Festivals and public holidays
Public holidays in Mauritius
Around fifteen public holidays a year, most of them the festivals of the island’s four communities. The calendar, year by year, to plan your stay.
2026
| January | |
|---|---|
New Year | |
New Year | |
| February | |
Abolition of Slavery | |
Thaipoosam Cavadee | |
Maha Shivaratree | |
Chinese Spring Festival | |
| March | |
Independence Day and Republic Day | |
Ugaadi | |
Eid-Ul-Fitr Date to be confirmed | |
| May | |
Labour Day | |
| August | |
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | |
| September | |
Ganesh Chaturthi | |
| November | |
Arrival of Indentured Labourers | |
Divali | |
Day after Divali Public holiday granted because Divali falls on Sunday 08 November 2026, under the Public Holidays Act as amended by the Economic and Financial Measures (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, in force on 13 August 2026. | |
| December | |
Christmas | |
This festival follows the moon: its exact date is confirmed as the day approaches.
2027
This year’s dates may still be adjusted. Confirm them before you book.
| January | |
|---|---|
New Year | |
New Year | |
Thaipoosam Cavadee | |
| February | |
Abolition of Slavery | |
Chinese Spring Festival | |
| March | |
Maha Shivaratree | |
Eid-Ul-Fitr Date to be confirmed | |
Independence Day and Republic Day | |
| April | |
Ougadi | |
| May | |
Labour Day | |
| September | |
Ganesh Chaturthi | |
Day after Ganesh Chaturthi Public holiday granted because Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Sunday 05 September 2027, under section 3(3) of the Public Holidays Act as amended by the Economic and Financial Measures (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026. | |
| October | |
Divali | |
| November | |
All Saints Day | |
Arrival of Indentured Labourers | |
| December | |
Christmas | |
This festival follows the moon: its exact date is confirmed as the day approaches.
Why these dates change every year
Several Mauritian festivals follow a lunar calendar: Divali, Eid-Ul-Fitr, Maha Shivaratree, Thaipoosam Cavadee and the Chinese Spring Festival do not fall on the same date from one year to the next. The calendar is therefore set every year, and some dates are confirmed only as the festival approaches.
Good to know
On a public holiday, confirm opening hours with each establishment before setting out. The Père Laval pilgrimage on 9 September is not a public holiday.