Holidays in 2024 in India
India is a diverse country with 22 major languages spoken in India. Though India has 94% Hindus other important religions in India are Muslim, Christian, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains. There are several religious holidays in India but only three national holidays. National holidays are observed throughout the country. States select their holidays on religious or historical significance. The central government and state government release a list of holidays every year. These are classified into restricted or gazetted holidays. Restricted holidays are optional holidays while gazetted holidays are mandatory. Private and Public sector banks in India release a list of holidays every year the holidays are state-specific holidays or national holidays.
1 January, Friday
- News Year Day is celebrated in most of India. It is the first day of the year.
14 January, Thursday
- Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival. It is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Surya Bhagwan. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Telangana. Makar Sankranti has different names it is called Magh Bihu in Assam, Maghi in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and Ghughuti in Uttrakhand. The day is celebrated by colorful decorations, kite flying, bonfires, and elaborate meals.
26 January, Tuesday
- Republic Day celebrates the adaptation of the constitution of India on 26 January 1950. The main Republic day is held every year in New Delhi at the Rajpath before the President. The ceremonial parade displays India’s diversity and India’s defense capabilities.
16 February, Tuesday
- Vasant Panchami celebrates the arrival of spring. The festival is celebrated in Haryana, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. In many parts of India, the day is celebrated as Saraswati Puja. Each state in India celebrates Vasant Panchami in their unique way.
11 March, Thursday
- Maha Shivratri is a major Hindu festival. People worship Lord Shiva and spend the day fasting and meditating. It is celebrated in several states in the country.
20 March, Sunday
- Parsi New Year is the new year of the Parsi and Irani community in India.
27 March, Saturday
- Holi is celebrated throughout the country. It is known as the festival of colors. Holi also celebrates the end of spring and the beginning of the harvest season. People smear color on each other. Children use water balloons and guns. The day is celebrated with singing, dancing, and sharing beautiful food.
2 April, Friday
- Good Friday is an important Christian Holiday. It is a holiday throughout the country. The holiday commemorates the crucifixion of Christ. Christians go to church on this day.
4 April, Sunday
- Easter Sunday is a Christian holiday celebrated throughout India. Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians go to church. Festivities such as Easter egg hunt takes place.
13 April, Tuesday
- Ugadi/Telugu New Year/Bohag Bigu/Guddi Padwa is a new year. It is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra Rajasthan, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. It is the first month of Chitra month. States celebrate their new year celebrate it differently.
14 April Wednesday
- Vaisakh/Tamil New Year/Vishu /Bohag Bihu is New Year is celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Orrisa, Jammu Kashmir, and Punjab. The festivities differ depending on the community. Communities usually pray and dress in new clothes.
15 April, Thursday
- Vishu/Pohla Boishak celebrates New Year in Kerala, Tripura, and West Bengal. Communities celebrate the New Year differently.
21 April, Wednesday
- Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Ram. It is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The day is marked by people reciting Ram Katha either at their homes or in temples. Some states have a rath yatra on this day.
25 April, Sunday
- Mahavir Jayanti is an important Jain festival. It is celebrated in Andaman & Nicobar, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. It celebrates the birth of Mahavir the 24 and the last Tirthankara. Jains carry the idol of Lord Mahavir on a chariot. People recite the holy text, prayers, puja, and fast on the day. The community performs charitable acts on this day.
13 May, Wednesday
- Idul Fitr is an important Muslim festival celebrated throughout the country. The day signifies the end of the month-long Ramadhan fast. People eat and exchange gifts with family and friends. Giving charity to the poor is a part of the celebration.
26 May Wednesday
- Buddha Purnima is a major Buddhist festival. It is observed in Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab. It celebrates the birth of Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha founded Buddhism. Buddhist visit Viharas and hear the full-length Buddhist Sutra.
No holidays in June
20 July, Tuesday
- Bakrid/ Eid al Adha is an important Muslim festival celebrated throughout the country. The four-day festival remembers how Prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son because it was god’s order. Muslims usually sacrifice a sheep on this day. In this Eid, Muslims usually sacrifice a sheep. Some of the meat is given to the poor and the remains are eaten by the family.
15 August, Sunday
- Independence Day celebrates independence from the British in 1947. On the eve of Independence Day, India’s president delivers the “Address to the nation”. On 15 August the prime minister hoists the flag from Red Fort.
19 August, Thursday
- Muharram is an important Muslim festival observed throughout the country. It also celebrates the beginning of the Islamic New Year. It is also the anniversary of the battle of Karbala. It is a solemn occasion.
22 August, Sunday
- Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in most parts of the country. It celebrates the relationship between brother and sister. Sisters tie a thread around their brother’s wrist praying for their long life while brothers vow to protect their sister.
29 August, Saturday
- Janmashtmi celebrated the birth of Lord Krishna. It is celebrated joyously throughout the country. People fast, pray, sing, and eat special food. Krishna temples organize the recitation of Bhagwat Gita.
10 September, Friday
- Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the arrival of Lord Ganesh to earth. The 10-day festival is celebrated by praying and offering food to Lord Ganesha. People either worship Lord Ganesha at home, or in temples, or in community centers.
2 October, Saturday
- Gandhi Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The father of the country was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar. The day is also called the International Day of Non-Violence.
15 October, Friday
- Vijay Dashmi is believed to be the day when Lord Ram defeated King Ravana. It is celebrated by the ritualistic burning of King Ravana effigy. Goddess Durga killed buffalo Mahisasura after a 9 day battle on this day. Vijay Dashmi also signifies the end of Durga Puja. The idols of Goddess Durga and her four children (Laxmi, Saraswati, Kartik, and Ganesha) are immersed.
19 October, Tuesday
- Eid-e-Miland is an important Muslim festival and is celebrated throughout the country. It celebrates the birthday of Prophet Mohammad. The day is celebrated through communal meals, prayer meets, exhibitions, and parades.
4 November, Thursday
- Diwali is celebrated throughout India. People also it called the festival of lights. It celebrates the day Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. The 5-day festival starts with Dhantares, followed by Choti Diwali, Diwali, Gowardhan Puja, and Bhai Dhuj. People lit diyas, decorate their house, perform puja, and spend the day with family and friends.
19 November, Friday
- Guru Nanak Jayanti is to commemorate the birthday of Guru Nanak and is celebrated throughout the country. Guru Nanak is the founder of Sikhism. It is one of the holiest days for Sikhs around the country. The three-day festival starts with Guruparab celebrations where an early morning procession is taken out at the Gurudwara. On the main day, Sikhs sing devotional songs from early in the morning.
25 December, Saturday
- Christmas is celebrated throughout the country. It is an important festival for Christians around the country. On Christmas eve Christians attend the midnight mass in the church. Christians decorate their house and exchange gifts with their friends and family.
Holidays in 2024 in USA
The holiday schedule in the United States is influenced by the federal government. Public holidays are observed for religious, historical, and cultural holidays. There are no national holidays where people are required by law to stay closed. Some states in America however limit business activity on some holidays. States are not compelled to follow the same date as federal holidays and can add additional days. The list of regional and national days in 2024 is:-
1 January, Friday
- New Year’s Day is celebrated throughout the USA.
18 January, Monday
- Martin Luther King Day is a holiday to observe on the third Monday of January. It is also called MLK Day. King was one of the spokesmen of the Civil Rights movement in America. It is a day where people in America about issues faced by people of color. It is a day to discuss racial injustice in America.
15 February, Monday
- President’s Day has celebrated honor all the presidents in the USA. President's Day falls on the third Monday in February. It was originally meant to celebrate Gorge Washington's Birthday who was born on 22 February. Other presidents were gradually added to the event.
No holidays in June
No holidays in June
31 May, Monday
- Memorial Day is observed to honor military personal that lost their lives while on duty. The last Monday of May is observed as Memorial Day. Many Americans visit the cemetery or memorials. They meet family members and participate in parades. Memorial Day is unofficially on the first day of summer.
No holidays in June
4 July, Sunday
- Independence Day celebrates the declaration of Independence in the USA. Independence Day is associated with several public and private events. There is a spectacular display of fireworks, parades, and carnival. Families enjoy picnics and barbeques.
6 September, Monday
- Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September to recognize the contribution of the American labor movement towards the progress of America. Since the holiday is on a Monday the weekend is known as Labor Day weekend. Labor Day is unofficially the end of summer. There are parties, street parades, and athletic events throughout the day.
11 October, Monday
- Columbus Day is celebrated in many countries including the United States. Columbus Day commemorates the anniversary of Columbus arriving there.
There are special church services, parades, and public events are held on Columbus Day.
11 November, Thursday
- Veterans Day honors the dead and living military personal who have served in the American armed forces. Americans celebrate Veteran day with parades and church services. The American Flag hangs in half mass in many places.
25 November, Thursday
- Thanksgiving Day celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the year. Americans have a large feast with their families.
25 December, Saturday
- Christmas is one of the main holidays in America. Americans go to church, visit their friends and family, and exchange gifts.
Holidays in 2024 in UK
On public holidays most businesses are closed for the day. Public holidays are also called bank holidays and may include some conventional holidays. The list of holidays in the UK is given below:-
1 January, Friday
- New Year's Day is celebrated throughout the UK.
No holidays in February.
No holidays in March.
2 April. Friday
- Good Friday is observed through church services throughout the country.
5 April, Monday
- Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday. Many Christians believe Jesus stayed on earth for 40 days. Easter Monday marks the second day after Jesus Christ's resurrection. British have bottle kicking matches and Hare Pie Scramble on this day.
3 May, Monday
- Early May bank holiday was first introduced to commemorate international Labor Day. In many places in the UK, it is celebrated as the beginning of summer and people organize some events to celebrate.
31 May, Monday
- Spring bank holiday is also known as last May bank holiday. It falls on the last Monday in May. People enjoy holidaying with their family.
No holidays in June
30 August, Monday
- The summer bank holiday is celebrated on the last Monday of August. It unofficially considered the end of the summer holiday and the beginning of autumn. Many people take holiday during the long weekend. Street festivals are held in some parts of London.
No holidays in September.
No holidays in November.
25 December, Saturday
- Christmas is celebrated throughout the country. It is an important festival for Christians around the country. On Christmas eve Christians attend the midnight mass in the church. Christians decorate their house and exchange gifts with their friends and family.
28 December, Monday
- Boxing Day (Substitute Day) is celebrated the day after Christmas or the second day of Christmas. Traditionally employers give their employees a holiday. People go bargain shopping on Boxing Day. There are various sporting events held on the day.
Holidays in 2024 in Canada
Compulsory public holidays in Canada are known as statutory holidays. Holidays in Canada consist of cultural, national, and religious holidays. Canada has state and national holidays. The list of holidays in Canada is given below:-
1 January, Friday
- New Year Day is the first day of the New Year.
No holidays in February
No holidays in March
10 April, Friday
- Good Friday is a day when many Canadian’s go to church.
13 April Monday/h4> - Easter Monday is a day off for banks, schools, and post offices in Canada. Families enjoy a long weekend. In some Canadian states, the day is called Family day.
18 May, Monday
- Victoria Day was initially meant to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday. It is now celebrated to commemorate Canada's sovereign status. It is unofficially considered the first day of the summer season.
1 July, Thursday
Canada Day is the national day of Canada. It celebrates the day of Canada’s full independence. The day is celebrated with parades, barbeque, carnivals, fireworks, and concerts.
No holidays in July
No holidays in August
6 September, Monday
- Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September. Labor Day was originally meant to advocate better work conditions for laborers. But now it is celebrated as a long weekend.
11 October, Monday
- Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. It is meant to give thanks for the harvest season. Canadians visit their families and have a special feast at home.
11 November, Thursday
- Remembrance Day is held by Commonwealth countries to remember the soldiers who died in the line of duty. Canadians have a moment of silence to honor the soldiers who served and continue to serve in the Canadian Armed forces. Replica poppies are sold across the country.
25 December, Saturday
- Christmas Day is a National holiday.
26 December, Sunday
- Boxing Day is the day after Christmas. Shops are crowded. Some important sporting events such as international ice hockey tournaments are held on the day.
Holidays in 2024 in Australia
Public holidays in Australia refer to holidays accepted by the Australian Government. The holidays are declared by state or territory in Australia. Holidays in Australia are based on religious, cultural, and civil events. The list of holidays in Australia is:-
1 January, Wednesday
- New Year Day is a national holiday in Australia.
26 January, Sunday
- Australian Day is the national day of Australia. There is a fantastic firework display in many parts of Australia. There concerts and parades held throughout the Australia.
No holidays in February
No holidays in March
10 April, Friday
- Good Friday is a national holiday's in Australia.
13 April, Monday
- Easter Monday is the second holiday after Easter Sunday. There are various sporting events held across Australia on this day.
25 April, Sunday
- Anzac Holiday is a national holiday for remembrance in Australia in New Zealand to honor soldiers who died in wars. A commemorative service is held at dawn. Ex-service personnel has processions throughout Australia.
No holidays in May
No holidays in June
No holidays in July
No holidays in August
No holidays in September
No holidays in October
No holidays in November
25 December, Saturday
- Christmas is a summer holiday in Australia. Family and friends exchange gifts on the day. For lunch, Australians enjoy traditional meals.
26 December, Sunday
- Boxing Day is a holiday in Australia except for South Australia. It is a day when Australians enjoy cricket, sailing, and movies. Traditionally a cricket tournament is held on MCG.
Holidays in 2024 in Singapore
Singapore is a multi-racial and religious country. Each race in Singapore has two holidays each. There are 11 public holidays in Singapore. If the public holiday is on Sunday, the following day is declared as a public holiday. The main holidays in Singapore are given below:-
1 January, Friday
- New Year’s Day in Singapore is enjoyed by most Singaporeans. People greet each other on the day.
12 February, Friday
- Chinese New Year is celebrated with great fanfare in Singapore. There are colorful parades and fireworks. It is celebrated over two days.
13 February, Saturday
- Chinese New Year
No holidays in March
2 April, Friday
-Good Friday is celebrated mostly by Christian in Singapore.
1 May, Saturday
- Labor Day is celebrated to promote unity in workers. The government of Singapore acknowledges the contribution of workers.
13 May, Thursday
- :- Hari Raya Puasa or Eid al-Fitri marks the month-long end of the fasting of Ramadan. Muslims in Singapore go to the Mosque early in the morning. They clean and decorate their house. People meet in the evening and feast together.
13 May, Thursday
- :- Hari Raya Puasa or Eid al-Fitri marks the month-long end of the fasting of Ramadan. Muslims in Singapore go to the Mosque early in the morning. They clean and decorate their house. People meet in the evening and feast together.
26 May, Wednesday
Vesak Day is celebrated as the enlightenment day in Singapore. Buddhists go to temples. Hymns are sung and they have a candlelight procession.
20 July, Tuesday
- Hari Raya Haji or Eid-al-Adha is the second Islamic holiday in Singapore. Muslims in Singapore congregate in the mosque and listen to sermons and offer prayers.
9 August Monday
- National Day of Singapore celebrates the country’s independence from Malaysia. The prime minister of Singapore addresses the nation. There is a firework display.
No holidays in September
No holidays in October
4 November, Thursday
- Deepavali is celebrated by Hindus in Singapore. They offer prayers in temples before visiting friends and family
25 December, Saturday
- Christmas Day is one of the Christian holidays observed in Singapore. The shopping district is beautifully lit. Christians attend the special service on the day.