Public Holidays in Kuwait 2026 – Islamic & National Days
Kuwait observes a range of public holidays combining national commemorations and Islamic religious observances. Because many Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar, their exact Gregorian dates may shift based on moon sightings. Government and bank holidays are published officially (for example, NBK bank holiday lists).
Overview of Kuwait’s Public Holidays
National holidays in Kuwait include National Day (February 25) and Liberation Day (February 26). Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year), Arafat Day, Isra and Miraj, and Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday are also officially observed. In some years, additional in-lieu or “falls between” days are declared, particularly for banks and government offices.
List of Public Holidays in Kuwait (2026)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Remarks / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Gregorian New Year |
| January 16 | Friday | Isra and Miraj (tentative) | Night Journey & Ascension (subject to moon sighting) |
| February 25 | Wednesday | National Day | Celebration of Kuwait’s national identity |
| February 26 | Thursday | Liberation Day | Commemoration of liberation after Gulf War |
| February 27 | Friday | National & Liberation Day Holiday (possible in-lieu) | Extended holiday depending on official declaration |
| March 20 | Friday | Eid al-Fitr (1st Day) | End of Ramadan (tentative) |
| March 21 | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Continuation |
| March 22 | Sunday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Continuation |
| May 26 | Tuesday | Arafat Day | Day before Eid al-Adha (tentative) |
| May 27 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha (1st Day) | Feast of Sacrifice begins |
| May 28 | Thursday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Continuation |
| May 29 | Friday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Continuation |
| June 16 | Tuesday | Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) | First day of Muharram (tentative) |
| August 25 | Tuesday | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid) | Birth of the Prophet (tentative) |
Long holiday periods such as Eid and National Day celebrations are popular times to explore places to visit in Kuwait or book stays at recommended hotels across Kuwait.
List of Public Holidays in Kuwait (2025)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Remarks / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day | Gregorian New Year |
| January 2 | Thursday | New Year’s Day Holiday (in-lieu) | “Falls between weekend and holiday” (bank schedule) |
| January 27 | Monday | Isra and Miraj (tentative) | Islamic observance — Night Journey & Ascension |
| January 30 | Thursday | Isra and Miraj Holiday | Extended observance |
| February 25 | Tuesday | National Day | Celebration of Kuwait’s national identity |
| February 26 | Wednesday | Liberation Day | Commemoration of liberation after Gulf War |
| February 27 | Thursday | National & Liberation Day Holiday (in-lieu) | Compensatory “falls between” day |
| March 30 | Sunday | Eid al-Fitr (1st Day) | End of Ramadan |
| March 31 | Monday | Eid al-Fitr (2nd Day) | Second day of festival |
| April 1 | Tuesday | Eid al-Fitr (3rd Day) | Third day of festival |
| June 5 | Thursday | Arafat Day | Day before Eid al-Adha |
| June 6 | Friday | Eid al-Adha (1st Day) | Feast of Sacrifice begins |
| June 7 | Saturday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Continuation |
| June 8 | Sunday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Continuation |
| June 9 | Monday | Eid al-Adha Holiday (in-lieu) | Compensatory day |
| June 26 | Thursday | Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) | First day of Muharram |
| September 4 | Thursday | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid) | Birth of the Prophet |
Notes & Observations
• Islamic holidays depend on lunar sighting and may shift by one day.
• “Falls between” or in-lieu holidays may be declared to extend long weekends.
• Bank holiday schedules may include additional compensatory days.
• Official announcements should always be consulted for final confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Kuwait have in 2026?
Kuwait observes approximately 15–20 public holidays in 2026, depending on in-lieu days and lunar observances.
Why do some holidays include in-lieu days?
When holidays fall near weekends or between other holidays, Kuwait may declare compensatory in-lieu days.
Are Islamic holiday dates final in advance?
No. Islamic holidays are confirmed after moon sighting and may shift slightly.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Kuwait reflect a balance of national pride and Islamic tradition. While religious dates may shift annually, National Day, Liberation Day, and major Islamic festivals provide structure to Kuwait’s public calendar.
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