There are 16 public holidays in the Maldives in 2023, four of which fall on 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.
Ramadan Start
Ramadan Start observed on March 23, 2023, is a public holiday in Muslim countries. Ramadan is a month of fasting, and Muslims will fast for the whole month of Ramadan, and Awal Ramadan is the first day starting the fasting. The fasting is only during daylight, starting right before dawn and ending at sunset.
Eid al-Fitr
Muslims worldwide celebrate this religious holiday, 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.
Labor 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.
Hajj Day
Hajj Day, or Arafat Day, is the holiest day in the Islamic calendar, and it is observed on June 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 is an important Muslim festival. The holiday falls on June 28, 2023, and it honors the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command.
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.
Independence Day
Independence Day, observed on July 26, 2023, commemorates the anniversary of the Maldives gaining independence from the United Kingdom on July 26, 1965.
National Day
National Day, also known as Qaumee Dhuvas in the Indo-Aryan language of Dhivehi, is a public holiday in the Maldives, observed on September 16, 2023. National Day celebrates the victory of Muhammad Thakurufaanu over the Portuguese occupation of the Maldives in 1573.
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 Day Maldives Embraced Islam
The Day Maldives Embraced Islam, Observed on October 17, 2023, commemorates the cornerstone when the Maldives converted to Islam from Buddhism. The Maldives had cultural and economic ties with its nearest neighbors, Sri Lanka and India, for centuries, and Buddhism was the original religion of the islanders.
Victory Day
Victory Day is a public holiday in the Maldives, observed on November 3, 2023. The holiday commemorates the victory of the attempted coup which aimed to overthrow President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 1988.
Republic Day
Republic Day is a public holiday in the Maldives, observed on November 11 each year. The holiday commemorates the end of the monarchy and the establishment of the Republic of the Maldives in 1968.
The following is the list of public holidays in Maldives 2023.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 01, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Public Holiday | Feb 6, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Ramadan Start | 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 |
| Labor Day | May 01, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Hajj Day | Jun 27, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Adha | Jun 28, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Islamic New Year | Jul 19, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Independence Day | Jul 26, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| National Day | Sep 16, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Prophet's Birthday | Sep 27, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| The Day Maldives Embraced Islam | Oct 17, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Victory Day | Nov 03, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Republic Day | Nov 11, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in the Maldives in 2023.