Public Holidays in Vanuatu 2026 – National & Cultural Celebrations
Vanuatu’s public holiday calendar for 2026 includes civic, historical and Christian holidays observed nationwide. The Government of Vanuatu also recognizes separate provincial holidays, which apply within particular provinces and are not included in the nationwide public holiday schedule shown by the VisaBoards database.
Next Public Holiday in Vanuatu
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 5, 2026 | Monday | Constitution Day | Officially Scheduled |
Public Holidays in Vanuatu 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Years Day | Officially Scheduled |
| February 21, 2026 | Saturday | Fr. Lini Day | Officially Scheduled |
| March 5, 2026 | Thursday | Chiefs Day | Officially Scheduled |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Officially Scheduled |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | Officially Scheduled |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day | Officially Scheduled |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Ascension Day | Officially Scheduled |
| July 24, 2026 | Friday | Children's Day | Officially Scheduled |
| July 30, 2026 | Thursday | Independence Day | Officially Scheduled |
| August 15, 2026 | Saturday | Assumption Day | Officially Scheduled |
| October 5, 2026 | Monday | Constitution Day | Officially Scheduled |
| November 29, 2026 | Sunday | National Unity Day | Officially Scheduled |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas | Officially Scheduled |
| December 26, 2026 | Saturday | Family Day | Officially Scheduled |
How Public Holidays Work in Vanuatu
Vanuatu’s national public holiday calendar is published by the Prime Minister’s Office of the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu. The official 2026 schedule includes 14 nationwide public holiday dates.
The calendar combines national commemorations with Christian observances. Independence Day, Constitution Day, National Unity Day, Fr. Lini Day and Chiefs Day reflect Vanuatu’s political, historical and customary institutions, while Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Assumption Day and Christmas form part of the country’s Christian holiday calendar.
National and Provincial Holidays in Vanuatu
Vanuatu distinguishes nationwide holidays from provincial holidays. The central Government of Vanuatu holiday calendar expressly labels the main nationwide dates as national holidays and separately identifies holidays associated with individual provinces.
Provincial holidays include Shefa Day, Penama Day, Sanma Day, Torba Day, Tafea Day and Malampa Day. These dates should not be treated as nationwide public holidays because their geographical application is different from the national calendar.
The provincial structure is also reflected by Vanuatu’s Department of Local Authorities, which identifies six provinces: Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea.
Religious Public Holidays in Vanuatu
Several nationwide holidays in Vanuatu are based on the Christian calendar. Good Friday, Easter Monday and Ascension Day move from year to year because their dates depend on Easter. In 2026, the official Prime Minister’s Office calendar schedules Good Friday for April 3, Easter Monday for April 6 and Ascension Day for May 14.
Assumption Day is observed on August 15, while Christmas is observed on December 25. Family Day follows Christmas on December 26.
Civic and National Holidays in Vanuatu
Vanuatu observes several holidays connected with the country’s history and national institutions. Fr. Lini Day commemorates Walter Lini, a prominent independence leader and Vanuatu’s first prime minister. Independence Day is observed on July 30, marking Vanuatu’s independence in 1980.
Chiefs Day recognizes the role of customary chiefs, while Constitution Day and National Unity Day are also part of the nationwide public holiday calendar.
Provincial Holidays in Vanuatu
Vanuatu has six provincial holidays that are separate from the national public holiday schedule. Government sources identify Shefa Day on June 18, Penama Day on September 16, Sanma Day in September, Torba Day on October 2, Tafea Day on October 8 and Malampa Day on October 10.
Because these holidays apply provincially rather than throughout Vanuatu, they are excluded from the main VisaBoards nationwide holiday dataset.
Public Holidays That Fall on Weekends in 2026
Some official Vanuatu public holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday in 2026. Fr. Lini Day falls on Saturday, February 21; Assumption Day falls on Saturday, August 15; National Unity Day falls on Sunday, November 29; and Family Day falls on Saturday, December 26.
The Prime Minister’s Office 2026 calendar lists these holidays on their calendar dates. Users should therefore rely on any separate government announcement before assuming that an additional weekday will be observed as a substitute holiday.
Are Government Offices Closed on Public Holidays in Vanuatu?
Government departments generally treat public holidays as non-working days. Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue, for example, states that its offices are closed on public holidays as well as weekends.
Opening arrangements for individual government services, businesses and essential services can differ, so users should check directly with the relevant organization when planning appointments or travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Vanuatu?
The next holiday changes throughout the year. Check the Next Public Holiday section above for the current VisaBoards database-generated result.
How many nationwide public holiday dates are there in Vanuatu in 2026?
The official Prime Minister’s Office calendar lists 14 nationwide public holiday dates for Vanuatu in 2026. Provincial holidays are excluded from that total.
Are provincial holidays included in Vanuatu’s national public holiday calendar?
No. Vanuatu distinguishes provincial holidays from national holidays. Shefa Day, Penama Day, Sanma Day, Torba Day, Tafea Day and Malampa Day apply at provincial level and are not included in the nationwide VisaBoards holiday dataset.
When is Vanuatu Independence Day in 2026?
Vanuatu Independence Day is officially scheduled for July 30, 2026. The holiday commemorates the country’s independence in 1980.
Are Good Friday and Easter Monday public holidays in Vanuatu?
Yes. Both Good Friday and Easter Monday appear on Vanuatu’s official nationwide public holiday calendar. In 2026 they fall on April 3 and April 6 respectively.
Is Ascension Day a public holiday in Vanuatu?
Yes. Ascension Day is included in Vanuatu’s official national holiday schedule and falls on May 14 in 2026.
Does Vanuatu observe holidays on weekends?
Yes. Several official holidays fall on Saturdays or Sundays in 2026, and the Prime Minister’s Office calendar continues to list them on those dates. A separate government announcement should be checked before assuming an additional substitute weekday.
Is Christmas followed by another public holiday in Vanuatu?
Yes. Christmas is observed on December 25 and Family Day follows on December 26. Both are included in the national public holiday calendar.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Vanuatu
- Prime Minister’s Office of Vanuatu Public Holidays 2026: the primary official source for the 2026 nationwide public holiday schedule.
- Government of Vanuatu Holidays: identifies national and provincial holiday classifications.
- Vanuatu Department of Labour Labour Laws and Regulations: provides access to Vanuatu’s public-holiday legislation.
- Department of Local Authorities Provinces: identifies Vanuatu’s provincial structure and provincial anniversary dates.
