Public Holidays in Palau
Statutory public holidays in Palau, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Palau at a glance
Palau’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 1 October alongside Christian feast days and Constitution Day on 9 July.
Several dates move with Easter, and Youth Day in March is a distinctive national observance.
Palau public holidays 2025
Palau has 13 public holidays in 2025 – 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 1Wed | National |
| Youth Day (observed) | Mar 14Fri | Substitute |
| Youth Day | Mar 15Sat | National |
| Senior Citizens Day | May 5Mon | National |
| President's Day | Jun 1Sun | National |
| President's Day (observed) | Jun 2Mon | Substitute |
| Constitution Day | Jul 9Wed | National |
| Labor Day | Sep 1Mon | National |
| Independence Day | Oct 1Wed | National |
| United Nations Day | Oct 24Fri | National |
| Thanksgiving Day | Nov 27Thu | National |
| Family Day | Nov 28Fri | National |
Showing 12 of 13 public holidays for 2025.
Major cities in Palau
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Palau.
Ngerulmud
A purpose-built capital in the hills of Babeldaob, of a capitol complex.
Koror
The commercial centre, of shops, a waterfront and a museum.
Meyuns
A town on an island linked by causeway to Koror, with a hospital.
Airai
A state near the airport, with a bai meeting house and mangrove channels.
Peleliu
A southern island of a wartime legacy and quiet villages.
Top attractions in Palau
The places that draw most visitors to Palau.
Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
A lagoon of mushroom-shaped limestone islands and marine lakes.
Jellyfish Lake
A lake where millions of golden jellyfish migrate daily across the water.
Blue Corner
One of the most famous drift dives in the world, of sharks and currents.
Ngardmau Waterfall
The tallest waterfall in Palau, reached by a jungle trail.
Badrulchau Stone Monoliths
Ancient basalt columns with carved faces on a grassy terrace.
Peleliu Battlefield
Caves, beaches and memorials from one of the Pacific war's fiercest battles.
Festivals, food and getting around Palau
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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Day off for Youth Day
Falls on Mar 14
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Youth Day
Falls on Mar 15
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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Senior Citizens Day
Falls on May 5
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President's Day
Falls on Jun 1
Food & drink
Getting around
Boats and small planes link the islands; Koror is walkable and the Rock Islands are reached by tour boat.
Travelling around Palau’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Palau 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
Palau'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.
Palau public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Palau have?
Palau has 13 public holidays in 2025, 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 2025 list?
The complete 2025 calendar for Palau is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Palau'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, Palau typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Palau?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Palau?
Calendars are published for 2025.
School holidays in Palau
School term dates in Palau
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.