Public Holidays in Oman
Statutory public holidays in Oman, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Oman at a glance
Oman’s public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar for religious dates, with National Day on 18 November the main national celebration. Renaissance Day and the Sultan’s birthday are also marked.
The weekend runs Friday to Saturday, and religious dates move about ten days earlier each Gregorian year.
Oman public holidays 2026
Oman has 15 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sultan's Accession Day | Jan 11Sun | National |
| Isra' and Mi'raj (estimated) | Jan 16Fri | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 18Wed | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 19Thu | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 21Sat | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 22Sun | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 26Tue | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 28Thu | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 29Fri | National |
| Islamic New Year (estimated) | Jun 16Tue | National |
Showing 12 of 15 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Oman
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Oman.
Muscat
A low-rise capital of white buildings, a corniche and Portuguese-era forts.
Salalah
A monsoon-watered city of banana plantations and frankincense groves.
Nizwa
An oasis city with a round fort, a vast souq and date palms.
Sur
A dhow-building port on the Arabian Sea and a turtle nesting area.
Sohar
An industrial port city with a fort and a long maritime history.
Top attractions in Oman
The places that draw most visitors to Oman.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
A vast mosque with a hand-woven carpet and a crystal chandelier.
Nizwa Fort
A 17th-century round tower fort with trap doors and a massive gate.
Wadi Shab
A gorge of turquoise pools and a hidden waterfall reached by boat and swim.
Bahla Fort
A mud-brick oasis fort ringed by a 12-km wall, capital of the Nabhani dynasty.
Al Hajar Mountains
Rugged peaks with terraced villages and the high Jebel Shams plateau.
Ras al Jinz
A beach where green turtles come ashore to lay eggs at night.
Festivals, food and getting around Oman
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
New Year
Falls on Jan 1
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🎉
Isra and Mi'raj
Falls on Jan 16
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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
-
🎉
Eid al-Fitr
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Falls on Mar 21
Food & drink
Getting around
Roads are excellent between cities; a 4×4 is essential for wadis and mountain tracks, and distances are longer than they look.
Travelling around Oman’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Oman tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Oman's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Oman public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Oman have?
Oman has 15 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Oman is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Oman's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Oman typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Oman?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Oman?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Oman
School term dates in Oman
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.