| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2026-01-06 | Army Day | National |
| 2026-03-16 | Commemoration of the Saddam Baath crimes against the Iraqi people | National |
| 2026-03-20 | Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | National |
| 2026-03-21 | Eid al-Fitr (estimated); Nowruz | National |
| 2026-03-22 | Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | National |
| 2026-05-01 | Labor Day | National |
| 2026-05-26 | Day of Arafah (estimated) | National |
| 2026-05-27 | Eid al-Adha (estimated) | National |
| 2026-05-28 | Eid al-Adha (estimated) | National |
| 2026-05-29 | Eid al-Adha (estimated) | National |
| 2026-06-04 | Eid al-Ghadir (estimated) | National |
| 2026-06-16 | Islamic New Year (estimated) | National |
| 2026-06-25 | Ashura (estimated) | National |
| 2026-08-25 | Prophet's Birthday (estimated) | National |
How many public holidays does Iraq have in 2026?
Iraq has 15 public holidays in 2026: 15 national holidays. The dates run from 1 January 2026 to 25 August 2026, and no public holiday falls in February, April, July, September, October, November, December. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Iraq's public holiday count compares.
Long weekends in Iraq 2026
Iraq's public holidays create 4 long weekends in 2026 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Sat 14 - Mon 16 March: Commemoration of the Saddam Baath crimes against the Iraqi people (3-day weekend, Saturday 14 March to Monday 16 March).
- Fri 20 - Sun 22 March: Eid al-Fitr (estimated) (3-day weekend, Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March).
- Fri 1 - Sun 3 May: Labor Day (3-day weekend, Friday 1 May to Sunday 3 May).
- Tue 26 - Sun 31 May: Day of Arafah (estimated) (6-day weekend, Tuesday 26 May to Sunday 31 May).
Observed and substitute holidays in Iraq 2026
A substitute holiday is a day off moved to a nearby working weekday when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The legal date never changes - only the day most people actually get off.
In 2026 no public holiday in Iraq is moved to a nearby weekday, so every holiday in the table above is observed on the date shown.
Regional variations are common; see public holidays across Asia for the wider picture.
Public holidays in Iraq: is your date a holiday in 2026?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Iraq in 2026. If the date you are checking appears there, it is a day off; if it does not, it is not a public holiday - however widely it may be marked.
For example, 1 January 2026 is New Year's Day, a public holiday in Iraq.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Iraq (2026)
Our Iraq public holidays guide explains the background of each holiday and how the dates are set.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day falls on 1 January and opens the Gregorian calendar year. Most countries mark it with a public holiday, and celebrations usually begin the night before with countdowns, fireworks and gatherings. The date was fixed in its current position by Julius Caesar's calendar reform, and later preserved by the Gregorian reform of 1582. traditions vary widely, from first-footing in Scotland to writing resolutions for the months ahead.
Eid al-Fitr (estimated)
Eid al-Fitr is the festival that ends Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and begins on the first day of Shawwal. It is a two or three day public holiday across much of the Muslim world. The date depends on the sighting of the new moon, so published calendars mark it as estimated until it is confirmed. Families gather for prayer, shared meals and charitable giving before the fast was broken each evening of Ramadan.
Labor Day
Labor Day honours the achievements of workers and the labour movement. Most countries observe it on 1 May, known internationally as May Day or International Workers' Day, which grew out of the campaign for an eight hour working day. Others, including the United States and Canada, hold it on the first Monday of September. Typical events include trade union marches, rallies and public speeches on working conditions.
Day of Arafah (estimated)
The Day of Arafah falls on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the day before Eid al-Adha, when pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat near Mecca for the central rite of the Hajj. For Muslims not performing the pilgrimage it is a recommended day of fasting. It is a public holiday in several countries, and because the Islamic calendar is lunar the Gregorian date is estimated.
Eid al-Adha (estimated)
Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Muslims who can afford it sacrifice an animal and share the meat with family, neighbours and the poor. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the Gregorian date moves about ten days earlier each year and is listed as estimated.