In Afghanistan, the weekends fall on Friday and Saturday. There are 11 public holidays with 15 days in 2023. Six days fall on weekends.
Liberation Day
Liberation Day is a public holiday observed on February 15, marking the final withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Afghanistan on February 15, 1989.
Start of Ramadan
The Start of Ramadan is also called Awal Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of fasting, and Muslims will fast for the whole month of Ramadan. The Start of Ramadan is the first day starting the fasting, and it falls on March 23, 2023.
Eid al-Fitr
This is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide celebrating the end of a month of fasting. The holiday falls on the first day of Syawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The holiday lasts three days from April 21 to April 23, 2023.
Victory Day
Victory Day is observed on April 28, 2023. The holiday commemorates the day when Mujahideen rebel forces overthrew the Communist regime in 1992.
International Workers' Day
International Workers' Day, observed on May 01, 2023, is to celebrate the achievements of workers. The holiday originates in the eight-hour day movement, which is eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
Arafat Day
Arafat Day is the holiest day in the Islamic calendar and it is observed on Jun 27, 2023, the day before Eid al-Adha. Arafat Day commemorates Muhammad's Farewell Sermon and the completion of the message of Islam.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, also known as the festival of sacrifice, is an important Muslim festival. The holiday lasts three days from June 28, 2023 to June 30, 2023, and it honors the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command.
Ashura
Ashura means "tenth" in Semitic languages, and it marks the day that Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh by God creating a path in the Sea. The holiday falls on July 28 in 2023.
Independence Day
The holiday is observed on August 19 in 2023, and it commemorates the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919, in which Afghanistan was granted complete neutral relations between Afghanistan and Britain.
The Prophet's Birthday
The holiday, observed on September 27, 2023, commemorates the birthday of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. Muhammad was born around 570 AD in Mecca and was a deeply spiritual man spending time in meditation.
The following is the list of public holidays in Afghanistan 2023.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberation Day | Feb 15, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Start of Ramadan | Mar 23, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Fitr | Apr 21, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Apr 22, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Apr 23, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Victory Day | Apr 28, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| International Workers' Day | May 01, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Arafat Day | Jun 27, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Adha | Jun 28, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday | Jun 29, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday | Jun 30, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Ashura | Jul 28, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Independence Day | Aug 19, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| The Withdrawal of the Last American Soldier | Aug 31, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| The Prophet's Birthday | Sep 27, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in Afghanistan in 2023.