The State of Kuwait grants employees many official holidays during the year, including Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, and the Islamic New Year, which are public holidays that employees are entitled to with full salary according to the current labor law and service law in Kuwait.
Official Holidays in Kuwait
The following list shows all Kuwait Public Holiday according to the applicable laws:
- New Year’s Day: January 1st of every Gregorian year.
- The Prophet’s Ascension: 27th of Rajab every Hijri year.
- National Day: February 25th of every Gregorian year.
- Liberation Day: February 26th of every Gregorian year.
- Eid al-Fitr Holiday: From 1st Shawwal to 3rd Shawwal every Hijri year.
- Eid al-Adha Holiday: From 1st Dhu al-Hijjah to 3rd Dhu al-Hijjah every Hijri year.
- Islamic New Year: 1st Muharram every Hijri year.
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday: 12th Rabi’ al-Awwal every Hijri year.
New Year’s Day Holiday in Kuwait
On January 1 of each Gregorian year comes the New Year’s holiday, which is the first holiday of the year, and all employees in the public and private sectors in Kuwait are entitled to it with full salary, and it is one of the official public holidays in many countries around the world.
Isra and Mi’raj Holiday in Kuwait
The Isra and Mi’raj holiday falls on the 27th of Rajab every Hijri year, on the occasion of the Prophet Muhammad’s Isra’ and Mi’raj from Mecca to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and then his Mi’raj from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the seventh heaven.
Eid al-Fitr Holiday in Kuwait
Eid al-Fitr is a religious holiday that lasts from the 1st of Shawwal until the 3rd of the same month every Hijri year. During this holiday, Muslims perform Eid prayers and visit each other. This public holiday comes after the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast. Its date is determined after sighting the crescent moon.
Eid al-Adha Holiday in Kuwait
The date of Eid al-Adha holiday in Kuwait varies from one year to another according to the Gregorian calendar, but it begins on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah and continues until the 12th of the same month according to the Hijri calendar. During this time, Eid prayers are performed by Muslims in addition to offering sacrifices.
Kuwait National Day Holiday in Kuwait
Kuwait National Day falls on February 25 of each year. It is one of the national holidays in which all Kuwaiti citizens remember their country’s independence from the British occupation that lasted for several years and ended with complete separation from Britain during the reign of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem.
Liberation Day Holiday in Kuwait
Liberation Day in Kuwait falls on February 26 of each year. It is a national holiday during which the Kuwaiti people celebrate the anniversary of their liberation from the Iraqi occupation that lasted for 7 months and ended with the withdrawal of the Iraqi army after Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm during the 1990s.
Islamic New Year Holiday in Kuwait
The Hijri year begins on the 1st of Muharram, which is one of the public holidays in the State of Kuwait according to the current Civil Service Law and Labor Law. This holiday comes directly after Eid al-Adha, as Eid al-Adha comes in the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Hijri year, and there are approximately 17 days between the two holidays.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday Holiday in Kuwait
The Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, was born on the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal in the Year of the Elephant in Mecca. The laws in force in Kuwait stipulate that this occasion is an official holiday for the public and private sectors, and it is repeated on the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal of every Hijri year, and its exact date is determined by the Gregorian calendar after sighting the crescent moon.
What to do during public holidays in Kuwait
There are many activities that can be practiced in Kuwait during public holidays, including the following:
- Visiting family members: During the holiday, all citizens and residents of Kuwait can visit their family members and spend quality time with them. This is one of the customs and traditions in Kuwait and various countries of the Islamic world during Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha holidays.
- Going on a trip: During official holidays, citizens and residents of Kuwait can go on a trip with friends or family members. There are many places suitable for trips in Kuwait.
- Practicing sports activities: There are a large number of sports activities that can be practiced in Kuwait during public holidays, including swimming, football, hockey, ice skating, basketball, and others.
- Walking on the beach: The State of Kuwait is located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, and a person can go to the coast and walk on the beach to enjoy the time during public holidays.
- Visiting the Kuwait Towers: The Kuwait Towers are one of the most prominent landmarks that the State of Kuwait is famous for. You can go there during public holidays to explore them, eat there, and take pictures next to them.
- Visiting entertainment cities: There are many entertainment cities in Kuwait that can be visited during official holidays, including Kuwait Winter Wonderland, and there are some entertainment cities designated for children as well.
Conclusion
Through the Kuwait How website, all citizens and residents in Kuwait can know the official holidays stipulated by the labor laws and civil service laws in force, in addition to knowing the date and duration of each holiday to prepare well for it when wishing to practice any activity.
