Public Holidays in Russia 2026 – National & Public Observances
Russia designates several statutory non-working public holidays under the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. These include extended New Year holidays, national commemorations, and Orthodox Christian observances, with substitute days often applied when holidays fall on weekends.
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Public Holidays in Russia 2026
| Date(s) | Weekday(s) | Holiday | Remarks / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1–6, 8 | Thu–Tue, Thu | New Year Holidays | Extended New Year non-working period |
| January 7 | Wednesday | Orthodox Christmas Day | Statutory non-working holiday |
| February 23 | Monday | Defender of the Fatherland Day | Honors military service members |
| March 8 | Sunday | International Women’s Day | Public holiday (substitution may apply) |
| April 12 | Sunday | Orthodox Easter | Religious observance (not statutory) |
| May 1 | Friday | Spring and Labour Day | Statutory public holiday |
| May 9 | Saturday | Victory Day | Major national commemoration |
| June 12 | Friday | Russia Day | National Day of the Russian Federation |
| November 4 | Wednesday | Unity Day | Commemorates 1612 uprising |
| December 31 | Thursday | New Year’s Eve | Often declared a bridge/substitute holiday |
Public Holidays in Russia 2025
| Date(s) | Weekday(s) | Holiday | Remarks / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1–6, 8 | Wed–Mon, Wed | New Year Holidays | Extended non-working New Year period |
| January 7 | Tuesday | Orthodox Christmas Day | Statutory non-working holiday |
| February 23 | Sunday | Defender of the Fatherland Day | Honors military and veterans |
| March 8 | Saturday | International Women’s Day | Official public holiday |
| April 20 | Sunday | Orthodox Easter | Religious observance; not always statutory |
| May 1 | Thursday | Spring and Labour Day | Also known as May Day |
| May 9 | Friday | Victory Day | Major national observance |
| June 12 | Thursday | Russia Day | National Day |
| November 4 | Tuesday | Unity Day | Historic national commemoration |
| December 31 | Wednesday | New Year’s Eve | Often designated as substitute holiday |
Key Observance Rules & Notes
- The New Year holiday block (January 1–8) is one of the longest continuous public holiday periods globally.
- Orthodox Christmas is observed on January 7 according to the Julian calendar.
- Russia applies substitute (“перенос”) days when holidays fall on weekends.
- Orthodox Easter is religiously significant but not always a statutory non-working day.
- Victory Day (May 9) is one of Russia’s most important national holidays, marked by parades and ceremonies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Russia have in 2026?
Russia has around 10 official public holiday periods in 2026, including the extended New Year break.
Why is the New Year holiday so long in Russia?
Several consecutive days from January 1 to January 8 are legally designated as non-working days to create a unified New Year holiday period.
Is Orthodox Easter a statutory holiday in Russia?
No. Orthodox Easter is widely observed religiously but is not consistently a statutory non-working holiday.
Does Russia move holidays when they fall on weekends?
Yes. Substitute weekdays are commonly designated when major holidays fall on Saturday or Sunday.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Russia reflect a combination of extended seasonal breaks, Orthodox Christian observances, and key national commemorations. Because substitute days and bridge arrangements may vary slightly each year, reviewing official government announcements is recommended.
