There are 18 public holidays in Iraq in 2023, seven of which fall on weekends: Friday and Saturday.
New Year's Day
New Year Holiday, celebrated on January 1, 2023, is the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar, and it is one of the most popular holidays in the world.
Army Day
Army Day, observed on January 6, 2023, is a public holiday in Iraq, and it is observed on January 6 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of when the first Iraqi military forces were established by the British in 1921.
Nowruz
Nowruz is also known as the Iranian New Year or Persian New Year. It is the first day of Farvardin, the first month of the Iranian solar calendar. Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar. The holiday falls on March 21, 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.
Labour Day
Labour Day is observed on May 1, 2023, and it celebrates 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.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, also known as the festival of sacrifice, is an important Muslim festival. The holiday lasts four days from June 28, 2023 to July 1, 2023, and it honors the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command.
Republic Day
Republic Day is a public holiday in Iraq, and it is observed on July 14, 2023. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of when the Iraqi republic was established, which was also the day when the Hashemite monarchy was overthrown in Iraq through the July 14 Revolution in 1958.
Islamic New Year
Islamic New Year marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar year, and it is observed on the first day of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It falls on July 19, 2023.
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 27, 2023.
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 he was a deeply spiritual man spending time in meditation.
National Day
National Day, observed on October 3, 2023, is a public holiday in Iraq, and it is observed on October 3 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of when Iraq gained independence from the British in 1932.
Anniversary of Victory over ISIS
The Anniversary of Victory over ISIS, observed on December 10, 2023, commemorates the anniversary of the victory over the Islamic State. The Islamic State emerged from al Qaeda in Iraq and changed its name to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in 2013.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25, 2023, and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christmas Day is a holiday of sharing. People exchange Christmas gifts and cards with families and friends.
The following is the list of public holidays in Iraq 2023.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 01, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Army Day | Jan 06, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Nowruz | Mar 21, 2023 | Tuesday | 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 |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2023 | Monday | 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 |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday | Jul 01, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Republic Day | Jul 14, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Islamic New Year | Jul 19, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Ashura | Jul 27, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Prophet's Birthday | Sep 27, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| National Day | Oct 03, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Anniversary of Victory over ISIS | Dec 10, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in Iraq in 2023.