Public Holidays in Brunei
Statutory public holidays in Brunei, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Brunei at a glance
Brunei’s public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar alongside fixed national dates, with Sultan’s Birthday in July and National Day on 23 February the biggest secular events. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the longest break.
Because the Hijri calendar drifts, Ramadan and both Eids move roughly ten days earlier each Gregorian year.
Brunei public holidays 2026
Brunei has 18 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 |
| Isra' and Mi'raj | Jan 17Sat | National |
| Lunar New Year | Feb 17Tue | National |
| First Day of Ramadan | Feb 19Thu | National |
| National Day | Feb 23Mon | National |
| Anniversary of the revelation of the Quran | Mar 7Sat | National |
| Eid al-Fitr | Mar 21Sat | National |
| Eid al-Fitr | Mar 22Sun | National |
| Eid al-Fitr | Mar 23Mon | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (observed) | Mar 24Tue | Substitute |
| Eid al-Adha | May 27Wed | National |
| Armed Forces Day | May 31Sun | National |
Showing 12 of 18 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Brunei
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Brunei.
Bandar Seri Begawan
A compact capital of mosques, a water village and a quiet riverside promenade.
Kuala Belait
A western oil town near the Sarawak border, with a wide beach and mangrove walks.
Seria
Brunei's oilfield town, home to the refinery and a blowout memorial.
Tutong
A laid-back town of markets and a lake district popular for weekend camping.
Bangar
The tiny administrative centre of the Temburong exclave, gateway to the rainforest.
Top attractions in Brunei
The places that draw most visitors to Brunei.
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
A golden-domed mosque on an artificial lagoon, the symbol of the capital.
Kampong Ayer
A stilt village of some 30,000 people on the Brunei River, linked by wooden walkways.
Ulu Temburong National Park
Primary rainforest reachable only by longboat, with a canopy walkway 50 metres up.
Istana Nurul Iman
The Sultan's vast residence, open to the public for three days after Hari Raya.
Jerudong Park
A large seaside playground built for the royal family and now open to all.
Royal Regalia Museum
A museum of royal regalia, gifts and the constitutional history of the sultanate.
Festivals, food and getting around Brunei
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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Isra and Mi'raj
Falls on Jan 16
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Isra and Mi'raj observed
Falls on Jan 17
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Lunar New Year
Falls on Feb 17
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Ramadan begins
Falls on Feb 18
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National Day
Falls on Feb 23
Food & drink
Getting around
There is little public transport; hire a car or use water taxis, and expect to fly or boat to reach the Temburong exclave.
Travelling around Brunei’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Brunei 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
Brunei'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.
Brunei public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Brunei have?
Brunei has 18 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 Brunei is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Brunei'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, Brunei typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Brunei?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Brunei?
Calendars are published for 2027, 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Brunei Darussalam
School term dates in Brunei Darussalam
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.