Public Holidays in Tuvalu
Statutory public holidays in Tuvalu, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Tuvalu at a glance
Tuvalu’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 1 October alongside Christian feast days and Commonwealth Day.
Several dates move with Easter, and the country’s small size means the whole nation observes the same calendar.
Tuvalu public holidays 2026
Tuvalu has 12 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Gospel Day | May 11Mon | National |
| King's Birthday | Jun 13Sat | National |
| National Youth Day | Aug 3Mon | National |
| Tuvalu Day | Oct 1Thu | National |
| Tuvalu Day | Oct 2Fri | National |
| National Children's Day | Oct 12Mon | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
| Boxing Day | Dec 26Sat | National |
| Boxing Day (observed) | Dec 28Mon | Substitute |
Showing 12 of 12 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Tuvalu
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Tuvalu.
Funafuti
The capital atoll, a narrow strip of land between a lagoon and the sea.
Vaiaku
The main village of Funafuti, with government buildings and a church.
Fongafale
The most populated islet of Funafuti, with the airport and housing.
Amatuku
A small islet in the north of the atoll with a maritime school.
Kavatoetoe
A village area on Fongafale of homes and a meeting house.
Top attractions in Tuvalu
The places that draw most visitors to Tuvalu.
Funafuti Conservation Area
A protected reef and lagoon of coral, turtles and reef fish.
Funafuti Lagoon
One of the largest lagoons in the Pacific, of islets and channels.
Nanumea
A northern atoll of coconut palms and a wartime airfield legacy.
Niutao
A compact coral island of villages and a fringing reef.
Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau
The post office whose stamps are a significant national export.
Pulaka Pits
Bowl-shaped pits where swamp taro, the national crop, is cultivated.
Festivals, food and getting around Tuvalu
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's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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Commonwealth Day
Falls on Mar 9
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 21
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Good Friday
Falls on Apr 3
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Holy Saturday
Falls on Apr 4
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Easter Sunday
Falls on Apr 5
Food & drink
Getting around
Inter-island boats and a few flights link the atolls; on Funafuti, motorbikes and a single road suffice.
Travelling around Tuvalu’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Tuvalu 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
Tuvalu'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.
Tuvalu public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Tuvalu have?
Tuvalu has 12 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 Tuvalu is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Tuvalu'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, Tuvalu typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Tuvalu?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Tuvalu?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Tuvalu
School term dates in Tuvalu
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.