBoards holiday database.

Hijri New Year and Ashura

The first day of Muharram is recognized as the Hijri New Year public holiday in Iraq. Ashura, observed on the 10th of Muharram and associated in Iraq with the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, is also designated as an official public holiday.

The corresponding Gregorian dates depend on the Islamic calendar and may be formally communicated through government or religious-authority announcements.

Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday

The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday is an official public holiday in Iraq and is observed according to the Islamic calendar. Its Gregorian date changes each year, so official announcements should be used when confirming the date for administrative and employment purposes.

Nowruz in Iraq

Nowruz on March 21 is expressly included in Iraq’s national holiday law as an official public holiday. It is particularly significant in Kurdish communities but is included in the statutory nationwide holiday framework.

Can Iraq Declare Additional Temporary Public Holidays?

Yes. Iraq’s Council of Ministers may announce additional temporary closures that are not part of the permanent annual list in the Official Holiday Law.

Such decisions may be connected with major national events, religious commemorations, exceptional circumstances or other matters requiring the suspension of official working hours. These one-off holidays should be distinguished from the permanent statutory calendar.

Weekly Official Holidays in Iraq

Friday and Saturday are recognized by Official Holiday Law No. 12 of 2024 as weekly official holidays. They are regular weekly rest days rather than separate annual holiday events, so they are not normally entered individually in an annual public-holiday database.

Religious Community Holidays in Iraq

Iraq’s holiday law also provides special official holidays for particular religious communities. These are different from nationwide holidays that apply generally across the country.

Christian, Yazidi and Sabian-Mandaean communities have specific religious holidays recognized under the law. Because these holidays apply to the relevant communities rather than the entire population, they should not automatically be classified as nationwide public holidays.

Are Christian Holidays Public Holidays for Everyone in Iraq?

Not necessarily. Iraqi law recognizes certain Christian holidays as official holidays for members of the Christian community. Government decisions may specify how these holidays apply to Christian employees, military personnel or institutions.

This distinction is important when interpreting holiday calendars because a community-specific official holiday is not automatically a general nationwide public holiday.

Are Government Offices Closed on Public Holidays in Iraq?

Government ministries and state institutions normally suspend official working hours when a nationwide public holiday or Council of Ministers closure applies. The exact scope of a temporary closure should be checked in the relevant government announcement.

Essential services may continue operating under special arrangements even when ordinary government offices are closed.

Are Banks and Businesses Closed on Public Holidays in Iraq?

Public holidays can affect government offices, banks and private businesses, but operating arrangements may differ by institution and sector. Businesses should check applicable government instructions and their own employment requirements when planning around public holidays.

Why Do Iraqi Holiday Dates Differ Between Calendars?

Differences usually occur because several Iraqi public holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar. Conversion websites can estimate Gregorian dates in advance, but an estimated date is not always the same as an officially confirmed holiday or government closure.

For this reason, religious-calendar estimates should not replace announcements from Iraqi government authorities or the competent religious bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the next public holiday in Iraq?

The next public holiday changes throughout the year. The live VisaBoards section near the top of this page shows the next upcoming public holiday using the current Iraq holiday database.

What is Iraq’s country code?

Iraq’s ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is IQ.

What law governs public holidays in Iraq?

Iraq’s principal statutory framework is Official Holiday Law No. 12 of 2024, published in the Iraqi Official Gazette.

Is New Year’s Day a public holiday in Iraq?

Yes. Gregorian New Year’s Day on January 1 is expressly recognized as an official public holiday under Iraq’s holiday law.

Is Iraqi Army Day a public holiday?

Yes. Iraqi Army Day on January 6 is included among the official public holidays established by law.

Is Nowruz a public holiday in Iraq?

Yes. Nowruz on March 21 is an official public holiday under Iraq’s national holiday legislation.

Are Eid al-Fitr dates fixed every year in Iraq?

No. Eid al-Fitr follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so its Gregorian dates change each year. Official religious and government announcements should be used to confirm the applicable dates.

How long is the Eid al-Adha holiday in Iraq?

Iraq’s holiday law recognizes the 10th through the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah as Eid al-Adha holidays. The government may announce an administrative closure covering additional calendar days.

Is Al-Ghadir Day an official holiday in Iraq?

Yes. Al-Ghadir Day is expressly recognized as an official public holiday under Official Holiday Law No. 12 of 2024.

Are Friday and Saturday official holidays in Iraq?

Yes. Friday and Saturday are recognized in Iraqi law as weekly official holidays. They are recurring weekly rest days rather than individual annual holiday events.

Can the Iraqi government declare extra public holidays?

Yes. The Council of Ministers may declare additional temporary holidays or official closures when required. These should be distinguished from the permanent holidays established by law.

Are all religious holidays nationwide in Iraq?

No. Some religious holidays are designated specifically for particular communities, including Christians, Yazidis and Sabian-Mandaeans. Community-specific holidays should not automatically be treated as nationwide holidays.

Official Sources for Public Holidays in Iraq

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