Public Holidays in Kyrgyzstan 2025 – National & Religious Days
Kyrgyzstan observes a mix of national, religious, and cultural public holidays. Some are fixed by law; others (especially the Islamic ones) follow the lunar calendar and shift yearly. On these days, government offices, schools, and many businesses close.
Overview of Kyrgyzstan’s Public Holidays
The holiday calendar in Kyrgyzstan includes:
- Civil / national holidays like New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Constitution Day, Victory Day
- Cultural / seasonal observances like Nooruz (spring New Year) and People’s April Revolution Day
- Religious holidays determined by lunar cycles such as Orozo Ait (Eid al-Fitr) and Kurman Ait (Eid al-Adha)
If a public holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day is often provided (a “day off” on the following weekday).
List of Public Holidays in Kyrgyzstan (2025)
| Date | Weekday | Holiday | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day | First day of year |
| January 2 – January 6 | Thursday – Monday | New Year Holidays extension | Extended non-working days for New Year period |
| January 7 | Tuesday | Orthodox Christmas Day | Recognized holiday for Orthodox Christian community |
| February 23 | Sunday | Defender of the Fatherland Day | Honors military / defense personnel |
| March 8 | Saturday | International Women’s Day | Public holiday in Kyrgyzstan |
| March 21 | Friday | Nooruz (Nowruz) | Traditional spring / New Year observance |
| March 30 | Sunday | Orozo Ait (Eid al-Fitr) | First day of Eid; lunar calendar |
| March 31 | Monday | Day off for Orozo Ait | Substitute day since Eid falls on Sunday |
| April 7 | Monday | People’s April Revolution Day | Commemorates the 2010 Kyrgyz Revolution |
| May 1 | Thursday | Labour Day / May Day | International Workers’ Day |
| May 5 | Monday | Constitution Day | Adoption of the Kyrgyz constitution in 1993 |
| May 9 | Friday | Victory Day | Commemoration of WWII victory |
| June 6 | Friday | Kurman Ait (Eid al-Adha) | Feast of Sacrifice; lunar observance |
| August 31 | Sunday | Independence Day | Anniversary of independence in 1991 |
| November 7 – November 8 | Friday – Saturday | Days of History & Commemoration of Ancestors | Multi-day historical observance |
Observations & Notes
• Lunar holidays (Orozo Ait, Kurman Ait) do not have fixed Gregorian dates; they follow the Islamic lunar calendar and official moon sighting.
• When a holiday falls on a Sunday, a substitute day off is often granted (e.g., day off after Orozo Ait; substitute for Independence Day).
• New Year holidays are typically extended for several days at the start of January.
• People’s April Revolution Day commemorates the 2010 uprising and is a national non-working holiday.
• Public holiday schedules may include “bridging” or compensatory days to avoid weekend overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Kyrgyzstan have in 2025?
Kyrgyzstan has around 15–17 national public holidays in 2025, counting multi-day observances and lunar holidays.
Do lunar holidays like Eid always fall on the same date each year?
No. Holidays such as Orozo Ait (Eid al-Fitr) and Kurman Ait (Eid al-Adha) follow the Islamic lunar calendar, so their Gregorian dates shift every year.
What is the People’s April Revolution Day?
People’s April Revolution Day (April 7) commemorates the 2010 revolution in Kyrgyzstan and is a national non-working holiday.
Which holiday marks Kyrgyzstan’s independence?
Independence Day is celebrated on August 31, the anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Kyrgyzstan combine cultural traditions, historic revolution commemorations, and religious observances. From the extended New Year break to Nooruz, Constitution Day, and the lunar Eid festivals, these holidays reflect the identity, faith, and heritage of Kyrgyz society.
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