Public Holidays in Antigua and Barbuda 2026
13 public and observed holiday dates in 2026
Antigua and Barbuda's 2026 public holidays include Easter, Whit Monday, the two-day Carnival break, Independence Day and V.C. Bird Day. The government corrected the 2026 National Day of Prayer to 10 September, and Independence Day is observed on Monday 2 November because 1 November falls on a Sunday.
Antigua and Barbuda Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 4 | Monday | Labour Day |
| May 25 | Monday | Whit Monday |
| Aug 3 | Monday | Carnival Monday |
| Aug 4 | Tuesday | Carnival Tuesday |
| Sep 10 | Thursday | National Day of Prayer |
| Nov 1 | Sunday | Independence Day |
| Nov 2 | Monday | Independence DayObserved |
| Dec 9 | Wednesday | V.C. Bird Day |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Saturday | Boxing Day |
Holiday rules can vary by sector or locality. Future religious and officially declared dates should be rechecked before travel, payroll or business planning.
Carnival and Independence Holidays 2026
Holiday Rules in Antigua and Barbuda
The Public Holidays legislation sets rules for several observed days. In particular, weekend placement of Christmas and Boxing Day can create Monday and Tuesday public holidays, while Independence Day may also be observed on a weekday when required.
Antigua and Barbuda Holiday Calendar: What to Know
- Carnival Monday and Tuesday are national public holidays in August.
- Independence Day is 1 November.
- V.C. Bird Day is observed on 9 December.
- The 2026 National Day of Prayer was officially corrected to 10 September.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Carnival in Antigua and Barbuda?
The public-holiday portion of Carnival is Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday in early August.
When is Independence Day?
Independence Day is 1 November, with an observed weekday used when the calendar requires it.
What is V.C. Bird Day?
V.C. Bird Day on 9 December commemorates the country’s first prime minister, Sir Vere Cornwall Bird.
Why are there extra holidays in December 2027?
Christmas and Boxing Day fall on the weekend, triggering observed public holidays on 27 and 28 December.
Sources & methodology
View sources used for this page
Government Labour Department notice reproducing the corrected official 2026 list and observed Independence Day.
Independent calendar cross-check used for date, weekday and observed-day review. Government notices and statutory rules take precedence where they differ.
Source hierarchy: government, statutory or institutional material is the primary reference. Timeanddate is retained only as an independent cross-check; later official declarations take precedence.