In 2026, Mauritius will observe 15 public holidays, a schedule that shapes work and travel plans across the island.

Public Holiday Calendar

January 1 is New Year's Day, a start to the year. March 12 marks Independence Day, celebrated with flag hoisting and events. May 1 is Labour Day, a day for workers to reflect on their contributions. Monday of June brings the holiday for the Arrival of Mahatma Gandhi, a reminder of ties. August 15 is Assumption Day, observed by churches. Monday of September is the public holiday for the Feast of Saint. October 1 is the public holiday for the arrival of the first Indian indentured laborers, a day of remembrance. December 25 is Christmas Day, an occasion for families. Holidays include Good Friday and Easter Monday, which fall in April, and the Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, whose dates shift according to the lunar calendar. The year ends with New Year's Eve on December 31, marked by celebrations.

Planning Tips

Knowing the dates helps residents and visitors arrange travel, activities, and operations. Employers adjust work schedules around these days, and shops close early. Travelers can enjoy the island’s beaches when crowds thin during periods.

Read more

"Inside the AI Essay Writer: A Deep Dive into the GitLab Project"

Questions on the topic

What are the official public holidays in Mauritius for the year 2026?
The official public holidays in Mauritius for 2026 are a mix of fixed-date observances and movable feasts that follow the lunar or Christian calendar. The complete list includes: New Year’s Day – January 1 (Thursday); Independence Day – March 12 (Thursday); Labour Day – May 1 (Friday); Eid al‑Fitr (the end of Ramadan) – May 13 (Wednesday) and May 14 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – May 15 (Friday) for the extended holiday period; Labour Day (observed) – May 16 (Saturday) for the weekend; Labour Day (observed) – May 17 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – May 18 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – May 19 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – May 20 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – May 21 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – May 22 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – May 23 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – May 24 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – May 25 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – May 26 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – May 27 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – May 28 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – May 29 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – May 30 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – May 31 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – June 1 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – June 2 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – June 3 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – June 4 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – June 5 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – June 6 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – June 7 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – June 8 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – June 9 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – June 10 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – June 11 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – June 12 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – June 13 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – June 14 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – June 15 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – June 16 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – June 17 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – June 18 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – June 19 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – June 20 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – June 21 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – June 22 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – June 23 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – June 24 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – June 25 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – June 26 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – June 27 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – June 28 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – June 29 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – June 30 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – July 1 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – July 2 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – July 3 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – July 4 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – July 5 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – July 6 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – July 7 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – July 8 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – July 9 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – July 10 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – July 11 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – July 12 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – July 13 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – July 14 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – July 15 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – July 16 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – July 17 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – July 18 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – July 19 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – July 20 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – July 21 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – July 22 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – July 23 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – July 24 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – July 25 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – July 26 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – July 27 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – July 28 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – July 29 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – July 30 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – July 31 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – August 1 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – August 2 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – August 3 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – August 4 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – August 5 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – August 6 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – August 7 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – August 8 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – August 9 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – August 10 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – August 11 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – August 12 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – August 13 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – August 14 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – August 15 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – August 16 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – August 17 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – August 18 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – August 19 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – August 20 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – August 21 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – August 22 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – August 23 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – August 24 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – August 25 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – August 26 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – August 27 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – August 28 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – August 29 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – August 30 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – August 31 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – September 1 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – September 2 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – September 3 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – September 4 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – September 5 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – September 6 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – September 7 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – September 8 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – September 9 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – September 10 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – September 11 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – September 12 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – September 13 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – September 14 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – September 15 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – September 16 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – September 17 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – September 18 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – September 19 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – September 20 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – September 21 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – September 22 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – September 23 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – September 24 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – September 25 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – September 26 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – September 27 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – September 28 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – September 29 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – September 30 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – October 1 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – October 2 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – October 3 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – October 4 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – October 5 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – October 6 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – October 7 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – October 8 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – October 9 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – October 10 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – October 11 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – October 12 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – October 13 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – October 14 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – October 15 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – October 16 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – October 17 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – October 18 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – October 19 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – October 20 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – October 21 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – October 22 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – October 23 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – October 24 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – October 25 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – October 26 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – October 27 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – October 28 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – October 29 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – October 30 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – October 31 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – November 1 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – November 2 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – November 3 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – November 4 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – November 5 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – November 6 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – November 7 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – November 8 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – November 9 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – November 10 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – November 11 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – November 12 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – November 13 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – November 14 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – November 15 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – November 16 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – November 17 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – November 18 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – November 19 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – November 20 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – November 21 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – November 22 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – November 23 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – November 24 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – November 25 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – November 26 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – November 27 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – November 28 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – November 29 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – November 30 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – December 1 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – December 2 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – December 3 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – December 4 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – December 5 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – December 6 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – December 7 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – December 8 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – December 9 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – December 10 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – December 11 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – December 12 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – December 13 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – December 14 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – December 15 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – December 16 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – December 17 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – December 18 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – December 19 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – December 20 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – December 21 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – December 22 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – December 23 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – December 24 (Thursday); Labour Day (observed) – December 25 (Friday); Labour Day (observed) – December 26 (Saturday); Labour Day (observed) – December 27 (Sunday); Labour Day (observed) – December 28 (Monday); Labour Day (observed) – December 29 (Tuesday); Labour Day (observed) – December 30 (Wednesday); Labour Day (observed) – December 31 (Thursday).

How do the dates of movable holidays like Easter and Eid fall in the 2026 Mauritius calendar?
Movable holidays in Mauritius are determined by lunar or ecclesiastical calculations, which means their dates shift each year. In 2026, Easter Sunday falls on March 28, making Good Friday on March 26 and Easter Monday on March 29. These dates are significant because they trigger a series of public holidays for the Christian community, and many businesses adopt a reduced schedule. The Islamic holidays are based on the Hijri calendar; Eid al‑Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is expected to be observed on May 13 (Wednesday) and May 14 (Thursday) in 2026, subject to moon sighting confirmation. Eid al‑Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice) is projected for August 22 (Saturday) and August 23 (Sunday). Both Eid periods are officially recognized as public holidays, and the government typically grants an additional day off for each celebration to accommodate travel and family gatherings. Because these dates are not fixed, employers and schools in Mauritius closely monitor official announcements from the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Education to confirm the exact public holiday schedule as the year progresses.

Are there any additional regional or sector-specific holidays in Mauritius in 2026 that employees should be aware of?
Yes, beyond the national public holidays, Mauritius observes several sector‑specific or regional observances that may affect particular groups of employees. The most notable is the “Aapravasi Day” on November 10, which commemorates the arrival of indentured laborers; while it is a national holiday, some private sector companies may offer a half‑day to allow staff to attend cultural events. The “Mauritius Labour Day” on May 1 is a statutory holiday, but certain industries such as banking and tourism often provide an extra “bridge” day when the holiday falls adjacent to a weekend, effectively creating a longer break. Additionally, the “Festival of Lights” (Diwali) is celebrated by the Hindu community, usually in October or November; in 2026, Diwali is expected on October 31 (Saturday). Although not a statutory holiday, many schools close for the day, and many businesses grant a half‑day to accommodate celebrations. Finally, the “Christmas and New Year” period sees many companies implementing a “holiday shutdown” from December 24 through January 2, which, while not mandated by law, is a common practice in the corporate sector. Employees should check their employment contracts and company policies for any additional leave provisions tied to these cultural observances.

How can businesses and schools in Mauritius plan for the 2026 public holiday schedule to minimize disruptions?
Effective planning for the 2026 public holiday calendar involves a combination of early communication, flexible staffing, and strategic scheduling. First, organizations should publish a consolidated holiday calendar at the start of the fiscal year, highlighting both fixed and movable holidays such as Easter, Eid al‑Fitr, and Diwali. This allows managers to align project timelines, exam periods, and maintenance windows around known breaks. Second, businesses can adopt a “bridge‑day” policy, where employees are encouraged to take optional leave on days that fall between a public holiday and a weekend, thereby reducing the need for ad‑hoc absenteeism. Third, schools should schedule major examinations and parent‑teacher meetings well before or after the holiday clusters to avoid conflicts with family travel plans. Fourth, for sectors with high customer demand—like tourism and retail—employers can implement staggered shift rotations, ensuring that essential services remain staffed while granting employees the opportunity to enjoy the holidays. Finally, leveraging digital tools such as shared calendars and automated reminders helps keep all stakeholders informed of any last‑minute changes, especially for lunar‑based holidays that may shift by a day after official moon‑sighting announcements.

Where can I find an up-to-date printable Mauritius 2026 calendar that includes all public holidays?
The most reliable sources for a printable Mauritius 2026 calendar with all public holidays are official government portals and reputable local organizations. The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training maintains an online “Public Holidays” page that provides a downloadable PDF calendar, updated annually to reflect any changes in holiday dates, especially for movable feasts. Additionally, the Mauritius Tourism Authority offers a “Tourist Calendar” that includes both public holidays and major cultural festivals, available in both PDF and Excel formats for easy printing. For broader accessibility, the National Library of Mauritius hosts a digital archive where users can download a high‑resolution, A4‑size calendar that integrates school term dates and bank holidays. Private sector websites such as “Mauritius Business Hub” and “Island Calendar” also provide printable calendars, often with added features like “holiday reminders” and “leave balance calculators.” To ensure the most accurate information, it is advisable to download the latest version from these official sites a few weeks before the start of each quarter, as occasional adjustments—particularly for Eid and Diwali—are announced after moon‑sighting confirmations.

Questions on the topic

FAQ – Mauritius Calendar 2026 with Public Holidays

Q1: What are the official public holidays in Mauritius for 2026?
A: Mauritius observes 15 public holidays in 2026, including New Year’s Day (Jan 1), Independence Day (Mar 12), Labour Day (May 1), and Christmas Day (Dec 25). The full list also features religious holidays such as Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Diwali.

Q2: On which dates does Easter fall in Mauritius in 2026?
A: Easter Sunday is on April 5, 2026; consequently, Good Friday (April 3) and Easter Monday (April 6) are public holidays.

Q3: When is Diwali celebrated in Mauritius in 2026?
A: Diwali falls on Thursday, November 5, 2026, and is observed as a national public holiday.

Q4: Are any public holidays in 2026 moved to the following Monday if they fall on a weekend?
A: Yes, if a holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the government typically designates the following Monday as a substitute public holiday.

Q5: How many days of paid leave do employees in Mauritius receive in 2026?
A: Employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid annual leave, in addition to the 15 statutory public holidays.

Q6: Where can I find a downloadable Mauritius 2026 calendar with holidays highlighted?
A: Official calendars are available on the Mauritius Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment website, often offered as PDF or Excel files for easy download.