| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2026-02-26 | Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare Remembrance Day | National |
| 2026-04-03 | Good Friday | National |
| 2026-04-05 | Easter Sunday | National |
| 2026-04-06 | Easter Monday | National |
| 2026-06-17 | King's Birthday | National |
| 2026-07-23 | Papua New Guinea Remembrance Day | National |
| 2026-08-26 | National Repentance Day | National |
| 2026-09-16 | Independence Day | National |
| 2026-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
| 2026-12-26 | Boxing Day | National |
About these holidays in Papua New Guinea (2026)
Our Papua New Guinea 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.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a public holiday in most countries with Christian traditions, and businesses, banks and schools often close. Observance is typically solemn, with church services, processions and in some places Passion plays. The date moves each year because Easter is calculated from the first full moon following the March equinox.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is the central feast of the Christian year, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus three days after the crucifixion. In many countries it is a public holiday, though in others the legal holiday falls on the preceding Friday or the following Monday. The date is movable, set by the Council of Nicaea as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the March equinox, so it ranges from 22 March to 25 April.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and forms the final day of the Easter octave in Western Christianity. It is a public holiday in many European, Commonwealth and Latin American countries, effectively extending the Easter weekend. Because it is tied to the movable date of Easter, it falls between late March and late April. Traditional customs include egg rolling, picnics and family outings.
Independence Day
Independence Day marks the anniversary of a nation's formal separation from another state, or of the founding moment of its sovereignty. Because it commemorates a specific historical event, the date differs from country to country and the name often includes the year. Typical observances include flag raising, military parades, speeches by heads of state, and public concerts. It is frequently the most prominent national holiday on the calendar.