Complete guide to Kuwait public holidays in 2026. Find dates for National Day, Eid, Ramadan and more.
11 Public Holidays
Estimated cost as of 2026. Prices may vary.
Kuwait's holiday calendar is split into two categories: Gregorian fixed holidays (New Year's Day Jan 1, National Day Feb 25, Liberation Day Feb 26) and Islamic holidays whose dates shift each year based on the Hijri lunar calendar. Islamic holidays include Eid Al Fitr (typically ~March 20–22), Eid Al Adha (~May 27–30), Hijri New Year (~June 17), and Ashoura (~July 7). The exact dates for Islamic holidays are only officially confirmed 1–2 weeks before they occur, which makes planning ahead tricky — especially if you're trying to book leave.
The Council of Ministers typically issues a resolution confirming holiday dates closer to the time. For 2026, Eid Al Fitr is tentatively mapped to March 20–22, but this could shift by a day or two based on moon sighting. If you're booking flights, build in buffer days rather than booking right up to the declared holiday — last-minute changes are common and won't be your airline's problem.
Once a holiday is confirmed, government offices and banks close completely. Public sector workers get the full holiday with pay; private sector treatment varies. Some private companies strictly follow the government calendar, while others (especially smaller firms) may give fewer days or ask employees to use annual leave for extra days. Always check your employment contract — it should specify how holidays are observed.
Holiday substitution rules are the most frustrating gotcha: when a holiday lands on a Friday or Saturday (the weekend in Kuwait), the government sometimes announces a substitute weekday off — but not always, and there's no consistent legal requirement forcing it. The decision often comes just days before, so don't assume you'll get a long weekend automatically. Banks tend to follow government lead on substitute days; private companies are all over the map.
For planning purposes, build your annual calendar around the fixed dates and expect Islamic holiday dates to shift. Use a calendar app that can display the Kuwait government holiday list once published. If you're in the public sector or working for a large multinational, your HR department will usually circulate the holiday schedule well in advance. If you're with a smaller private employer, don't rely on that — ask directly and get it in writing.
National Day
Liberation
Eid Fitr
Eid Adha
Labor Day
Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year, and Ashoura dates are based on the Hijri calendar and are only officially announced 1–2 weeks in advance. Airlines know this and prices spike quickly once dates are confirmed. If you book flights assuming a holiday date that later shifts by even a day, you're either stranded or out of pocket. Build flexibility into travel plans around Islamic holidays — don't book non-refundable tickets right up to the declared dates.
Kuwait gives you roughly 10–12 public holidays a year, comparable to many Western countries. The real frustration isn't the number — it's the last-minute nature of Islamic holiday confirmations, which makes planning anything around them genuinely difficult. Get into the habit of confirming dates close to the events, not at the start of the year, and always check with your employer on how private sector holidays apply to you specifically.
Fixed holidays: New Year's Day (Jan 1), National Day (Feb 25), Liberation Day (Feb 26). Islamic holidays (tentative): Eid Al Fitr (~March 20–22), Eid Al Adha (~May 27–30), Hijri New Year (~June 17), Ashoura (~July 7). Islamic dates are confirmed by government 1–2 weeks prior.
Not necessarily. Government offices and banks follow the official holiday calendar strictly. Private companies vary — some mirror the government list, others give fewer days. Check your employment contract or ask HR directly. Small businesses are the most likely to give less than the official allocation.
There's no consistent rule. The government sometimes announces a substitute weekday off, sometimes doesn't. The decision typically comes just days before. Don't assume a long weekend is guaranteed — check the official announcement each time.
In the private sector, this is between you and your employer — some companies allow it, especially for projects with hard deadlines. Government sector workers generally don't have this flexibility. There's no legal requirement to provide substitute days off in the private sector unless your contract specifies it.
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