📅 holiday

Eid al-Fitr Holiday *

Friday, March 20, 2026

— days to go

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated in Somalia with much religious fervour and general merriment. The national holiday comes on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, immediately following the holy month of Ramadan and month-long period of fasting, prayer and devotion. It is one of the most important of all Muslim commemorations. In 2027, Eid al-Fitr falls on Wednesday 10 March. The holiday will be on Saturday 26 February in 2028. Note: Eid al-Fitr Holiday is observed in Somaliland only. As over 99 percent of the Somali population identify as Muslim, almost everyone here takes part in Ramadan fasting and Eid celebrations. Eid is a welcome break after the rigorous fast of Ramadan. It is a time to indulge in all kinds of delicious dishes and in festive “halva” sweets. Halva originated in the Middle East and is a confectionary bar that includes an array of spices and sometimes peanuts. It is normally only served at Eid or at weddings. Somali biscuits, basmati rice, and a host of dishes are also enjoyed this time of year. In Mogadishu and other coastal cities of Somalia, Eid is a popular time to head to the beaches to swim, sun oneself, or have a picnic on the sand.

History

The national holiday comes on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, immediately following the holy month of Ramadan and month-long period of fasting, prayer and devotion. Halva originated in the Middle East and is a confectionary bar that includes an array of spices and sometimes peanuts. Somali biscuits, basmati rice, and a host of dishes are also enjoyed this time of year. In Mogadishu and other coastal cities of Somalia, Eid is a popular time to head to the beaches to swim, sun onese

How It's Celebrated

Other Years

2026 Fri

20 Mar

2027 Wed

10 Mar

2028 Sat

26 Feb

2025 Mon

31 Mar

2024 Wed

10 Apr

Countries

🇸🇴 SO

View all →

📅 holiday Feb 10

Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck

The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is a holiday unique to Malta because it was on Malta that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked around the year A.D. 60. In 2027, Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck falls on Wednesday 10 February. The holiday will be on Thursday 10 February in 2028. The feast is kept on February 10th each year, and as Paul is the patron saint of Malta, it is a much-anticipated event. Out of dozens of “saint days” on the church calendar in Malta, the Feast of Saint Paul is one of only a handful that have the status of a national holiday. The account of Paul’s shipwreck and three-month, wintertime stay on Malta is found in the Bible’s Acts 27:27 through 28:11. He was being taken to Rome as a prisoner to eventually stand trial before Caesar. God let him know in advance he would be shipwrecked but would spare the lives of all on board, which promise was later kept and in answer to Paul’s prayers for their lives. The Bible says the storm was in the Adriatic Sea, though Malta borders the Ionian Sea, because in ancient times, the Adriatic’s boundaries were considered to extend much farther south. The ship broke up on the rocks near the shores of Malta, and all swam ashore. The local population greeted them, but thought he might be a murderer whom the “goddess of justice” had finally caught up with after he was bitten by a poisonous snake. After he lived, however, they supposed him to be, perhaps, a god. Paul, however, soon showed them it was God’s power at work in a mere man by healing the governor of the island, Publius, and many others who were sick or disabled among the island’s population. No doubt, Paul preached the Gospel to them as well, and when he left Malta, the inhabitants gave him all necessary supplies out of gratitude. The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is kept at the “Parish Church of Saint Paul Shipwrecked” in Malta’s capital city of Valletta. It is also a day of processions and family get-togethers. Three things to do should you visit Malta, though hopefully not be shipwrecked there, on February 10th are:

📅 holiday Feb 23

Defender of the Fatherland Day

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a public holiday in RU.

🌍 observance Feb 25

Choiseul Province Day

In 1568, Choiseul. Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendaña de Neira discovered the island of Choiseul, in what is now known as the Solomon Islands

📅 holiday Mar 19

St Joseph's Day

Every 19 March is celebrated as Saint Joseph’s Day in Roman Catholic cantons of the Swiss Confederation. In 2027, St Joseph's Day falls on Friday 19 March. The holiday will be on Sunday 19 March in 2028. However, in recent years, people have paid it less and less mind, and many local businesses in these regions don’t even close on Saint Joseph’s Day like they used to. Interestingly, there are two different religious feast days dedicated to Joseph in Roman Catholicism. Saint Joseph’s Day focuses on his role as the husband of Mary and “step father” of the child Jesus. But on 1 May, Saint Joseph the Worker day focuses on his role as the patron saint of all carpenters. There aren’t many events in areas of Switzerland celebrating Saint Joseph’s Day on 19 March. For those who have the day off, it is often spent relaxing, shopping or getting outdoors in the Spring weather.

CHESVA +1