Planning your year ahead requires knowing the official public holidays in Palestine for 2026. These nationwide holidays affect work schedules, business operations, and travel arrangements across the Palestinian territories. Whether you’re organizing business meetings, scheduling personal travel, or coordinating with government offices, having this comprehensive list ensures you can plan effectively around official non-working days. This guide includes only confirmed national public holidays recognized throughout Palestine, excluding regional or local observances.
Official Public Holidays in Palestine 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | National |
| March 28 | Saturday | Isra and Mi’raj (The Prophet’s Ascension) | Islamic |
| March 30 | Monday | Eid al-Fitr | Islamic |
| April 11 | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Day 2) | Islamic |
| April 12 | Sunday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Day 3) | Islamic |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day | National |
| June 17 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha | Islamic |
| June 18 | Thursday | Eid al-Adha Holiday (Day 2) | Islamic |
| June 19 | Friday | Eid al-Adha Holiday (Day 3) | Islamic |
| July 8 | Wednesday | Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) | Islamic |
| September 15 | Tuesday | Mawlid al-Nabi (The Prophet’s Birthday) | Islamic |
| November 15 | Sunday | Independence Day | National |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Christian |
Important Note: Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar and depend on moon sighting. Consequently, the exact dates may shift by one or two days. The dates listed above represent the most likely dates based on astronomical calculations, however, official confirmation typically comes closer to each holiday.
Understanding Palestine’s Holiday Structure
Palestine’s public holidays reflect the region’s rich cultural and religious diversity. The holiday calendar combines Islamic observances, Christian celebrations, and national commemorative days. Islamic holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar, which means they occur approximately 11 days earlier each solar year. This explains why dates for Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and other Islamic holidays change annually according to the Gregorian calendar.
National holidays like Labour Day and Independence Day remain fixed on the Gregorian calendar. Meanwhile, Christmas Day honors the Christian community, which represents a significant minority in Palestinian society. Public offices, banks, and most businesses close on these official holidays, although essential services typically continue operating with reduced staff.
Key Holidays and Long Weekends in 2026
New Year’s Day – January 1
The year begins with New Year’s Day falling on a Thursday, offering a potential long weekend if combined with Friday or personal leave. This secular holiday is celebrated nationwide with family gatherings and community events. Furthermore, many businesses use this time to close for inventory and planning purposes.
Eid al-Fitr – March 30 to April 12
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. This celebration spans multiple days, with the main holiday on March 30, followed by additional days on April 11-12. The extended break creates excellent opportunities for family reunions and domestic travel. Nevertheless, travelers should note that shops and restaurants may have modified hours throughout this period. To help you track time during celebrations, you might find our timer tools useful for meal planning and scheduling prayers.
Labour Day – May 1
International Workers’ Day honors the labor movement and workers’ rights. Falling on a Friday in 2026, this holiday naturally extends into the weekend. Therefore, it provides a three-day break for most workers, making it ideal for short getaways or home projects.
Eid al-Adha – June 17-19
Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. This major Islamic holiday spans three days from June 17-19, with Wednesday through Friday marked as public holidays. The timing creates a natural long weekend, encouraging family gatherings and charitable activities. Additionally, this period sees increased travel as families visit relatives and pilgrims return from Hajj.
Independence Day – November 15
Palestine’s Independence Day falls on a Sunday in 2026, commemorating the 1988 declaration of independence. While the holiday itself provides a day of national pride and reflection, its Sunday placement means most workers won’t receive an additional day off. However, public celebrations, cultural events, and patriotic displays mark this significant date throughout Palestinian communities.
Christmas Day – December 25
Christmas Day concludes the year on a Friday, providing another natural long weekend opportunity. This holiday holds particular significance in Bethlehem and other Palestinian cities with Christian populations. On the other hand, many Muslim families also participate in festive activities, reflecting Palestine’s tradition of interfaith harmony.
Planning Tips for 2026 Holidays
Strategic planning around public holidays can maximize your time off while respecting cultural observances. Consider these practical tips when organizing your 2026 calendar:
First, book travel and accommodations early for major holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as these periods see high demand for transportation and hotels. Second, schedule important business meetings and deadlines outside multi-day holiday periods to ensure full participation and timely completion. Third, remember that government offices and banks close on all listed holidays, so plan essential transactions accordingly.
Moreover, check current local times when coordinating with international partners, as Palestine observes daylight saving time changes that may affect scheduling. Additionally, restaurants and shops may maintain reduced hours during Islamic holidays, particularly during Ramadan leading up to Eid al-Fitr.
Islamic Holiday Date Variability
One crucial aspect of holiday planning in Palestine involves understanding Islamic calendar mechanics. The Hijri calendar follows lunar months of 29 or 30 days, determined by actual moon sighting or astronomical calculations. Consequently, authorities typically announce exact holiday dates only days before they occur.
While this guide provides astronomically calculated dates for Islamic holidays, you should verify these dates closer to each holiday through official Palestinian Authority announcements. This variability particularly affects long-term planning for international business or travel arrangements. Therefore, building flexibility into your schedule around these dates proves essential.
Religious and Cultural Observances
Palestine’s holiday calendar beautifully illustrates its diverse heritage. Islamic holidays constitute the majority of public holidays, reflecting the region’s predominantly Muslim population. These include the two major Eids, the Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid al-Nabi), and the Islamic New Year.
Christian holidays, particularly Christmas, receive full recognition as national public holidays, demonstrating Palestine’s respect for its Christian community. Orthodox Christmas on January 7, though noted on some calendars, is not a universal public holiday, although banks may close. This inclusive approach to religious holidays showcases Palestinian society’s commitment to acknowledging its multicultural composition.
Impact on Business and Travel
Understanding how public holidays affect business operations and travel plans is essential for anyone working in or visiting Palestine. During major holidays, especially the multi-day celebrations of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, expect significant changes in daily operations.
Government offices, schools, and banks close entirely on these days, while private businesses often maintain modified schedules. Transportation services may run reduced routes, and international border crossings can experience increased congestion as families travel. Planning ahead helps you avoid disappointments and ensures smooth operations during holiday periods.
For international business partners, coordinating with Palestinian colleagues becomes particularly important around these holidays. Meanwhile, tourists should research attraction opening hours and consider how holidays might enhance or limit their experiences. For example, visiting during Christmas in Bethlehem offers unique cultural experiences, whereas travel during Eid periods might present logistical challenges.
Labour Law and Holiday Entitlements
Labour Law No. 7, enacted in 2000, governs public holidays and worker entitlements in Palestine. This legislation replaced previous Egyptian and Jordanian labor laws that separately governed Gaza and the West Bank. The law establishes that employees working on official public holidays are entitled to compensatory time off or additional pay.
Furthermore, the Palestinian National Authority formally declares all national holidays, ensuring uniformity across Palestinian territories. Employers must recognize these holidays in employment contracts and compensate employees appropriately if work during these periods proves necessary. Understanding these legal frameworks helps both employers and employees navigate holiday scheduling and compensation issues properly.
How to Stay Updated on Holiday Changes
Given the lunar calendar’s influence on Islamic holidays, staying informed about potential date changes is crucial. The Palestinian Authority typically announces exact dates for Islamic holidays shortly before they occur, once moon sighting confirms the start of the relevant Islamic month.
To stay current with any holiday adjustments or additional commemorative days, check official Palestinian Authority websites and local news sources regularly, particularly as major Islamic holidays approach. Our comprehensive time and date guides can also help you understand time-related planning across different regions and calendars. Meanwhile, following official government social media accounts provides real-time updates about holiday announcements and scheduling changes.
Conclusion
The 2026 public holiday calendar for Palestine offers numerous opportunities for rest, celebration, and cultural observance throughout the year. From the beginning of the year with New Year’s Day to the closing celebration of Christmas, these 13 official holidays provide regular breaks for workers and families across Palestinian territories.
By planning ahead and remaining flexible around Islamic holiday dates, you can maximize your time off while respecting important cultural and religious observances. Whether you’re scheduling business operations, planning family travel, or simply organizing your personal calendar, this comprehensive guide to Palestine’s 2026 public holidays serves as your essential planning resource.
Remember to bookmark this page and check back regularly for any updates to holiday dates, particularly for Islamic holidays that depend on lunar observations. With proper planning and awareness of these official holidays, you can navigate 2026 with confidence and make the most of your time throughout the year.