Public Holidays in Uzbekistan 2026 – National & Islamic Holidays
Public holidays in Uzbekistan in 2026 include fixed national holidays and two Islamic holidays whose dates are officially confirmed separately. Under Uzbekistan’s Labour Code, nine dates or holiday events qualify as nationwide non-working public holidays. The government can also establish additional days off or move rest days around official holidays, but those additional rest days are not separate public holidays.
Next Public Holiday in Uzbekistan
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2026 | Tuesday | Independence Day | Confirmed |
Public Holidays in Uzbekistan 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Confirmed |
| March 8, 2026 | Sunday | International Women’s Day | Confirmed |
| March 20, 2026 | Friday | Ramadan Hayit (Eid al-Fitr) | Confirmed |
| March 21, 2026 | Saturday | Navruz Holiday | Confirmed |
| May 9, 2026 | Saturday | Day of Remembrance and Honor | Confirmed |
| May 27, 2026 | Wednesday | Kurban Hayit (Eid al-Adha) | Confirmed |
| September 1, 2026 | Tuesday | Independence Day | Confirmed |
| October 1, 2026 | Thursday | Teachers’ and Mentors’ Day | Confirmed |
| December 8, 2026 | Tuesday | Constitution Day | Confirmed |
How Public Holidays Work in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s nationwide non-working holidays are defined by the country’s labour legislation. Article 208 of the Labour Code covers New Year’s Day, International Women’s Day, Navruz, Day of Remembrance and Honor, Independence Day, Teachers’ and Mentors’ Day, Constitution Day, and the first days of Ramadan Hayit and Kurban Hayit.
The Government of Uzbekistan’s guidance on rest time and non-working holidays also explains that work on non-working public holidays is generally prohibited, subject to exceptions for activities that cannot be stopped for technical, organizational or public-service reasons.
Religious Public Holidays in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan recognizes the first day of Ramadan Hayit, also known as Eid al-Fitr, and the first day of Kurban Hayit, or Eid al-Adha, as non-working public holidays. Unlike fixed-date holidays, their Gregorian calendar dates are confirmed closer to the event.
Ramadan Hayit in 2026
For 2026, Ramadan Hayit was officially confirmed for March 20. In a decision dated March 18, 2026, the President of Uzbekistan accepted information from the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan that the first day of Ramadan Hayit would fall on Friday, March 20.
The official announcement is available from the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Kurban Hayit in 2026
Kurban Hayit was officially confirmed for May 27, 2026. The presidential decision dated May 20 states that the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan identified Wednesday, May 27 as the first day of Kurban Hayit. The decision also refers to the first day of Kurban Hayit as a non-working holiday under Article 208 of the Labour Code.
The confirmation is published on the official website of the President of Uzbekistan.
Is Defenders of the Motherland Day a Public Holiday in Uzbekistan?
January 14 is officially celebrated in Uzbekistan as Defenders of the Motherland Day. However, it is not included in Article 208 of the Labour Code among the country’s non-working public holidays.
This distinction matters because some holiday calendars list January 14 alongside Uzbekistan’s major national celebrations. For public-holiday and workplace planning purposes, the statutory list of non-working holidays is the more precise classification.
Additional Days Off in Uzbekistan in 2026
Uzbekistan can create additional non-working days around official holidays without turning those dates into separate national public holidays. Presidential Decree PF-257 of December 24, 2025 established several such days for 2026.
For employees regardless of their type of working week, the decree designated January 2, May 28, May 29 and August 31 as additional days off. It also created separate arrangements for employees working five-day and six-day weeks.
These additional rest days should be distinguished from the statutory public holidays in the main holiday calendar. The 2026 presidential decree on additional non-working days and transferred rest days provides the official arrangements.
What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend in Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan’s Labour Code provides for the transfer of a rest day when a non-working public holiday coincides with a regular rest day. The government may also move rest days by presidential decree to make more effective use of public-holiday periods.
The rule does not operate in exactly the same way for every workplace. Continuous-production businesses, essential public services and other activities that cannot stop may follow different working arrangements permitted by labour legislation.
Long Weekends in Uzbekistan in 2026
Several extended breaks were created in 2026 through the combination of statutory holidays, weekends, transferred rest days and additional presidentially declared days off.
- New Year: the official working calendar provides a four-day break from January 1 to January 4.
- International Women’s Day: the March 8 holiday produces an extended break covering March 7 to March 9.
- Ramadan Hayit and Navruz: the two holidays combine with surrounding rest days to create a break from March 20 to March 23.
- Day of Remembrance and Honor: the May 9 holiday and transferred rest arrangements create a break through May 11.
- Kurban Hayit: May 27 is followed by additional non-working days on May 28 and May 29, producing a longer holiday period together with the weekend.
- Independence Day: the additional day off on August 31 connects the weekend with the September 1 public holiday.
These extended breaks include days that are not themselves statutory public holidays. They should therefore be used for planning purposes rather than counted as additional entries in Uzbekistan’s public-holiday total.
Are Public Holidays Non-Working Days in Uzbekistan?
Yes. The holidays listed in Article 208 of Uzbekistan’s Labour Code are designated as non-working holiday days. Work on these dates is generally prohibited.
There are exceptions where operations cannot reasonably stop, including certain continuous-production activities, essential services, urgent repairs and other work permitted under labour legislation. Employees should therefore check their own work schedule where their organization operates continuously or provides necessary public services.
Who Announces Public Holidays in Uzbekistan?
The permanent non-working holiday framework is established by Uzbekistan’s Labour Code. Fixed holidays therefore recur on their statutory dates unless the law changes.
The dates of Ramadan Hayit and Kurban Hayit require separate confirmation. In 2026, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan determined the relevant dates and presidential decisions formally announced the celebrations.
The President of Uzbekistan may also issue decrees establishing additional non-working days or transferring rest days around official holidays. These measures affect the working calendar without necessarily creating new statutory public holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Uzbekistan?
The next public holiday changes during the year. Check the Next Public Holiday section above for the current VisaBoards database-generated result.
How many nationwide non-working public holidays does Uzbekistan have in 2026?
Uzbekistan’s Labour Code provides nine nationwide non-working holiday dates or holiday events: seven fixed-date holidays plus the first days of Ramadan Hayit and Kurban Hayit. Additional presidentially declared rest days are not counted as separate statutory public holidays.
Is January 14 a non-working public holiday in Uzbekistan?
No. January 14 is officially celebrated as Defenders of the Motherland Day, but it is not included among the non-working public holidays listed in Article 208 of Uzbekistan’s Labour Code.
When is Ramadan Hayit in Uzbekistan in 2026?
The first day of Ramadan Hayit was officially confirmed as March 20, 2026. The date was announced by presidential decision after information from the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.
When is Kurban Hayit in Uzbekistan in 2026?
The first day of Kurban Hayit was officially confirmed as May 27, 2026. The presidential decision confirming the date was issued on May 20, 2026.
Are Islamic holiday dates the same every year in Uzbekistan?
No. Ramadan Hayit and Kurban Hayit follow the Islamic calendar, so their Gregorian dates change from year to year. Their exact dates should be checked against the relevant official announcement rather than assumed from an estimated calendar.
Does Uzbekistan give additional days off around public holidays?
It can. The President may establish additional non-working days or transfer rest days to create longer holiday periods. Uzbekistan did this for several holiday periods in 2026 under Presidential Decree PF-257.
Does a public holiday falling on a weekend create another rest day?
Uzbek labour legislation provides for a rest day to be transferred when a non-working holiday coincides with a regular rest day, subject to the rules applying to the workplace. Presidential decrees may also set specific transfers for a particular year.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Uzbekistan
- Government of Uzbekistan non-working holiday and rest-time guidance: identifies the statutory non-working public holidays and explains basic rest-day rules.
- President of Uzbekistan 2026 Ramadan Hayit decision: confirms March 20, 2026 as the first day of Ramadan Hayit.
- President of Uzbekistan 2026 Kurban Hayit decision: confirms May 27, 2026 as the first day of Kurban Hayit.
- President of Uzbekistan Decree PF-257 on additional non-working days in 2026: establishes additional days off and rest-day transfers for 2026.
- Government Portal of Uzbekistan Holidays: provides official background on Uzbekistan’s nationally recognized holidays.
