Public holidays in Bahrain are deeply rooted in faith, heritage, and national pride. Whether you are a resident, an expatriate professional, or a traveler exploring Bahrain, understanding the Bahrain public holidays helps you plan work schedules, administrative processes, payroll, travel, and personal commitments with ease.
Bahrain is known for its cultural harmony, hospitality, and rich Islamic traditions. These values reflect strongly in the way public holidays are observed. More than days off from work, Bahrain’s official holidays symbolize unity, spirituality, remembrance, and community bonds.
Below is the complete overview of public holidays in Bahrain 2026, followed by detailed explanations of their significance and observance.
List of Public Holidays in Bahrain 2026
Date | Day of the week | Holiday |
1 January 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
20-22 March 2026 | Friday-Sunday | Eid Al Fitr |
1 May 2026 | Friday | Labour Day |
27 May 2026 | Wednesday | Arafat Day |
28–30 May 2026 | Thursday–Saturday | Eid Al Adha |
16 June 2026 | Tuesday | Islamic New Year |
26 June 2026 | Friday | Ashoora |
25 August 2026 | Tuesday | Milad Al Nabi |
16 December 2026 | Wednesday | Bahrain National Day |
Note:
All the above Bahrain public holiday dates for 2026 are tentative and may change based on official government announcements and moon-sighting for Islamic holidays. It’s advisable to check updated circulars closer to each holiday.
Major Details Public Holidays in Bahrain 2026
Below are detailed descriptions of the main Bahrain public holidays, along with their historical and spiritual relevance. These public holidays in Bahrain insights help residents, business necessity, and global visitors prepare better for the year.
New Year's Day: 1 January 2026
New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year with one of the public holidays in Bahrain. While not religious, it is recognized as an official national holiday in Bahrain. Businesses, banks, and public institutions remain closed, giving families time to relax and prepare for the year ahead.
Eid Al Fitr : 20-22 March 2026
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is among the most widely celebrated public holidays in Bahrain. The atmosphere becomes festive as families gather, exchange greetings, and donate to charity. Like other Islamic holidays, Eid dates vary each year based on moon sighting, making it a key component of Bahrain’s lunar-based holiday calendar.
Labour Day: 1 May 2026
Labour Day is celebrated on 1 May 2026 in Bahrain to appreciate the services provided by workers in both the public and private sectors. It is considered a Bahrain public holiday, and this gives a worker ample opportunity for rest in recognition of their services to national development. Many organizations are closed on this day to let workers relax or be with their families.
Arafat Day: 27 May 2026
Arafat Day is observed on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, and is considered one of the most sacred days in Islam. It recognizes it as a public holidays in Bahrain marked by prayer and reflection. For many, it is a moment of spiritual renewal ahead of Eid Al Adha bahrain weekly holiday.
Eid Al Adha: 28-30 May 2026
Eid Al Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice,” honors Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and faith. In Bahrain, families participate in early morning prayers, share meals with relatives, and contribute to charitable activities. Offices and government bodies with public holidays in Bahrain remain closed as communities join in the celebrations.
Islamic New Year: 16 June 2026
The Islamic New Year or Hijri New Year marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. In Bahrain, it is observed with calm reflection, prayers, and community gatherings. The day is recognized as a public holiday across both public and private sectors.
Ashoora: 26 June 2026
Ashoora, which falls on 26 June 2026, is one of the most important religious public holidays in Bahrain and is steeped in spiritual contemplation. It celebrates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and is observed through prayers, gatherings, and traditional rituals. Communities across Bahrain observe this in acts of remembrance, charity, and cultural expression.
Milad Al Nabi: 25 August 2026
Milad Al Nabi celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad and is observed with religious lectures, Quranic recitation, and community prayers. These public holidays in Bahrain acknowledges this day as one of its significant cultural and spiritual public holidays, celebrated with reverence and respect.
Bahrain National Day: 16 December 2026
Moreover, Bahrain National Day and the Day of the Accession are two of the most patriotic holidays in the country. Celebrations include:
- parades and cultural events
- lighted cityscapes
- Fireworks and Public Performance
- Activities that promote national pride in schools and communities
These two national day holiday strengthen unity and proudly commemorate Bahrain’s heritage, independence, and leadership.
National Day Holiday Bahrain: The Symbol of Pride & Patriotism
Two dates hold special national significance in Bahrain — December 16 (National Day) and December 17 (Accession Day). During these Bahrain national holidays :
- Bahrain’s national flag adorns all public spaces.
- Cultural programs highlight Bahraini traditions
- Patriotic displays light up the streets
Wraps up to a fabulous national spirit among families and visitors.
These Bahrain national holidays go beyond celebration — they reinforce Bahrain’s identity and unity.
Upcoming Holidays in Bahrain: Why Planning Ahead Matters
Knowing the list of upcoming holidays in Bahrain helps both individuals and organizations plan seamlessly throughout the year. For individuals, it supports trip planning, school scheduling, family gatherings, and event coordination. For organizations, it ensures smooth leave and attendance management, timely payroll scheduling, optimized workforce allocation, and proper adherence to labor laws. For HR, payroll, and administrative teams, planning around Bahrain public holidays ensures smooth operations and uninterrupted workflow.
Conclusion
Understanding public holidays in Bahrain 2026 is not just about marking dates — it is about appreciating the country’s cultural depth, national pride, and Islamic heritage. Bahrain continues to grow as a regional hub for business, tourism, and global professionals. Awareness of its holiday calendar with bahrain weekly holiday supports better planning, smoother attendance management, and meaningful cultural connection.
Bahrain’s holidays reflect its values — unity, peace, spirituality, and a strong national identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Major public holidays in Bahrain include Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, and Bahrain National Day.
Bahrain National Days is celebrated on December 16 every year, followed by Accession Day on December 17.
Yes — Islamic public holiday 2026 follow the lunar calendar, so dates for Eid, the Islamic New Year, and Milad Al Nabi vary every year.
Businesses can plan staffing, payroll cycles, attendance, and work schedules in advance to ensure smooth operations during Bahrain public holidays 2026.
Whether today is a public holidays in Bahrain depends on the official government holiday calendar for the year. It’s best to check the latest announcements or the updated Bahrain public holiday list for confirmation.
