You might not think about it often, but public holidays are a big deal. These are the special days when you can take a break from work or school, spend time with family and friends, or celebrate important events. Every country has its own set of holidays, some having more days off than others.
Imagine having a few extra days each year to relax or join in on festive traditions. Well, in some places around the world, people get to enjoy a large number of public holidays. The reasons vary, from cultural and religious celebrations to historical commemorations. Curious yet? Let’s take a peek into the countries that top the list with the most public holidays.
10. China
In China, you get to enjoy between 11-17 public holidays each year. These holidays span traditional celebrations like the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, which is the biggest one. You might have the chance to take part in the festivities that often start in late January or early February.
Other holidays include the National Day on October 1, which marks the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Expect grand celebrations and, if you’re working there, some days off to join in the fun!
9. Trinidad And Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago hands out 18 public holidays every year, landing it near the top globally for days off.
The calendar here is a lively mix—Christian holidays like Christmas and Good Friday, Hindu festivals such as Diwali, and Eid for the Muslim community. It’s a direct reflection of just how diverse these islands are.
Public holidays give you a front-row seat to Carnival, one of the Caribbean’s biggest parties, plus time off for Independence Day and other national events.
8. Philippines
The Philippines offers 18 official public holidays each year, putting it in eigth place worldwide. Your calendar fills up fast with a blend of religious and national events.
Christmas and Easter are massive, since the Philippines is mostly Christian. You’ll also spot Independence Day and holidays marking key moments in the country’s history. Regular holidays mean paid time off, but special non-working days might be handled differently depending on your job.
Local festivals pile on even more celebration days, though they don’t always count as official public holidays. Each region has its own unique fiestas for patron saints or harvests.
7. Colombia
Colombia gives you 18 public holidays each year, so you’re looking at a pretty generous schedule.
The country’s holidays blend Christian traditions with national milestones. Most fall on Mondays, creating those coveted long weekends—locals call this “puente,” or bridge.
Independence Day is July 20th, but you also get days off for Easter, Christmas, the Battle of Boyacá, and the Immaculate Conception.
Back in the 1980s, the government started moving holidays to Mondays. It’s made travel and family time a lot easier for everyone.
6. Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan celebrates 21 public holidays every year—one of the highest tallies anywhere.
Its holidays are a patchwork of cultural traditions, religious events, and historical milestones. Some honor Kazakhstan’s deep past, while others focus on its modern identity.
With a population of about 18.5 million spread across a massive landscape, these holidays are observed nationwide.
Plenty of time to celebrate, right? The calendar is packed, from religious occasions to national achievements and heritage days.
5. India
In India, you get to enjoy 21 public holidays each year. Each state has its own set of holidays, but there are several national ones that everyone looks forward to. You’ll find that many of these days off are tied to festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Eid.
Given the country’s rich diversity, your calendar will be dotted with a variety of cultural and religious celebrations. Just remember, if you’re planning a trip or have business, it’s best to check the holiday schedule since it can vary depending on where you are in India.
4. Myanmar
Myanmar racks up 26 public holidays a year, making it one of the most generous countries for days off. You can thank its wild mix of cultures and religions for that.
With over 130 ethnic groups speaking more than 100 languages, the holiday list pulls from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Islamic traditions.
Thingyan—the Burmese New Year water festival in April—is a highlight, and Buddhist full-moon pagoda days are huge, too. Many festivals stretch across multiple days, so you get lots of time to actually enjoy them.
3. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka gives you 25 public holidays each year. That’s a hefty chunk of time off, even compared to most countries on this list.
Holidays here come from every direction: Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, and Muslim festivals all get national recognition. It’s a testament to the country’s diversity.
Major events include Vesak in May (Buddha’s birth), Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April, and National Day on February 4th. Deepavali, Eid, and Christmas all make the cut, too.
No matter your beliefs, everyone gets these days off. Sri Lanka is one of the few places where so many faiths share their special days with the whole nation.
2. Cambodia
Cambodia sits at the very top when it comes to public holidays—28 official ones each year, more than anywhere else.
These holidays are scattered all year long. Traditional festivals, religious celebrations, and national events all make the list. Khmer New Year is a standout, lasting several days.
Many holidays reflect Cambodia’s deep Buddhist roots, while others mark key moments in its history. Workers and students alike get these days to spend with family or dive into cultural traditions.
Living in Cambodia, you’d get almost a month off just for public holidays. That’s nearly four full weeks when the country slows down and people step away from their usual routines.
1. Nepal
Nepal tops the world for public holidays. If you live there, you’re looking at about 35 days off each year—way more than most places, honestly.
Set in the Himalayas, Nepal bursts with a wild mix of cultures and religions. That’s a big reason for the huge holiday count. You’ll see everything from Hindu festivals like Dashain to Buddhist events like Buddha Jayanti, plus a whole bunch of other celebrations scattered across the calendar.
Nepal runs on a six-day work week, which feels pretty unusual compared to a lot of countries. Still, all those public holidays mean people actually get a fair share of breaks. Folks use these days to honor their heritage and hang out with family.
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