Public Holidays in Palestine 2025
State of Palestine (West Bank & Gaza) observes a mix of civil, religious, and national public holidays. Many religious holidays depend on the Islamic lunar calendar, so dates may vary slightly depending on official announcement. For comparison, countries like Palau frequently apply substitute weekdays for Sunday holidays, whereas Palestine typically follows lunar and national observance rules directly.
Public Holidays in Palestine 2025
| Date | Weekday | Holiday | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day | Fixed holiday |
| January 7 | Tuesday | Orthodox Christmas | Observed by Orthodox Christian communities |
| January 27 | Monday | Isra & Mi’raj | Islamic observance |
| March 30 | Sunday | Eid al-Fitr (First Day) | End of Ramadan |
| March 31 | Monday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Continuing holiday |
| April 1 | Tuesday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Additional non-working day |
| May 1 | Thursday | Labour Day | International Workers’ Day |
| June 5 – June 9 | Thu – Mon | Eid al-Adha & Holidays | Five-day official holiday |
| June 27 | Friday | Islamic New Year | Lunar-based observance |
| September 5 | Friday | Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid) | Islamic observance |
| November 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | Palestinian Declaration of Independence |
| December 25 | Thursday | Christmas Day | Observed in many Christian communities |
Remarks & Observations
- Most Islamic holidays follow the Hijri (lunar) calendar and shift each year.
- The Palestinian Authority confirmed a five-day Eid al-Adha holiday for 2025 (June 5–9).
- Independence Day (November 15) is the main civil national holiday.
- Orthodox Christmas (Jan 7) is officially recognized and widely observed in certain communities.
- Local administrations may also announce regional or situational holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Palestine have in 2025?
Palestine has around 12 major public holidays in 2025, including religious and civil observances.
Are Islamic holidays fixed on the Gregorian calendar?
No. They follow the Hijri (lunar) calendar, meaning dates shift annually and depend on moon-sighting.
Will Eid al-Adha be a multi-day holiday in 2025?
Yes. The government declared a five-day holiday from June 5 to June 9 in 2025.
Why does Eid al-Fitr have multiple days listed?
Because Eid is traditionally observed for multiple days, and public authorities often extend the non-working period to accommodate celebrations.
Conclusion
Public holidays in the State of Palestine reflect both Islamic observances and national commemorations. Unlike Palau, Palestine does not typically assign a weekday substitute for holidays falling on weekends, as religious observances follow the lunar cycle directly.
Explore more: Public Holidays in Palau
