Public Holidays in Tuvalu
Statutory public holidays in Tuvalu, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Tuvalu at a glance
Tuvalu’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 1 October alongside Christian feast days and Commonwealth Day.
Several dates move with Easter, and the country’s small size means the whole nation observes the same calendar.
Tuvalu public holidays 2026
The dates below come from Tuvalu’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | 2026 |
| Commonwealth Day | Mar 9Mon | 2026 |
| March Equinox | Mar 21Sat | 2026 |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | 2026 |
| Holy Saturday | Apr 4Sat | 2026 |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5Sun | 2026 |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | 2026 |
| Gospel Day | May 11Mon | 2026 |
| Anniversary of the Birthday of the Sovereign | Jun 13Sat | 2026 |
| June Solstice | Jun 21Sun | 2026 |
| National Children's Day | Aug 3Mon | 2026 |
| September Equinox | Sep 23Wed | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 19 dates recorded for 2026.
Major cities in Tuvalu
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Tuvalu.
Funafuti
The capital atoll, a narrow strip of land between a lagoon and the sea.
Vaiaku
The main village of Funafuti, with government buildings and a church.
Fongafale
The most populated islet of Funafuti, with the airport and housing.
Amatuku
A small islet in the north of the atoll with a maritime school.
Kavatoetoe
A village area on Fongafale of homes and a meeting house.
Top attractions in Tuvalu
The places that draw most visitors to Tuvalu.
Funafuti Conservation Area
A protected reef and lagoon of coral, turtles and reef fish.
Funafuti Lagoon
One of the largest lagoons in the Pacific, of islets and channels.
Nanumea
A northern atoll of coconut palms and a wartime airfield legacy.
Niutao
A compact coral island of villages and a fringing reef.
Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau
The post office whose stamps are a significant national export.
Pulaka Pits
Bowl-shaped pits where swamp taro, the national crop, is cultivated.
Festivals, food and getting around Tuvalu
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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Commonwealth Day
Falls on Mar 9
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 21
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Good Friday
Falls on Apr 3
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Holy Saturday
Falls on Apr 4
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Easter Sunday
Falls on Apr 5
Food & drink
Getting around
Inter-island boats and a few flights link the atolls; on Funafuti, motorbikes and a single road suffice.
Travelling around Tuvalu’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Tuvalu 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
Tuvalu'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.
Tuvalu public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Tuvalu have?
Tuvalu has 19 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 Tuvalu is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Tuvalu'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, Tuvalu typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Tuvalu?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Tuvalu?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.