Public Holidays in Kuwait
Statutory public holidays in Kuwait, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Kuwait at a glance
Kuwait’s public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar for religious dates, with National Day on 25 February and Liberation Day on 26 February the main national celebrations. Religious dates drift about ten days earlier each year.
The weekend runs Friday to Saturday, and during Eid most government offices, banks and malls close or keep sharply reduced hours.
Kuwait public holidays 2026
Kuwait has 13 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 (estimated) | Jan 16Fri | National |
| National Day | Feb 25Wed | National |
| Liberation Day | Feb 26Thu | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday (estimated) | Mar 21Sat | National |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday (estimated) | Mar 22Sun | National |
| Day of Arafah (estimated) | May 26Tue | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday (estimated) | May 28Thu | National |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday (estimated) | May 29Fri | National |
| Islamic New Year (estimated) | Jun 16Tue | National |
Showing 12 of 13 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Kuwait
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Kuwait.
Kuwait City
A Gulf capital of souqs, corniche walks and the landmark Kuwait Towers.
Hawalli
A dense commercial district adjoining the capital with busy shopping streets.
Salmiya
A seaside district of malls, beaches and a long Arabian Gulf promenade.
Jahra
A town on the desert edge, historically a waypoint on the route north.
Fahaheel
A coastal town south of the city serving the oil and port districts.
Top attractions in Kuwait
The places that draw most visitors to Kuwait.
Kuwait Towers
Three slender towers with viewing spheres above the Arabian Gulf.
Grand Mosque
The country's largest mosque, with a vast dome and a carved mihrab.
Al Hamra Tower
A twisting 412-metre tower, the tallest in the country.
Tareq Rajab Museum
A private collection of Islamic art, manuscripts and regional jewellery.
Souq Sharq
A waterfront market of shops, cafes and a marina on the Gulf.
Al Shaheed Park
A large urban park of gardens, museums and walking paths.
Festivals, food and getting around Kuwait
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 Miraj
Falls on Jan 16
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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
National Day
Falls on Feb 25
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🎉
Liberation Day
Falls on Feb 26
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🎉
Eid al-Fitr
Falls on Mar 20
Food & drink
Getting around
Kuwait is car-oriented; taxis and ride-hailing are the norm, and public bus coverage remains limited.
Travelling around Kuwait’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Kuwait 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
Kuwait'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.
Kuwait public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Kuwait have?
Kuwait has 13 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 Kuwait is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Kuwait'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, Kuwait typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Kuwait?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Kuwait?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Kuwait
School term dates in Kuwait
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.