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Friday, October 23, 2026
No federal or major public holiday observed today across tracked regions.
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Library at a glance
259 briefs · 43 iconic · 5 categories · 54 countries
Library by month
259 briefs across the calendar - click a month to filter
Showing 24 briefs in Aug.
Clear filtersFederal holiday(5)
Pakistan Independence Day (Youm-e-Azadi) - August 14, the 1947 founding of the Islamic Republic
Pakistan Independence Day (Youm-e-Azadi) on August 14 is a federal public holiday in Pakistan marking the 1947 transfer of power from British India and the founding of the Dominion of Pakistan. The day is observed with flag-hoisting ceremonies, patriotic events, and the largest single civic observance of the Pakistani calendar.
Indonesian Independence Day - Hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia, August 17
Indonesian Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia) is observed every August 17 to mark the 1945 proclamation of independence by Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta. It is a national public holiday (libur nasional) under Keputusan Presiden, observed with flag ceremonies, traditional games, and regional cultural parades.
Malaysia Hari Merdeka - August 31, independence from the British Empire
Hari Merdeka (Malaysian Independence Day) on August 31 marks the 1957 independence of Malaya from British colonial rule. Observed as a national public holiday with the annual Merdeka parade and the Prime Minister's address.
Singapore National Day - August 9, NDP and the founding of modern Singapore
Singapore National Day on August 9 marks the 1965 independence of Singapore from Malaysia. Observed as a national public holiday with the annual National Day Parade (NDP), fireworks, and the Prime Minister's National Day Message.
Turkey Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı) - August 30, the 1922 final victory of the War of Independence
Turkey Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı) on August 30 is a federal public holiday in Turkey marking the 1922 final victory of the Turkish War of Independence, when the Turkish forces defeated the Greek army and secured the territory that became the Republic. The day is observed with military ceremonies, wreath-laying at Anıtkabir, and school events.
Civic memorial(2)
Liberation Day in South Korea (Gwangbokjeol) - August 15, the 1945 end of Japanese rule
Liberation Day (Gwangbokjeol, 광복절) on August 15 is a South Korean national public holiday marking the 1945 end of 35 years of Japanese colonial rule. Observed with a presidential address, ringing of the Bosingak bell, and ceremonial events. Also a national holiday in North Korea.
Ninoy Aquino Day in the Philippines - August 21, remembering the democracy leader assassinated in 1983
Ninoy Aquino Day is a Philippine special non-working holiday on August 21, marking the assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. in 1983. The date precedes his birthday and leads directly to Philippine Independence Day.
Cultural celebration(8)
Onam - the Kerala harvest festival on Thiruvonam day, and how it is observed
Onam is the annual harvest festival of Kerala (India), observed on Thiruvonam day in the Malayalam month of Chingam. Celebrates the mythic King Mahabali and the return of prosperity. Date moves between late August and mid-September in the Gregorian calendar.
Ferragosto - August 15, the Italian summer holiday and its Roman roots
Italy's Ferragosto on August 15 is the high point of the Italian summer holiday season. The name derives from the Roman Feriae Augusti of 18 BC; the Catholic Feast of the Assumption of Mary was merged with the civic day from the 7th century onward.
Japan Mountain Day - August 11, the 2014 addition to the national calendar
Japan's Mountain Day (Yama no Hi) on August 11 is a national public holiday established in 2014 and first observed in 2016. The day reflects Japan's deep cultural and spiritual relationship with its mountainous landscape.
Notting Hill Carnival - the August Bank Holiday Caribbean festival in London
Notting Hill Carnival is the annual Caribbean-style carnival in west London, held on the August Bank Holiday weekend (last Sunday and Monday of August). Europes largest street festival. Cultural + Caribbean, not a religious or federal public holiday.
Summer Bank Holiday - the last Monday of August in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and the first Monday in Scotland
The Summer Bank Holiday is the UK's late-summer public holiday. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland it falls on the last Monday of August; in Scotland it falls on the first Monday of August. It traditionally closes the British summer holiday season.
World Photography Day - August 19, the daguerreotype anniversary
World Photography Day on August 19 marks the 1839 announcement of the daguerreotype process by the French Academy of Sciences. Observed worldwide with photography exhibitions and community events.
Lughnasadh - the Gaelic beginning of autumn, the festival of Lugh, and the first harvest
Lughnasadh is the Gaelic beginning of autumn, observed on August 1 in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. The festival marks the beginning of the harvest season and is associated with the god Lugh, the sun god and patron of skill and craftsmanship.
Raksha Bandhan - the Hindu festival of sibling bonds, observed on the full moon of Shravan
Raksha Bandhan (literally "the bond of protection") is a Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, observed on the full moon (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Shravan (July-August). Sisters tie a protective thread (rakhi) on their brothers' wrists; brothers pledge to protect. Observed across India, Nepal, and the Hindu diaspora.
Religious observance(7)
Galungan - the Balinese day of dharma's return, and the 210-day pawukon cycle
Galungan is the Balinese Hindu festival marking the return of dharma after Bhatara Guru's descent into the underworld. It always falls on a Wednesday and recurs on a 210-day pawukon cycle, so Bali sees it roughly twice a Gregorian year.
Ganesh Chaturthi - the Hindu festival of Ganesha, 10-day observance, and how it is celebrated
Ganesh Chaturthi is the Hindu festival of Lord Ganesha, observed over 10 days beginning on the 4th day of Bhadrapada (Hindu month). Public holiday in several Indian states. Best known for public pandals (elaborate temporary shrines), especially in Maharashtra.
Asarnha Bucha - the day the Buddha taught his first sermon after the rains retreat
Asarnha Bucha falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month and marks the end of the three-month Vassa rains retreat, when the Buddha is said to have delivered his first sermon at Deer Park. A public holiday in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Mawlid al-Nabi - the Islamic observance of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal
Mawlid al-Nabi on 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal (12 Rabi’ I, 1447 AH ≈ Aug 26-28, 2026) marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Observed by Sunni communities as a public holiday across much of the Muslim world; not widely celebrated in Shia-majority countries. Public holiday in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan.
Ashura - the 10th of Muharram, the martyrdom of Husayn at Karbala, and the Islamic new year observance
Ashura is observed on the 10th day of the first Islamic month (Muharram), commemorating for Shia Muslims the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is associated with the day Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh, and is marked by fasting and charitable acts.
Islamic New Year - 1 Muharram, the first day of the Hijri calendar
Islamic New Year on 1 Muharram marks the first day of the Hijri lunar calendar. Observed by Muslims worldwide; a public holiday in Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and several other Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority countries. Not a public holiday in Egypt, Turkey, or Pakistan.
Tisha B'Av - the Jewish day of mourning, the destruction of the Temples, and the day of Jewish catastrophes
Tisha B'Av is a Jewish day of mourning observed on the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, commemorating the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. The day is also associated with several other catastrophes in Jewish history, including the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and the start of World War I in 1914.
International observance(2)
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples - August 9, UN observance since 1994
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9 is a UN observance established in 1994 to mark the 1982 Working Group on Indigenous Populations. UNESCO, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and OHCHR run programming. Each year has an annual theme. Not a public holiday.
International Youth Day - August 12, UN observance of young people since 1999
International Youth Day on August 12 is a United Nations observance established in 1999 to recognise the contributions of young people to society and to highlight challenges they face. Each year carries a specific theme. Not a public holiday.