Public Holidays in Turkmenistan
Statutory public holidays in Turkmenistan, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Turkmenistan at a glance
Turkmenistan’s public holidays centre on national dates and the spring Navruz festival in March, alongside Islamic observances. Independence Day in September brings large public celebrations.
Several dates are lunar or equinox-based, so the calendar shifts slightly each year.
Turkmenistan public holidays 2026
The dates below come from Turkmenistan’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | 2026 |
| Day of Fatherland Defenders | Jan 27Tue | 2026 |
| Ramadan Start | Feb 18Wed | 2026 |
| Day of Diplomatic Staff of Turkmenistan | Feb 18Wed | 2026 |
| Day of Transport and Communication Workers | Mar 7Sat | 2026 |
| International Women's Day | Mar 8Sun | 2026 |
| Oraza Bayram | Mar 20Fri | 2026 |
| March Equinox | Mar 20Fri | 2026 |
| Nowruz Bayram (Spring Festival) | Mar 21Sat | 2026 |
| Nowruz Bayram (Spring Festival) | Mar 22Sun | 2026 |
| Day of Chemical Industry Workers | Mar 31Tue | 2026 |
| World Health Day | Apr 7Tue | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 44 dates recorded for 2026.
Major cities in Turkmenistan
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Turkmenistan.
Ashgabat
A marble-clad capital of white towers, fountains and monumental avenues.
Turkmenabat
A city on the Amu Darya and a rail junction toward Uzbekistan.
Dashoguz
A city near the Uzbek border and the gateway to Konye-Urgench.
Mary
A city beside the ruins of ancient Merv and the Karakum canal.
Turkmenbashi
The main Caspian port, with a ferry terminal and beach resorts.
Top attractions in Turkmenistan
The places that draw most visitors to Turkmenistan.
Merv
The ruins of a vast Silk Road oasis city with Seljuk mausoleums.
Konye-Urgench
A ruined capital holding the tallest surviving brick minaret in Central Asia.
Darvaza Gas Crater
A burning desert crater glowing at night, known as the Door to Hell.
Nisa
The remains of a Parthian royal city on the edge of the Kopet Dag.
Ashgabat Monuments
The capital's vast marble complexes, golden statue and monumental arches.
Yangykala Canyon
Striated pink and ochre canyon walls in the desert of the west.
Festivals, food and getting around Turkmenistan
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
-
🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
-
🎉
Day of Fatherland Defenders
Falls on Jan 27
-
🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
-
🎉
Day of Diplomatic Staff of Turkmenistan
Falls on Feb 18
-
🎉
Day of Transport and Communication Workers
Falls on Mar 7
-
🎉
International Women's Day
Falls on Mar 8
Food & drink
Getting around
Distances are long and public transport limited; hiring a car with a driver is the usual way to reach the desert sites.
Travelling around Turkmenistan’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Turkmenistan 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
Turkmenistan'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.
Turkmenistan public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Turkmenistan have?
Turkmenistan has 44 dates recorded on its 2026 calendar, ranging from national statutory holidays to widely marked observances that are not days off work.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Turkmenistan is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Turkmenistan'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, Turkmenistan typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Turkmenistan?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Turkmenistan?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.