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
The dates below come from Kiribati’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | 2026 |
| International Women's Day | Mar 8Sun | 2026 |
| March Equinox | Mar 21Sat | 2026 |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | 2026 |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | 2026 |
| June Solstice | Jun 21Sun | 2026 |
| Independence Day Holiday | Jul 11Sat | 2026 |
| Independence Day | Jul 12Sun | 2026 |
| Unimwane Day | Jul 15Wed | 2026 |
| Unaine Day | Jul 16Thu | 2026 |
| Youth Day | Aug 3Mon | 2026 |
| September Equinox | Sep 23Wed | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 16 dates recorded 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 16 dates recorded on its 2026 calendar, ranging from national statutory holidays to widely marked observances that are not days off work.
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.