Public holidays are designated days when most businesses, schools, and government offices are closed. They are established by national or regional governments to commemorate significant historical events, religious observances, cultural celebrations, or national achievements. These days are typically paid days off for employees in many countries.

Countries like India, Colombia, and Myanmar often top the list with 20+ public holidays per year, though the exact number varies by region and state. India, for example, has numerous religious and cultural festivals. In contrast, countries like Mexico and the United Kingdom typically have around 8-10 national public holidays.

Public holidays are official days off for the general population, while bank holidays specifically refer to days when banks and financial institutions are closed. In many countries (like the UK), the terms are used interchangeably. However, some bank holidays may not be observed by all businesses, and some public holidays may not affect banking operations.

Many public holidays have fixed dates (like Christmas on December 25th or Independence days). However, some holidays follow lunar calendars (like Chinese New Year, Eid al-Fitr, and Easter-related holidays) and shift each year. Our calendar is updated annually to reflect these changes for accurate planning.

Businesses use public holidays data for workforce planning, payroll processing, project scheduling, and international operations management. Knowing holidays across different countries helps global teams coordinate meetings, plan product launches, and manage customer support across time zones. It's also crucial for compliance with local labor laws.

Our calendar primarily displays national-level public holidays. Some countries have additional regional or state-level holidays that may not appear. For example, in Germany, holidays like Epiphany are only observed in certain states. We recommend checking local government sources for region-specific holidays.

We source our data from the Nager.Date API, a widely-used public holidays database that is regularly updated. While we strive for accuracy, holiday observances can change due to government announcements. We recommend verifying critical dates with official sources, especially for business-critical planning.