| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2026-02-21 | Father Lini Day | National |
| 2026-03-05 | Custom Chief's Day | National |
| 2026-04-03 | Good Friday | National |
| 2026-04-06 | Easter Monday | National |
| 2026-05-01 | Labour Day | National |
| 2026-05-14 | Ascension Day | National |
| 2026-07-24 | Children's Day | National |
| 2026-07-30 | Independence Day | National |
| 2026-08-15 | Assumption Day | National |
| 2026-10-05 | Constitution Day | National |
| 2026-11-29 | Unity Day | National |
| 2026-11-30 | Unity Day (observed) | Substitute |
| 2026-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
| 2026-12-26 | Family Day | National |
How many public holidays does Vanuatu have in 2026?
Vanuatu has 15 public holidays in 2026: 14 national holidays, 1 substitute day. The dates run from 1 January 2026 to 26 December 2026, and no public holiday falls in June, September. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Vanuatu's public holiday count compares.
Long weekends in Vanuatu 2026
Vanuatu's public holidays create 6 long weekends in 2026 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Fri 3 - Mon 6 April: Good Friday (4-day weekend, Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April).
- Fri 1 - Sun 3 May: Labour Day (3-day weekend, Friday 1 May to Sunday 3 May).
- Fri 24 - Sun 26 July: Children's Day (3-day weekend, Friday 24 July to Sunday 26 July).
- Sat 3 - Mon 5 October: Constitution Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 3 October to Monday 5 October).
- Sat 28 - Mon 30 November: Unity Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 28 November to Monday 30 November).
- Fri 25 - Sun 27 December: Christmas Day (3-day weekend, Friday 25 December to Sunday 27 December).
Observed and substitute holidays in Vanuatu 2026
A substitute holiday is a day off moved to a nearby working weekday when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The legal date never changes - only the day most people actually get off.
- 30 November 2026 (Monday) - given as the day off for Unity Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
Regional variations are common; see public holidays across Oceania for the wider picture.
Public holidays in Vanuatu: is your date a holiday in 2026?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Vanuatu in 2026. If the date you are checking appears there, it is a day off; if it does not, it is not a public holiday - however widely it may be marked.
For example, 1 January 2026 is New Year's Day, a public holiday in Vanuatu.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Vanuatu (2026)
Our Vanuatu public holidays guide explains the background of each holiday and how the dates are set.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day falls on 1 January and opens the Gregorian calendar year. Most countries mark it with a public holiday, and celebrations usually begin the night before with countdowns, fireworks and gatherings. The date was fixed in its current position by Julius Caesar's calendar reform, and later preserved by the Gregorian reform of 1582. traditions vary widely, from first-footing in Scotland to writing resolutions for the months ahead.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a public holiday in most countries with Christian traditions, and businesses, banks and schools often close. Observance is typically solemn, with church services, processions and in some places Passion plays. The date moves each year because Easter is calculated from the first full moon following the March equinox.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and forms the final day of the Easter octave in Western Christianity. It is a public holiday in many European, Commonwealth and Latin American countries, effectively extending the Easter weekend. Because it is tied to the movable date of Easter, it falls between late March and late April. Traditional customs include egg rolling, picnics and family outings.
Labour Day
Labour Day honours workers and the trade union movement. The spelling varies by country, but the observance is essentially the same as Labor Day. Most nations hold it on 1 May as International Workers' Day, commemorating the Haymarket affair of 1886 and the campaign for an eight hour day. New Zealand and several Australian states observe it in October, and the United States and Canada in September.
Ascension Day
Ascension Day commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven, held on the fortieth day of Easter, always a Thursday. It is a public holiday in many European countries including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Because it is tied to Easter, the date falls between 30 April and 3 June. In several countries it also serves as a traditional day for outdoor excursions.