Public Holidays in Kiribati
Statutory public holidays in Kiribati, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Kiribati at a glance
Kiribati’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 12 July alongside Christian feast days and local island commemorations.
Several dates move with Easter, and the country straddles the equator and the international date line.
Kiribati public holidays 2026
Kiribati has 17 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 |
| International Women's Day | Mar 8Sun | National |
| International Women's Day (observed) | Mar 9Mon | Substitute |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| National Health Day | Apr 19Sun | National |
| National Health Day (observed) | Apr 20Mon | Substitute |
| Gospel Day | Jul 11Sat | National |
| National Day – Independence Anniversary | Jul 12Sun | National |
| National Day – Independence Anniversary (observed) | Jul 13Mon | Substitute |
| National Day (in honor of Unimwane) | Jul 15Wed | National |
| National Day (in honor of Unaine) | Jul 16Thu | National |
Showing 12 of 17 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Kiribati
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Kiribati.
Tarawa
A coral atoll capital of villages, a causeway and a lagoon on two sides.
Betio
The main port islet of Tarawa, with a Japanese wartime legacy.
Bairiki
The administrative centre of South Tarawa, with government buildings.
Bikenibeu
A causeway-linked islet with schools, a hospital and an airport.
Kiritimati
The largest coral atoll in the world by land area, far to the east.
Top attractions in Kiribati
The places that draw most visitors to Kiribati.
Kiritimati (Christmas Island)
The world's largest coral atoll, a haven for seabirds and bonefishing.
Phoenix Islands Protected Area
One of the largest marine protected areas on earth, of pristine reefs.
Tarawa Lagoon
A vast lagoon of reefs, islets and World War Two wrecks.
Ambo Lagoon
A quiet atoll of coconut palms and a clear lagoon in the Gilberts.
Butaritari
A northern atoll of reef passages, wrecks and traditional villages.
Banaba
A raised coral island of phosphate ruins and a cave complex.
Festivals, food and getting around Kiribati
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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International Women's Day
Falls on Mar 8
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 21
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🎉
Good Friday
Falls on Apr 3
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🎉
Easter Monday
Falls on Apr 6
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🎉
June Solstice
Falls on Jun 21
Food & drink
Getting around
Domestic flights and inter-island boats link the atolls; schedules are infrequent and weather-dependent.
Travelling around Kiribati’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Kiribati 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
Kiribati'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.
Kiribati public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Kiribati have?
Kiribati has 17 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 Kiribati is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Kiribati'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, Kiribati typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Kiribati?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Kiribati?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Kiribati
School term dates in Kiribati
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.