Planning your year ahead requires knowing the official public holidays in Belarus. Whether you’re scheduling business meetings, booking travel, or organizing family events, understanding these nationwide holidays is essential for 2026. This comprehensive guide covers all confirmed national public holidays in Belarus, focusing exclusively on days recognized across the entire country.
Official Public Holidays in Belarus 2026
Belarus observes eleven official public holidays in 2026, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage and religious diversity. Consequently, employees are entitled to paid time off on these dates, and most government offices, banks, and schools remain closed. Here’s the complete list of nationwide holidays for the year:
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| January 2 | Friday | New Year Holiday |
| January 7 | Wednesday | Orthodox Christmas |
| March 8 | Sunday | Women’s Day |
| April 20 | Monday | Public Holiday (workday moved to Saturday, April 25) |
| April 21 | Tuesday | Radunitsa (Ancestors Veneration Day) |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day |
| May 9 | Saturday | Victory Day |
| July 3 | Friday | Independence Day |
| November 7 | Saturday | October Revolution Day |
| December 25 | Friday | Catholic Christmas |
Understanding Belarus Holiday System
Belarus stands out as one of the few countries that officially recognizes both Orthodox and Catholic Christmas as national holidays. This unique arrangement reflects the country’s religious diversity, where approximately 82% of believers identify with the Eastern Orthodox Church, while 12% are Roman Catholic. However, both traditions receive equal recognition from the state, demonstrating Belarus’s commitment to religious tolerance.
The holiday calendar is established by presidential decree, giving the President of the Republic of Belarus the authority to designate official national holidays. These holidays fall into several categories: state holidays commemorating significant historical events, religious holidays honoring important dates in both Orthodox and Catholic traditions, and commemorative dates recognizing Belarus’s cultural heritage. Meanwhile, employees working on public holidays receive special compensation or alternative days off.
Key Planning Tips for 2026
Several holidays in 2026 create excellent opportunities for extended breaks. For instance, the New Year holidays on January 1 and 2 fall on Thursday and Friday, naturally forming a four-day weekend when combined with the preceding weekend. This makes it an ideal time for short trips or checking local times in different destinations if you’re planning international travel.
Similarly, Labour Day on May 1 falls on Friday, creating another three-day weekend. Independence Day on July 3 also lands on Friday, offering perfect timing for summer celebrations. Catholic Christmas on December 25 falls on Friday as well, providing a natural long weekend to close out the year. On the other hand, some holidays like Women’s Day on March 8 fall on Sunday, which means they don’t create additional weekday time off.
One notable aspect of Belarus’s 2026 calendar is the workday adjustment in April. The Monday, April 20 public holiday will be compensated by working on Saturday, April 25. This governmental practice helps balance the holiday distribution throughout the year, ensuring that both workers and businesses can plan accordingly.
Religious Holidays Explained
Belarus’s dual Christmas celebration represents a fascinating cultural tradition. Orthodox Christmas on January 7 follows the Julian calendar and includes distinctive customs such as a meatless twelve-dish meal on Christmas Eve, representing the twelve apostles. Families gather for vespers services and spend the day visiting relatives.
Catholic Christmas on December 25 follows the Gregorian calendar and shares many traditions common throughout Europe and the Americas. Nevertheless, the period between both Christmas celebrations, known as “Kaliady” (derived from the Latin word for calendar), represents a unique extended festive season in Belarus. This two-week celebration period includes caroling traditions, special meals, and various folk customs that blend Christian and pre-Christian elements.
Radunitsa, observed on April 21 in 2026, is another important religious holiday unique to Eastern European Orthodox traditions. Falling nine days after Orthodox Easter, this day honors departed loved ones. Belarusians typically visit cemeteries to clean graves, lay flowers, and pay respects to family members and friends who have passed away.
State Holidays and Historical Significance
Victory Day on May 9 commemorates the end of World War II in Europe and honors those who fought in what Belarus calls the Great Patriotic War. This remains one of the most significant holidays in Belarus, given that the country suffered tremendous losses during the war. Consequently, celebrations include military parades, memorial services, and family gatherings.
Independence Day on July 3 marks the liberation of Minsk from Nazi occupation in 1944, rather than the country’s independence from the Soviet Union. This date was chosen by referendum and reflects the importance Belarusians place on their World War II history. The holiday features large-scale celebrations, concerts, and fireworks displays that you can time perfectly with online countdown tools.
October Revolution Day on November 7 commemorates the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. While many former Soviet countries have discontinued this holiday, Belarus continues to observe it as part of its historical heritage. Furthermore, Women’s Day on March 8 celebrates women’s contributions to society and has evolved into a day of appreciation for all women, similar to Mother’s Day in other countries.
Practical Information for Visitors and Residents
During public holidays, most government offices, banks, and educational institutions close completely. However, essential services, transportation, and many retail establishments remain operational, though often with reduced hours. Tourist attractions typically stay open, making holidays excellent times to explore Belarus’s cultural sites, provided you plan ahead and check current travel guides for specific venue schedules.
International travelers should note that Belarus’s holiday calendar differs from most European countries, particularly regarding the dual Christmas observances. This creates unique scheduling considerations for business travelers and tourists alike. Booking accommodations and transportation well in advance becomes especially important around major holidays like New Year’s, Independence Day, and both Christmas celebrations.
For business purposes, it’s important to remember that Belarus doesn’t automatically move holidays that fall on weekends to the following Monday, unlike many other countries. The exception comes through presidential decree, as seen with the April 20 holiday in 2026. Therefore, always verify the specific arrangements for each holiday when planning business activities or meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which holidays are recognized nationwide in Belarus?
Belarus recognizes eleven official nationwide public holidays in 2026: New Year’s Day (January 1), New Year Holiday (January 2), Orthodox Christmas (January 7), Women’s Day (March 8), a Public Holiday on April 20, Radunitsa (April 21), Labour Day (May 1), Victory Day (May 9), Independence Day (July 3), October Revolution Day (November 7), and Catholic Christmas (December 25). All of these holidays are observed across the entire country, and employees receive paid time off.
Which holidays create long weekends in 2026?
Several holidays in 2026 create natural long weekends when they fall adjacent to weekends. The New Year holidays (January 1-2) on Thursday and Friday create a four-day weekend. Labour Day (May 1), Independence Day (July 3), and Catholic Christmas (December 25) all fall on Fridays, creating three-day weekends. Additionally, the special public holiday arrangement for April 20-21 (Monday-Tuesday) creates an extended break, though Saturday, April 25 becomes a working day to compensate.
Are any holidays subject to change?
Belarus public holidays are established by presidential decree and are generally stable year to year. However, the President of Belarus has the authority to modify holiday dates or add special non-working days through decree. The April 20 public holiday in 2026 demonstrates this flexibility, where a workday adjustment was made to create an extended holiday period. Religious holidays like Orthodox Christmas and Radunitsa follow their respective church calendars and remain fixed according to those traditions.
Why does Belarus celebrate two Christmas holidays?
Belarus officially recognizes both Orthodox Christmas (January 7) and Catholic Christmas (December 25) as national holidays, reflecting the country’s religious diversity and commitment to tolerance between confessions. The Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, while the Catholic Church uses the Gregorian calendar, resulting in different celebration dates. This dual recognition allows believers of both faiths to observe their traditions, and many Belarusian families participate in both celebrations regardless of their religious affiliation.
Do businesses close on all public holidays?
Government offices, banks, schools, and most large businesses close on all official public holidays in Belarus. However, essential services including public transportation, hospitals, pharmacies, and emergency services continue operating. Many retail stores, restaurants, and tourist attractions remain open during holidays, though they may operate with reduced hours. Some retail establishments close for half days on major holidays. It’s advisable to check specific business hours in advance, especially when planning important errands or visits around holiday dates.