Public Holidays in Qatar
Statutory public holidays in Qatar, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Qatar at a glance
Qatar’s public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar for religious dates, with National Day on 18 December the main secular celebration. Sports Day in February is a unique national institution.
The weekend runs Friday to Saturday, and Eid dates move about ten days earlier each Gregorian year.
Qatar public holidays 2026
Qatar has 8 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 |
|---|---|---|
| National Sports Day | Feb 10Tue | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 21Sat | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 22Sun | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 28Thu | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 29Fri | National |
| Qatar National Day | Dec 18Fri | National |
Showing 8 of 8 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Qatar
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Qatar.
Doha
A fast-built capital of glass towers, a corniche bay and the Museum of Islamic Art.
Al Rayyan
A large municipality of sports stadiums, parks and education campuses.
Al Wakrah
A historic pearling and fishing town south of Doha with a restored souq.
Umm Salal
A town of date farms and the Barzan towers on the edge of the desert.
Lusail
A planned coastal city of stadiums, marinas and tram lines north of Doha.
Top attractions in Qatar
The places that draw most visitors to Qatar.
Museum of Islamic Art
A limestone museum on a purpose-built island holding 1,400 years of art.
Souq Waqif
A restored mud-plaster market of spice stalls, falcon shops and cafes.
Al Zubarah Fort
A desert fort beside the ruins of an 18th-century pearling town.
Katara Cultural Village
A waterfront complex of amphitheatres, galleries and a beach.
The Pearl
A reclaimed island of marinas, Mediterranean-style streets and towers.
Inland Sea
A desert bay reached by dune driving, where sand meets the Gulf.
Festivals, food and getting around Qatar
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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National Sports Day
Falls on Feb 10
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Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
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March bank holiday
Falls on Mar 1
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Eid al-Fitr
Falls on Mar 20
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
Food & drink
Getting around
Doha's metro and tram network is modern and cheap; desert excursions and the Inland Sea require a 4×4 and a guide.
Travelling around Qatar’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Qatar 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
Qatar'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.
Qatar public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Qatar have?
Qatar has 8 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 Qatar is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Qatar'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, Qatar typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Qatar?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Qatar?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Qatar
School term dates in Qatar
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.