Public Holidays in Jamaica 2026
10 public holiday dates in 2026
Jamaica has 10 public holiday dates in 2026. National Labour Day is observed on Monday, May 25 because May 23 falls on a Saturday. Emancipation Day remains Saturday, August 1, with no additional Monday holiday, while Independence Day is Thursday, August 6.
Jamaica Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Feb 18 | Wednesday | Ash Wednesday |
| Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 25 | Monday | National Labour Day |
| Aug 1 | Saturday | Emancipation Day |
| Aug 6 | Thursday | Independence Day |
| Oct 19 | Monday | National Heroes' Day |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Saturday | Boxing Day |
Observed-day treatment follows Jamaica's public-holiday rules; one-off government declarations are not included.
Emancipation and Independence 2026
Emancipation Day on 1 August and Independence Day on 6 August create the country's most important national holiday period. National Heroes' Day follows on the third Monday in October.
Holiday Rules in Jamaica
Jamaica's Holidays (Public General) Act moves National Labour Day to the following Monday when May 23 falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Emancipation Day moves only when August 1 falls on a Sunday. In 2026, Labour Day is Monday, May 25, while Emancipation Day remains Saturday, August 1.
Jamaica Holiday Calendar: What to Know
- Independence Day is 6 August.
- Emancipation Day is 1 August.
- National Heroes' Day is the third Monday in October.
- Driving is on the left.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Jamaica Independence Day?
It is observed on 6 August.
What happens when a holiday falls on Sunday?
For selected holidays, the following Monday is observed.
When is National Heroes' Day?
It is the third Monday in October.
Is Ash Wednesday a public holiday?
Yes. It is a national public holiday in Jamaica.
Sources & methodology
View sources used for this page
Official Ministry of Labour notice confirming the 2026 Labour Day observed-date rule.
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 used as the primary reference where available. Timeanddate is retained only as an independent calendar cross-check. Later official declarations take precedence.