Oldest Continuously Observed Public Holidays
The oldest continuously observed public holidays have been days off — in spirit, if not in law — for well over a thousand years. Long before…
Category: Holiday Explainers
Plain-language explainers on how public holidays work, from lunar calendars to substitute days.
Newest Public Holidays: Recently Added Days Off
The newest public holidays prove that the calendar is not frozen — governments still create days off, and 2026 itself brings a brand-new one. From America’s…
Strangest Public Holidays Around the World
The strangest public holidays around the world remind us that “normal” is local. Every country’s calendar contains at least one day off that makes outsiders blink…
Which Country Has the Fewest Public Holidays?
Which country has the fewest public holidays? Among the twelve countries tracked in our 2026 holiday data, the United Kingdom has the leanest calendar with just…
Which Country Has the Most Public Holidays?
Which country has the most public holidays? Among the twelve countries tracked in our 2026 holiday data, India takes the crown with 18 gazetted public holidays…
Is Labour Day a Public Holiday in Pakistan?
Is Labour Day a public holiday in Pakistan? Yes. May 1 — observed in Pakistan as Youm-e-Mazdoor (Workers’ Day) — is an official public holiday nationwide.…
Is New Year’s Eve a Public Holiday?
Is New Year’s Eve a public holiday? In most countries, no. December 31 — the day before New Year’s Day — is a normal working day…
Is Valentine’s Day a Public Holiday?
Is Valentine’s Day a public holiday? No — not in any country. February 14 is a normal working day everywhere in the world, from the United…
Is Halloween a Public Holiday Anywhere?
Is Halloween a public holiday anywhere? No. Despite its enormous cultural footprint — costumes, candy, haunted houses, and billions in retail spending — October 31 is…
Is Thanksgiving Celebrated Outside the US?
Is Thanksgiving celebrated outside the US? Yes — though the American version, with its fourth-Thursday-of-November date and turkey-centered feast, is the most famous. Several other countries…