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Brunei Public Holidays

Brunei observes a mix of public, national, and regional holidays throughout the year.

Overview

Brunei observes a mix of public, national, and regional holidays throughout the year.

Some holidays are observed nationwide, while others may apply only to specific regions or communities.

Explore the holiday calendar for Brunei by year below.

2026 holidays

A quick look at upcoming holidays in Brunei.

DateDayHoliday
Jan 1ThursdayNew Year's Day
Jan 17SaturdayIsra and Mi'raj
Feb 17TuesdayChinese New Year
Feb 19ThursdayRamadan begins
Feb 23MondayNational Day
Mar 7SaturdayNuzul Al-Qur'an
Mar 20FridayMarch Equinox
Mar 21SaturdayEid al-Fitr
Mar 22SundayEid al-Fitr Holiday
Mar 23MondayEid al-Fitr Holiday
Mar 24TuesdayEid al-Fitr Holiday
May 27WednesdayEid al-Adha
May 31SundayRoyal Brunei Armed Forces Day
Jun 1MondayDay off for Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day
Jun 17WednesdayMuharram (Muslim New Year)

Holiday calendar by year

Years are listed in ascending order.

About public holidays in Brunei

This guide provides an overview of public holidays in Brunei for 2026. Public holidays in Brunei are a mix of national celebrations, religious observances, and astronomical events. Some holidays are fixed, while others are determined by lunar calendars, meaning their dates can shift annually.

For a comprehensive list of all holidays in Brunei, including those that may not be widely observed, please visit our full Brunei holiday list. For definitions of public holidays, see our public holidays explained page.

Major public holidays in 2026

In 2026, Brunei observes a number of significant public holidays. These include major religious festivals, national commemorations, and international observances.

Beyond these highlighted dates, Brunei observes other holidays such as Ramadan begins, Nuzul Al-Qur'an, and various Eid al-Fitr holiday extensions. You can find the complete schedule, including exact dates for all observed holidays, on the Brunei public holidays 2026 page.

  • New Year's Day1 January 2026. The Gregorian calendar's New Year's Day.
  • National Day23 February 2026. Commemorates Brunei's independence.
  • Eid al-Fitr21 March 2026. Marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
  • Sultan's Birthday15 July 2026. Celebrates the birthday of the current Sultan of Brunei.
  • Maulidur Rasul25 August 2026. Commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

Planning around holidays

Brunei's holiday calendar is influenced by both the Gregorian and Hijri (Islamic lunar) calendars. This means that while some holidays like New Year's Day and the Sultan's Birthday fall on the same date each year, religious holidays shift annually. Islamic holidays, in particular, can occur earlier each year according to the Gregorian calendar.

When planning travel or business, it's advisable to check the specific dates for the year you are interested in, especially for religious observances. Many businesses and government offices may close or have reduced hours on public holidays. The proximity of holidays can also create longer breaks, particularly around major religious festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

  • Lunar Calendar Influence: Many significant holidays in Brunei are based on the Islamic lunar calendar, causing their dates to vary each year.
  • Religious Observances: Be aware that major Islamic holidays often have multiple days of observance or associated public holidays.
  • National Celebrations: Fixed-date national holidays, such as National Day and the Sultan's Birthday, provide predictable opportunities for observation.
  • Astronomical Events: Holidays like the equinoxes and solstices are included in the calendar but do not typically affect business operations.

Plan Your Year Around BN Holidays

Calendar Tool

View Brunei holidays in calendar mode

Explore public holidays in a visual calendar layout and plan ahead more easily.

Frequently asked questions