Ukraine, a nation of deep historical roots and vibrant cultural traditions, observes numerous public holidays that reflect its Orthodox Christian heritage, national pride, and seasonal celebrations.

Ukraine officially recognizes 12 national public holidays, many of which are religious or historical. Regional holidays and observances also hold significant importance, particularly in culturally diverse areas of the country.

However, due to ongoing conflict and war-related disruptions, the way these holidays are celebrated in 2025 may differ from past years. The current situation affects public gatherings, traditional festivities, and the availability of essential services during holidays.

2025 Ukraine Calendar - List of Public Holidays, Observances, Celebrations and Activities:
Holidays celebrated in Ukraine amidst wartime. Image: KnowInsiders.com

Impact of the War on Holidays

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine poses challenges to traditional celebrations:

• Safety Concerns: Public gatherings may be limited or canceled in areas close to conflict zones.

• Economic Strain: Wartime hardships affect the affordability of traditional feasts and decorations.

• Focus on Resilience: Holidays often take on a more symbolic role, highlighting unity, hope, and national pride.

Despite these challenges, Ukrainians continue to honor their holidays, adapting traditions to reflect the resilience of their spirit.

List of Public Holidays in Ukraine 2025: History, Significance and Celebrations

1. New Year’s Day (Новий рік / Novyi Rik)

  • Date: January 1, 2025
  • Type: National Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the calendar year. It is a time for reflection, renewal, and hope, particularly poignant during challenging times.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Families gather for festive meals, and many Ukrainians decorate New Year’s trees, a tradition inherited from pre-Soviet times. Fireworks displays, although a common tradition, may be muted due to wartime safety concerns.

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2. Orthodox Christmas (Різдво Христове / Rizdvo Khrystove)

  • Date: January 7, 2025
  • Type: National Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Celebrated according to the Julian calendar, Orthodox Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Ukrainians observe Christmas Eve with Sviaty Vechir (Holy Evening), a traditional dinner featuring 12 dishes, symbolizing the 12 apostles. Vertep (nativity plays) and kolyadky (carols) are performed, though communal gatherings may be limited due to the war.

3. Unity Day (День Соборності України / Den Sobornosti Ukrainy)

2025 Ukraine Calendar - List of Public Holidays, Observances, Celebrations and Activities
Unity Day in Ukraine
  • Date: January 22, 2025
  • Type: National Observance (Not a public holiday)
  • History and Significance:

    Unity Day commemorates the 1919 unification of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the West Ukrainian People’s Republic, symbolizing national unity.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Ukrainians often form symbolic human chains to mark unity, though such events may be curtailed for safety reasons. Flags and patriotic displays are common.

4. Women’s Day (Міжнародний жіночий день / Mizhnarodnyi Zhinochyi Den)

  • Date: March 8, 2025
  • Type: National Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women and advocates for gender equality.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    While traditionally marked with flowers and gifts, the ongoing conflict may shift focus toward honoring women’s roles in resilience and recovery efforts.

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5. Orthodox Easter (Великдень / Velykden)

  • Date: April 20, 2025
  • Type: National Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and some businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Orthodox Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is the most significant religious holiday in Ukraine.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Traditional activities include baking paska (Easter bread) and decorating pysanky (Easter eggs). Church services are central, though safety concerns may affect attendance in conflict zones.

6. Labour Day (День праці / Den Pratsi)

  • Date: May 1, 2025
  • Type: National Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Labour Day honors workers and the labor movement. In Ukraine, it has Soviet-era roots but has evolved into a day for rest and spring activities.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Public gatherings, such as picnics or marches, may be subdued due to security concerns.

7. Victory Day (День перемоги / Den Peremohy)

  • Date: May 9, 2025
  • Type: National Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Victory Day commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. In recent years, the holiday has shifted focus toward honoring Ukraine’s veterans and current defenders.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Ceremonies and wreath-laying events take place at war memorials. These events may be more subdued in 2025 due to ongoing hostilities.

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8. Constitution Day (День Конституції України / Den Konstytutsii Ukrainy)

  • Date: June 28, 2025
  • Type: National Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Constitution Day celebrates the adoption of Ukraine’s Constitution in 1996, solidifying its independence.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Official ceremonies and patriotic displays are held, though large gatherings may be avoided in certain areas.

9. Independence Day (День Незалежності України / Den Nezalezhnosti Ukrainy)

  • Date: August 24, 2025
  • Type: National Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Independence Day celebrates Ukraine’s 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Military parades and cultural performances usually mark this day, but celebrations may be adjusted due to wartime conditions.

10. Defender of Ukraine Day (День захисників і захисниць України / Den Zakhysnykiv i Zakhysnyts Ukrainy)

  • Date: October 14, 2025
  • Type: National Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    This day honors Ukraine’s defenders, past and present, and coincides with the Feast of the Intercession of the Theotokos.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Military ceremonies and tributes are held to honor those defending Ukraine’s sovereignty.

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11. Christmas Day (Різдво Христове / Rizdvo Khrystove)

  • Date: December 25, 2025
  • Type: National Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar, this Christmas observance has grown in importance alongside January 7 celebrations.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Church services, festive meals, and family gatherings are central. The dual Christmas celebrations reflect Ukraine’s cultural diversity.

More Observances and Regional Holidays in Ukraine 2025

1. International Holocaust Remembrance Day

  • Date: January 27, 2025
  • Type: Observance (Global)
  • Significance:

    Honors the victims of the Holocaust, with a focus on educating about the atrocities of World War II and combating antisemitism.

  • Celebrations:

    Memorial events and educational programs take place, particularly in cities like Kyiv and Lviv.

2. Day of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred (День Героїв Небесної Сотні / Den Heroiv Nebesnoi Sotni)

  • Date: February 20, 2025
  • Type: Observance
  • Significance:

    Honors those who lost their lives during the Euromaidan protests of 2014.

  • Celebrations:

    Candlelight vigils, memorial ceremonies, and exhibitions are held in remembrance of the victims.

3. Dragobete (Драгобете)

  • Date: February 24, 2025
  • Type: Cultural Observance
  • Significance:

    A traditional Ukrainian celebration of love and the arrival of spring, akin to Valentine’s Day.

  • Celebrations:

    Couples exchange gifts and attend local fairs. Traditional songs and dances are performed in rural areas.

4. Remembrance Day for the Victims of Political Repressions

  • Date: May 18, 2025
  • Type: Observance
  • Significance:

    Commemorates those who suffered during Soviet political repressions, including mass deportations and executions.

  • Celebrations:

    Memorial ceremonies are held at monuments and historical sites across Ukraine.

5. Ivan Kupala Day (Івана Купала / Ivana Kupala)

  • Date: July 7, 2025
  • Type: Cultural Observance
  • Significance:

    A traditional Slavic celebration of midsummer, marked by rituals related to water, fire, and fertility.

  • Celebrations:

    People participate in jumping over bonfires, floating flower wreaths on water, and singing folk songs.

6. Day of Ukrainian Statehood (День Української Державності / Den Ukrainskoi Derzhavnosti)

  • Date: July 28, 2025
  • Type: Observance
  • Significance:

    Celebrates the establishment of Ukraine’s statehood, rooted in the history of Kyivan Rus.

  • Celebrations:

    Events include exhibitions, lectures, and flag-raising ceremonies to highlight Ukraine’s rich historical heritage.

7. Vyshyvanka Day (День вишиванки / Den Vyshyvanky)

2025 Ukraine Calendar - List of Public Holidays, Observances, Celebrations and Activities
Ukrainians celebrate Vyshyvanka Day
  • Date: May 15, 2025
  • Type: Cultural Observance (Not fixed, celebrated on the third Thursday of May)
  • Significance:

    A day to celebrate the traditional embroidered Ukrainian shirt (vyshyvanka) as a symbol of national pride and cultural identity.

  • Celebrations:

    People wear vyshyvankas to work, school, or community events. Parades and fairs showcase Ukrainian traditions.

8. Holodomor Memorial Day (День пам’яті жертв голодоморів / Den Pamyati Zhertv Holodomoriv)

  • Date: November 22, 2025
  • Type: Observance
  • Significance:

    Commemorates the victims of the Holodomor, the Soviet-engineered famine of 1932–1933.

  • Celebrations:

    Candlelight vigils and memorial services are held nationwide. Ukrainians light candles in their windows at 4:00 PM as a gesture of remembrance.

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Regional and Local Holidays in Ukraine 2025

  1. Feast of the Intercession (Покрова Пресвятої Богородиці / Pokrova Presvyatoi Bohorodytsi)

    • Date: October 14, 2025
    • Observed in: Largely Western Ukraine (coincides with Defender of Ukraine Day).
    • Activities: Religious services and local celebrations honor the Virgin Mary.

  2. Day of the Carpathians (День Карпат / Den Karpat)

    • Date: September 27, 2025
    • Observed in: Carpathian regions.
    • Activities: Cultural fairs and hiking events highlight the natural beauty and traditions of the Carpathians.

  3. City Days (Дні міста / Dni Mista)

    • Dates: Vary by city.
    • Examples:
      • Kyiv Day: Last weekend of May.
      • Lviv Day: First weekend of May.
    • Activities: Parades, concerts, and community celebrations specific to each city’s history and culture.

Conclusion

Ukraine’s holidays and observances in 2025 reflect a blend of cultural pride, religious devotion, and historical remembrance. While public holidays provide moments of unity, regional observances and traditions highlight the country’s diversity. Amidst ongoing conflict, these celebrations serve as vital reminders of resilience, hope, and national identity.

FAQs

What are the most important holidays in Ukraine?

Orthodox Christmas, Easter, and Independence Day are among Ukraine’s most significant holidays.

How has the war affected public holidays?

Celebrations are often scaled back due to safety concerns, but they remain vital for fostering unity and resilience.

Are shops and offices open on public holidays in Ukraine?

Most shops and offices close on public holidays, though essential services and some businesses may remain open.

Do Ukrainians celebrate two Christmases?

Yes, Ukraine observes Christmas on both January 7 (Julian calendar) and December 25 (Gregorian calendar).

How is Independence Day celebrated during the war?

Celebrations focus on honoring Ukraine’s defenders and reaffirming national pride, with adjustments for safety and security.

What are the key observances in Ukraine?

Unity Day, Holodomor Memorial Day, and Vyshyvanka Day are significant non-public holidays.

How do Ukrainians celebrate regional holidays?

Each region observes local holidays with unique traditions, such as City Days or Ivan Kupala festivities.

Do regional holidays overlap with public holidays?

Some regional holidays, like Defender of Ukraine Day in Western Ukraine, coincide with national holidays, enhancing local significance.

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