Qatar Calendar 2025 - List of Public Holidays, Observances: Dates, Meanings, and Activities
The lively Kingdom of Qatar boasts a rich array of events and festivals that reflect its dynamic culture. The numerous festivals celebrated in Qatar highlight the significance of understanding their role in the country's history. As a result, these festivals offer a chance for both residents of Qatar and visiting foreigners to gain insight into its culture and history.
Regardless of whether you reside in or are merely visiting Qatar, it is essential to be aware of its numerous holidays. These can provide an excellent opportunity to experience Qatari culture, sample local cuisine, or simply enjoy some leisure time away from work.
Learn more: How to Drink Legally Alcohol in Qatar to Avoid Prison
How many public holidays are there in Qatar?
There are four official public holidays in Qatar. These are:
Qatar National Day (اليوم الوطني لقطر)
National Sports Day (اليوم الوطني للرياضة)
Eid al-Fitr (عيد الفطر)
Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى)
Eid al-Fitr, which commemorates the end of Ramadan, is the most widely observed holiday in Qatar. The dates are only estimates that could differ by one or two days; it starts the day after the crescent moon is sighted.
In addition, there are frequently celebratory occasions like carnivals, discount sales, and fireworks displays, where friends and family get together to exchange gifts. Additionally, during this time, employees are entitled to time off.
Qatar's Public Holidays in 2025
Kindly be aware that the dates for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may vary, contingent upon the observations of the moon.
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| Qatar's Public Holidays in 2025 |
Full List of Public Holidays and Observances in Qatar in 2025
1 Jan Wednesday New Year's Day, Bank holiday
New Year’s Day, which falls on January 1st, marks the start of the year according to the Gregorian calendar and is a public holiday in many nations.No matter where you are, enjoy the countdown to the New Year.
Although the Qatar Central Bank and other financial institutions in the nation observe this day as a holiday, it is not a national public holiday.
11 Feb Tuesday, National Sports Day, Public Holiday
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| National Sports Day in Qatar |
Every year on the second Tuesday in February, Qatar observes this public holiday. The holiday's main objective is to motivate Qataris to live healthier lives.
The first National Sports Day was held in 2012. In December 2011, Heir Apparent and Deputy Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued an order that prompted this action. According to the decree, the second Tuesday in February would be designated as Qatar's National Sports Day.
On this day, more than 100 government ministries and private sector companies organize various public events and encourage their employees to play sports enthusiastically.There are numerous free sporting events and social competitions, such as football, basketball, tennis, taekwondo, cycling, and swimming, to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to engage in sports.
The celebration of National Sports Day highlights the role that sports play in creating a community that is physically and mentally healthy. The day is part of the Qatar National Vision 2030 initiative.
One of the few countries that observes a day for sports is Qatar.
1 Mar Saturday, Ramadan Start (Tentative Date), Observance
Ramadan, also known as Ramadhan or Ramzan, is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. This period is devoted to prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and religious observance by Muslims worldwide. The last third of Ramadan is particularly sacred because it commemorates the day that the Prophet Muhammad (also called Muhammad or Muhammad) received the first revelations of the Koran (also called the Qu'ran).
Ramadan starts on Saturday, March 1, 2025, even though it is a working day. The majority of businesses in Qatar are open during regular business hours.
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2 Mar Sunday, March bank holiday, Bank holiday
This is a holiday for the Qatar Central Bank and other financial institutions in the country; it is not a nationwide public holiday.
20 Mar Thursday March Equinox Season
The Sun moves from south to north across the celestial equator, an imaginary line in the sky above Earth's equator, on the March equinox. Every year on March 19, 20, or 21, this takes place.
30 Mar to 2 Apr, Sun to Wed, Eid al-Fitr Holiday, Public holiday
As a national holiday, Eid Al Fitr is celebrated annually in Qatar with great religious zeal and secular joy. Shawwal is the first day of the Islamic month following the holy month of Ramadan, and the holiday falls on the first day of that month.
It is not until the local sighting of a new moon that the date of Eid Al Fitr is officially announced; the Western calendar determines the date each year.
As part of the Eid Al Fitr celebrations, Qataris don new garments, gather in mosques or outdoor prayer grounds for communal prayer, feast on abundant, festive meals with loved ones, pay a visit to relatives and greet them with "Eid Mubbarak!" (Blessed Eid!), and, as a form of charity, give candy and other small gifts to children.
Public servants in Qatar are eligible for a maximum of eleven consecutive days off, including weekends, to celebrate Eid Al Fitr. Not only do public school students and teachers take long breaks, but so do private sector employees. During this time of year, a large number of Qataris go on vacation abroad, while others stay home to enjoy all the festive events that Qatar has to offer.
31 Mar Monday Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) Public holiday
Eid ul Fitr is the celebration of the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of prayer and fasting, for Muslims worldwide. Within the Islamic calendar, it is one of the biggest and most significant holidays.
It is a public holiday on Eid al-Fitr. The majority of businesses and schools are closed, and most people have the day off.
1 Apr Tuesday Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date) Public holiday
It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
2 Apr Wednesday Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date) Public holiday
It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
5 Jun to 7 Jun, Thu to Sat, Eid al-Adha Holiday, Public Holiday
People in Qatar have public holidays in honor of Eid al-Adha, which means "the Feast of Sacrifice." It is one of the most important holidays for Muslims.
People celebrate Eid al-Adha to remember the story in the Koran about how Ibrahim was willing to kill his son Ishmael on an altar to follow Allah's command. After Ibrahim passed the test, he was given a ram to sacrifice instead of his son.
Eid al-Adha is the second most important Muslim holiday. It comes 70 days after Eid al-Fitr and lasts for four days straight, starting on the 10th day of the last month of the Islamic calendar.
As part of Islamic law, people must go on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and sacrifice animals like cattle, goats, or sheep. Other things that people do are wear new clothes, go to special services at mosques, and pray early in the morning in one of Qatar's nearly 300 mosques or prayer areas. Large family feasts are held with the food from the sacrifices, and a third of it is usually given to the poor.
Workers in the private sector in Qatar usually get three days off around Eid al-Adha, while workers in the government usually get five days off. During this time, most schools will be closed. Most banks will be closed, but some banks, usually those in shopping malls, will be open on some days, though only for a short time.
 Islamic Calendar in 2025: Important Dates, Holidays, Observances and Celebrations |
7 Jun Saturday Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) (Tentative Date) Public holiday
Muslims offer an animal sacrifice as a sign of their obedience to Allah on Eid al-Adha. A tale from the Quran that is well-known to Christians and Jews serves as the basis for the celebration.
The Feast of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha, is observed as a public holiday. The majority of businesses and schools are closed, and most people have the day off.
Since it falls on a Saturday in 2025, some establishments might decide to keep their regular Saturday hours.
8 Jun Sunday Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date) Public holiday
It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
9 Jun Monday Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date) Public holiday
It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
21 Jun Saturday June Solstice Season
To be in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun must be directly above the Tropic of Cancer on June 21. It gets as far north as this latitude during the year. It starts moving south again after the solstice.
22 Sep Monday September Equinox Season
The September equinox is when the Sun moves from north to south across the celestial equator, which is a made-up line in the sky above Earth's equator. Most years, this takes place on September 22, 23, or 24.
18 Dec Thursday, National Day/Founder’s Day, Public Holiday
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| National Day in Qatar |
On December 18th, this public holiday is observed every year. Today is 'Founder's Day,' more commonly known as Qatar's National Day. The following Sunday might be declared a one-time public holiday if December 18th falls on a Friday or Saturday.
Al-Yaoum-al-Watani, Qatar National Day, commemorates the momentous event in 1878 when Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani succeeded his father, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Thani, as ruler of Qatar.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Emir and Heir Apparent, issued a decree on June 21, 2007, creating the holiday. Since businesses and schools are closed, most people have the day off.
The event, which is marked by a magnificent parade in Doha, the capital of Qatar, enables Qataris to celebrate their sense of national identity. The parade, which features military performances by the Qatari military and ends with an appearance by members of the ruling family, is the holiday's main attraction.
A large number of Qataris decorate their cars and homes with national flags and other patriotic symbols. Attendees assemble at the corniche to watch the yearly procession and cheer enthusiastically as airplanes perform aerial acrobatics.
21 Dec Sunday December Solstice Season
When the Southern Hemisphere's Sun crosses directly over the Tropic of Capricorn in December, we say that it is the winter solstice. At this time of year, it reaches its southernmost latitude. Once the solstice has passed, it starts to head north once more.
31 Dec Wednesday New Year's Eve Observance
New Year’s Eve is a significant global celebration as it signifies the final day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, December 31, preceding the New Year.Celebrate the countdown to the New Year, regardless of your location across the globe.
New Year's Eve is not recognized as a public holiday. Businesses operate during standard opening hours.
FAQs
Is Friday a public holiday in Qatar?
Saturday and Friday are free days. But only for half a day on Thursday, most businesses are open on Friday.
What is the biggest holiday in Qatar?
The most celebrated religious holiday of the year, Eid, marks the end of Ramadan, the month-long fast.
How are public holidays celebrated in Qatar?
In Qatar, parades, road shows, rituals, and prayers to the Almighty are all part of the celebration of public holidays.
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