Public Holidays in Syria 2025
Syria observes a combination of national, religious, and cultural public holidays. These holidays reflect its Islamic traditions, Christian communities, and recent political changes under new governance.
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Overview of Public Holidays in Syria
Public holidays in Syria include fixed days and movable religious observances following the lunar calendar. In 2025, a new presidential decree redefined some national holidays, removing certain past observances and introducing Liberation Day.
List of Public Holidays in Syria (2025)
| Holiday | Date (2025) | Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Wednesday | Beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. |
| New Year Holiday | January 2 | Thursday | Continuation of the New Year observance. |
| Revolution Day | March 8 | Saturday | Commemorates the Syrian uprising and revolution. |
| Mother’s Day | March 21 | Friday | Honors mothers across the country. |
| Eid al-Fitr | March 31 | Monday | Festival marking the end of Ramadan. |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday | April 1 | Tuesday | Extended holiday after Eid al-Fitr. |
| Independence Day / Evacuation Day | April 17 | Thursday | Marks the withdrawal of French troops and Syria’s full sovereignty. |
| Easter / Gregorian & Orthodox Easter | April 20 | Sunday | Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus (both Gregorian and Orthodox dates coincide). |
| Labor Day | May 1 | Thursday | Honors workers and labor rights. |
| Martyrs’ Day | May 6 | Tuesday | Commemorates national martyrs. |
| Eid al-Adha | June 6 | Friday | Major Islamic festival of sacrifice. |
| Islamic New Year (Muharram) | June 27 | Friday | Beginning of the Hijri lunar year. |
| The Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid) | September 5 | Friday | Celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birth (tentative). |
| October Liberation Day | October 6 | Monday | Commemoration of Syria’s October liberatory war. |
| Liberation Day | December 8 | Monday | Marks the fall of the previous regime under a 2025 decree. |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Thursday | Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. |
Religious and Cultural Significance
Syria’s holidays combine Islamic observances, Christian traditions, and national commemoration. The two Eid festivals (al-Fitr and al-Adha) follow lunar calendars and bring communal prayers, feasting, and charity. Christian communities observe Easter and Christmas. National days such as Revolution Day, Independence Day, and the newly introduced Liberation Day reflect Syria’s evolving political identity under recent leadership changes.
Public Observances and Closures
On these public holidays, government offices, schools, and many businesses are typically closed. Islamic holidays often include extended closures for multiple days. Because of the political changes in 2025, some holidays were redefined or removed by decree, so local observance may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Syria have?
Syria typically observes around 12–14 public holidays per year, including national, Islamic, and Christian days.
Why do some holidays shift dates each year in Syria?
Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha follow the Hijri lunar calendar, which is about 10–11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, causing the dates to move annually.
What changed in 2025 regarding Syria’s holidays?
In October 2025, a presidential decree removed previously recognized holidays such as Martyrs’ Day and adjusted national dates, introducing Liberation Day on December 8.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Syria span faith, culture, and evolving national identity. From the sacred days of Eid to Christian Easter, and from Revolution Day to the new Liberation Day, these observances encapsulate the country’s heritage and recent transformations.
