Public Holidays in Maldives
Statutory public holidays in Maldives, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Maldives at a glance
The Maldives’ public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar, with Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha the longest breaks. Independence Day on 26 July is the main national date.
Because the Hijri year is shorter, religious dates move about ten days earlier each Gregorian year, and resort operations continue through most holidays.
Maldives public holidays 2026
Maldives 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 |
| First Day of Ramadan (estimated) | Feb 18Wed | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday (estimated) | Mar 21Sat | National |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday (estimated) | Mar 22Sun | National |
| International Worker's Day | May 1Fri | 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 |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday (estimated) | May 30Sat | National |
| Islamic New Year (estimated) | Jun 16Tue | National |
Showing 12 of 18 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Maldives
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Maldives.
Male
One of the world's densest capitals, with a fish market, mosques and a waterfront.
Addu City
A city of linked islands in the far south, with causeways and British-era airfield.
Fuvahmulah
A unique single-island atoll with freshwater lakes and a distinctive dialect.
Kulhudhuffushi
The main city of the north, with boatyards and a relaxed island pace.
Thinadhoo
A Gaafu Dhaalu island rebuilt after the 2004 tsunami, with a strong local culture.
Top attractions in Maldives
The places that draw most visitors to Maldives.
Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve
A protected atoll where manta rays and whale sharks gather.
Hanifaru Bay
A narrow bay where hundreds of manta rays feed in a plankton soup.
Male Friday Mosque
A coral-stone mosque carved with intricate calligraphy and lacquerwork.
Ari Atoll
A classic diving atoll of whale shark routes, thilas and wreck sites.
Vaadhoo Island
A beach where bioluminescent plankton lights the shoreline at night.
Utheemu Ganduvaru
A wooden palace and the birthplace of a national hero.
Festivals, food and getting around Maldives
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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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
Eid-ul-Fithr
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
Eid-ul-Fithr Holiday
Falls on Mar 21
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Eid-ul-Fithr Holiday
Falls on Mar 22
Food & drink
Getting around
Speedboats, dhonis and seaplanes are the transport between islands; the capital is walkable in an hour.
Travelling around Maldives’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Maldives 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
Maldives'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.
Maldives public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Maldives have?
Maldives 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 Maldives is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Maldives'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, Maldives typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Maldives?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Maldives?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Maldives
School term dates in Maldives
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.