Public Holidays in Maldives 2026 | World Holidays
List of 16 public holidays in Maldives for 2026, including New Year's Day, First Day of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and more.
Traveler's Guide & Cultural Context
The holiday culture in the Maldives is a vibrant tapestry of Islamic heritage and island spirit, where major events like Eid are celebrated with communal feasts, Boduberu drumming, and traditional dances that bring entire island communities together.
Holiday Impact on Travel
Expect significant closures of government offices and local shops in Malé and inhabited islands during major holidays. Inter-island ferry services often run on limited schedules, though private resort transfers and operations generally continue without interruption.
Business Etiquette
Avoid planning critical business meetings during Ramadan, as professional life slows down and working hours are reduced. It is customary to respect the fasting period and offer greetings like 'Eid Mubarak' to local partners after the month ends.
Best Time to Visit
Visit during the Eid festivals if you want to witness local culture and traditional sports. If you prefer a seamless travel experience with full service availability in local areas, visit between January and April, avoiding the fasting month of Ramadan.
Traditional Greetings
The most widely used greeting is 'Eid Mubarak.' In the local Dhivehi language, you can also say 'Ufauveri Eid-akah edhen' to wish someone a happy and prosperous holiday.
- New Year's Day (2026-01-01): Celebrates the start of the new calendar year.
- First Day of Ramadan (2026-03-20): Marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
- Eid al-Fitr (2026-04-19): Celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
- Eid al-Fitr Holiday (2026-04-20): Second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
- Eid al-Fitr Holiday (2026-04-21): Third day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
- Labour Day (2026-05-01): Celebrates workers' rights and contributions.
- Hajj Day (2026-06-26): Day of Hajj, preceding Eid al-Adha.
- Eid al-Adha (2026-06-27): Feast of Sacrifice, honoring Ibrahim.
- Eid al-Adha Holiday (2026-06-28): Second day of Eid al-Adha celebrations.
- Eid al-Adha Holiday (2026-06-29): Third day of Eid al-Adha celebrations.
- Islamic New Year (2026-07-17): Marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year.
- Independence Day (2026-07-26): Celebrates independence from the United Kingdom.
- National Day (2026-09-14): Commemorates the victory of Muhammad Thakurufaanu over the Portuguese.
- The Prophet's Birthday (2026-09-24): Celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
- Victory Day (2026-11-03): Celebrating the victory over the 1988 coup attempt.
- Republic Day (2026-11-11): Marks the transition from monarchy to republic.