All holidays at a glance
| Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Jan | Friday | New Year's Day – public holiday |
| 2nd Jan | Saturday | Rest day |
| 3rd Jan | Sunday | May be off – compensation (New Year's Day on Friday) |
| 4th Jan | Monday | May be off – bridge day |
| 5th Jan | Tuesday | Isra' & Mi'raj – public holiday |
| Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Jan | Friday | New Year's Day – public holiday |
| 2nd Jan | Saturday | Rest day |
| 3rd Jan | Sunday | May be off – compensation (New Year's Day on Friday) |
| 4th Jan | Monday | May be off – bridge day |
| 5th Jan | Tuesday | Isra' & Mi'raj – public holiday |
| 6th Jan | Wednesday | May be off – bridge day |
| 7th Jan | Thursday | May be off – bridge day |
| 8th Jan | Friday | Weekly off day |
| 9th Jan | Saturday | Rest day |
| Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 25th Feb | Thursday | National Day – public holiday |
| 26th Feb | Friday | Liberation Day – public holiday |
| 27th Feb | Saturday | Rest day |
| 28th Feb | Sunday | May be off – compensation (Liberation Day on Friday) |
| Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 25th Feb | Thursday | National Day – public holiday |
| 26th Feb | Friday | Liberation Day – public holiday |
| 27th Feb | Saturday | Rest day |
| 28th Feb | Sunday | May be off – compensation (Liberation Day on Friday) |
| Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 5th Mar | Friday | Weekly off day |
| 6th Mar | Saturday | Rest day |
| 7th Mar | Sunday | May be off – bridge day |
| 8th Mar | Monday | May be off – bridge day |
| 9th Mar | Tuesday | Eid Al-Fitr – public holiday |
| 10th Mar | Wednesday | Eid Al-Fitr – public holiday |
| 11th Mar | Thursday | Eid Al-Fitr – public holiday |
| 12th Mar | Friday | Weekly off day |
| 13th Mar | Saturday | Rest day |
| Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 14th May | Friday | Weekly off day |
| 15th May | Saturday | Arafat Day – public holiday |
| 16th May | Sunday | Eid Al-Adha – public holiday |
| 17th May | Monday | Eid Al-Adha – public holiday |
| 18th May | Tuesday | Eid Al-Adha – public holiday |
| 19th May | Wednesday | May be off – bridge day |
| 20th May | Thursday | May be off – bridge day |
| 21st May | Friday | Weekly off day |
| 22nd May | Saturday | Rest day |
| Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 14th May | Friday | Weekly off day |
| 15th May | Saturday | Arafat Day – public holiday |
| 16th May | Sunday | Eid Al-Adha – public holiday |
| 17th May | Monday | Eid Al-Adha – public holiday |
| 18th May | Tuesday | Eid Al-Adha – public holiday |
| 19th May | Wednesday | May be off – bridge day |
| 20th May | Thursday | May be off – bridge day |
| 21st May | Friday | Weekly off day |
| 22nd May | Saturday | Rest day |
| Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 4th Jun | Friday | Weekly off day |
| 5th Jun | Saturday | Rest day |
| 6th Jun | Sunday | Islamic New Year – public holiday |
| Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 13th Aug | Friday | Weekly off day |
| 14th Aug | Saturday | Prophet's Birthday – public holiday |
| Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 24th Dec | Friday | Weekly off day |
| 25th Dec | Saturday | Isra' & Mi'raj – public holiday |
Tap a holiday name to jump to its details. "May be off" days depend on a government announcement.
- Public holiday
- Declared day off
- Possible day off
- Fri weekly off · Sat rest day
January 2027
New Year's Day رأس السنة الميلادية
- 1st Jan, Friday: New Year's Day – public holiday (falls on Friday, the weekly off day)
- 2nd Jan, Saturday: Rest day
- 3rd Jan, Sunday: Possible day off – New Year's Day falls on Friday (the weekly off day), so this day may be declared off as compensation by government announcement.
- 4th Jan, Monday: Possible bridge day – a working day squeezed between days off, which the government sometimes declares a rest day to join them into one long break.
- 5th Jan, Tuesday: Isra' & Mi'raj – public holiday
2-day break · up to 5 days if rest days are declared · Back to work Sun 3 Jan (or later)
About this holiday
Kuwait welcomes the Gregorian new year with a public holiday on 1 January. Fireworks light up the Kuwait Towers and the Arabian Gulf Street waterfront, and hotels across the city hold countdown celebrations.
- A fixed-date holiday, always 1 January.
- When it falls on Thursday or Sunday, everyone gets a natural 3-day weekend.
Isra' & Mi'raj الإسراء والمعراج
- 1st Jan, Friday: New Year's Day – public holiday (falls on Friday, the weekly off day)
- 2nd Jan, Saturday: Rest day
- 3rd Jan, Sunday: Possible day off – New Year's Day falls on Friday (the weekly off day), so this day may be declared off as compensation by government announcement.
- 4th Jan, Monday: Possible bridge day – a working day squeezed between days off, which the government sometimes declares a rest day to join them into one long break.
- 5th Jan, Tuesday: Isra' & Mi'raj – public holiday
- 6th Jan, Wednesday: Possible bridge day – a working day squeezed between days off, which the government sometimes declares a rest day to join them into one long break.
- 7th Jan, Thursday: Possible bridge day – a working day squeezed between days off, which the government sometimes declares a rest day to join them into one long break.
- 8th Jan, Friday: Weekly off day
- 9th Jan, Saturday: Rest day
1 day off · up to 9 days if rest days are declared · Back to work Wed 6 Jan (or later)
Expected on Tuesday 5 January (or the 6th, depending on moon sighting). A mid-week holiday like this is often moved to Thursday or Sunday.
About this holiday
Marks the Night Journey of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and his ascension through the heavens. The five daily prayers were prescribed on this night. It falls on 27 Rajab.
- Observed on 27 Rajab of the Hijri calendar.
- Kuwait often moves this holiday to a Sunday or Thursday to create a long weekend.
February 2027
National Day العيد الوطني
- 25th Feb, Thursday: National Day – public holiday
- 26th Feb, Friday: Liberation Day – public holiday (falls on Friday, the weekly off day)
- 27th Feb, Saturday: Rest day
- 28th Feb, Sunday: Possible day off – Liberation Day falls on Friday (the weekly off day), so this day may be declared off as compensation by government announcement.
3-day break · up to 4 days if rest days are declared · Back to work Sun 28 Feb (or later)
About this holiday
Celebrates Kuwait's independence and the accession of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the 'Father of the Constitution'. Kuwait gained independence on 19 June 1961, and the celebration was moved to 25 February to avoid the summer heat.
- The whole country is decorated in green, white, red and black.
- Part of the month-long 'Hala February' festival of concerts, parades and fireworks.
Liberation Day عيد التحرير
- 25th Feb, Thursday: National Day – public holiday
- 26th Feb, Friday: Liberation Day – public holiday (falls on Friday, the weekly off day)
- 27th Feb, Saturday: Rest day
- 28th Feb, Sunday: Possible day off – Liberation Day falls on Friday (the weekly off day), so this day may be declared off as compensation by government announcement.
3-day break · up to 4 days if rest days are declared · Back to work Sun 28 Feb (or later)
About this holiday
Commemorates 26 February 1991, when Kuwait was liberated from the Iraqi occupation that began on 2 August 1990, with the support of the international coalition in Operation Desert Storm. It is a day of pride, remembrance and gratitude.
- Always follows National Day, so the two make one long national break.
- Families gather on Gulf Road for flag-waving car parades and celebrations.
March 2027
Eid Al-Fitr عيد الفطر
- 5th Mar, Friday: Weekly off day
- 6th Mar, Saturday: Rest day
- 7th Mar, Sunday: Possible bridge day – a working day squeezed between days off, which the government sometimes declares a rest day to join them into one long break.
- 8th Mar, Monday: Possible bridge day – a working day squeezed between days off, which the government sometimes declares a rest day to join them into one long break.
- 9th Mar, Tuesday: Eid Al-Fitr – public holiday
- 10th Mar, Wednesday: Eid Al-Fitr – public holiday
- 11th Mar, Thursday: Eid Al-Fitr – public holiday
- 12th Mar, Friday: Weekly off day
- 13th Mar, Saturday: Rest day
5-day break · up to 9 days if rest days are declared · Back to work Sun 14 Mar
Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027. Eid could start a day later depending on the moon sighting.
About this holiday
The 'Festival of Breaking the Fast' marks the end of Ramadan on 1 Shawwal. The day begins with the Eid prayer, followed by family visits, diwaniya gatherings, new clothes, sweets, and 'Eidiya' gifts of money for children.
- The exact date depends on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon.
- Zakat Al-Fitr (charity) must be paid before the Eid prayer.
May 2027
Arafat Day يوم عرفة
- 14th May, Friday: Weekly off day
- 15th May, Saturday: Arafat Day – public holiday (falls on Saturday, the rest day)
- 16th May, Sunday: Eid Al-Adha – public holiday
- 17th May, Monday: Eid Al-Adha – public holiday
- 18th May, Tuesday: Eid Al-Adha – public holiday
- 19th May, Wednesday: Possible bridge day – a working day squeezed between days off, which the government sometimes declares a rest day to join them into one long break.
- 20th May, Thursday: Possible bridge day – a working day squeezed between days off, which the government sometimes declares a rest day to join them into one long break.
- 21st May, Friday: Weekly off day
- 22nd May, Saturday: Rest day
5-day break · up to 9 days if rest days are declared · Back to work Wed 19 May (or later)
About this holiday
The holiest day of the Hajj, on 9 Dhul-Hijjah, when pilgrims stand in prayer on the plain of Mount Arafat. Muslims who are not on Hajj are encouraged to fast on this day.
- The day before Eid Al-Adha, so it opens the Eid holiday.
- Fasting on Arafat Day is a highly recommended Sunnah.
Eid Al-Adha عيد الأضحى
- 14th May, Friday: Weekly off day
- 15th May, Saturday: Arafat Day – public holiday (falls on Saturday, the rest day)
- 16th May, Sunday: Eid Al-Adha – public holiday
- 17th May, Monday: Eid Al-Adha – public holiday
- 18th May, Tuesday: Eid Al-Adha – public holiday
- 19th May, Wednesday: Possible bridge day – a working day squeezed between days off, which the government sometimes declares a rest day to join them into one long break.
- 20th May, Thursday: Possible bridge day – a working day squeezed between days off, which the government sometimes declares a rest day to join them into one long break.
- 21st May, Friday: Weekly off day
- 22nd May, Saturday: Rest day
5-day break · up to 9 days if rest days are declared · Back to work Wed 19 May (or later)
About this holiday
The 'Festival of Sacrifice' honours Prophet Ibrahim's devotion to God. Families perform the Udhiyah (sacrifice) and share the meat with relatives, neighbours and those in need. It begins on 10 Dhul-Hijjah, during the Hajj season.
- Usually the longest public-sector break of the year in Kuwait.
- Sacrifice meat is traditionally divided into three shares.
June 2027
Islamic New Year رأس السنة الهجرية
- 4th Jun, Friday: Weekly off day
- 5th Jun, Saturday: Rest day
- 6th Jun, Sunday: Islamic New Year – public holiday
3-day break · Back to work Mon 7 Jun
About this holiday
1 Muharram opens the Hijri year, which counts from the Prophet's migration (Hijra) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. It is a quiet day of reflection and new beginnings.
- The Hijri year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year.
- If Dhul-Hijjah runs 30 days, the holiday shifts one day later.
August 2027
Prophet's Birthday المولد النبوي الشريف
- 13th Aug, Friday: Weekly off day
- 14th Aug, Saturday: Prophet's Birthday – public holiday (falls on Saturday, the rest day)
2-day break · Back to work Sun 15 Aug
Expected on a Saturday (possibly Sunday 15 August after moon sighting).
About this holiday
Celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on 12 Rabi Al-Awwal. Many people spend it with lectures on his life, poetry in his praise, and acts of charity.
- Kuwait frequently shifts it to Thursday for a 3-day weekend.
- When it falls mid-week, the day off may be moved to Thursday or Sunday.
December 2027
Isra' & Mi'raj الإسراء والمعراج
- 24th Dec, Friday: Weekly off day
- 25th Dec, Saturday: Isra' & Mi'raj – public holiday (falls on Saturday, the rest day)
2-day break · Back to work Sun 26 Dec
Because the Hijri year is shorter, Isra' & Mi'raj comes twice in 2027.
About this holiday
Marks the Night Journey of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and his ascension through the heavens. The five daily prayers were prescribed on this night. It falls on 27 Rajab.
- Observed on 27 Rajab of the Hijri calendar.
- Kuwait often moves this holiday to a Sunday or Thursday to create a long weekend.
No holidays match this filter.
How rest days & bridge holidays work in Kuwait
In Kuwait, Friday is the weekly off day and Saturday is the rest day. When a holiday leaves just one or two working days stranded before the weekend – say the holidays end on Wednesday and Thursday is a working day – the Council of Ministers sometimes declares that day a rest day too, turning it into one long break.
If a public holiday falls on Friday, the next working day may be declared off as compensation by government announcement. The Cabinet may also move a mid-week Islamic holiday to Thursday or Sunday to create a long weekend.
Days marked "possible" follow this pattern but are not guaranteed. Rest days usually apply to ministries and government bodies; private-sector staff are entitled to the 13 official holiday days under the Labour Law, and should check with their employer.
Islamic holidays follow the lunar Hijri calendar and are confirmed by moon sighting, so "expected" dates may move by a day. Rest days are set by Cabinet decision, usually a week or two before each holiday.