Public Holidays in Samoa
Statutory public holidays in Samoa, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Samoa at a glance
Samoa’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 1 June alongside Christian feast days and the commemoration of national leaders.
Several dates move with Easter, and the country’s White Sunday in October is a major family observance.
Samoa public holidays 2026
Samoa has 11 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 |
| The Day After New Year's Day | Jan 2Fri | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Day After Good Friday | Apr 4Sat | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Mother's Day | May 11Mon | National |
| Independence Day | Jun 1Mon | National |
| Father's Day | Aug 10Mon | National |
| White Sunday (Lotu a Tamaiti) | Oct 12Mon | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
| Boxing Day | Dec 26Sat | National |
Showing 11 of 11 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Samoa
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Samoa.
Apia
A small capital of a harbour, markets and colonial buildings on Upolu.
Salelologa
The main town of Savai'i, with a ferry terminal and a market.
Vaitele
A fast-growing village district west of Apia with shops and churches.
Faleolo
A village near the international airport on the west of Upolu.
Lalomalava
A coastal village on Savai'i, near the ferry and a lava field.
Top attractions in Samoa
The places that draw most visitors to Samoa.
To Sua Ocean Trench
A collapsed sea cave of emerald water, reached by a ladder.
Sua Ocean Trench
A second flooded sinkhole with a ladder and a rope swing.
Piula Cave Pool
A clear freshwater pool in a cave beneath a Methodist church.
Papapapaitai Falls
A tall roadside waterfall plunging into a forested valley.
Saleaula Lava Fields
Buried villages and a church engulfed by a 1900s eruption on Savai'i.
Palolo Deep Marine Reserve
A protected reef of coral and fish, snorkelled from the shore.
Festivals, food and getting around Samoa
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 After New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 2
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 21
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🎉
Good Friday
Falls on Apr 3
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🎉
Day After Good Friday
Falls on Apr 4
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🎉
Easter Monday
Falls on Apr 6
Food & drink
Getting around
Buses circle both islands; a ferry links Upolu and Savai'i, and the whole country is small enough to cover by road.
Travelling around Samoa’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Samoa 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
Samoa'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.
Samoa public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Samoa have?
Samoa has 11 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 Samoa is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Samoa'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, Samoa typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Samoa?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Samoa?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Samoa
School term dates in Samoa
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.