2023 Holidays - Aruba
Aruba workweek and weekend
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workday | Workday | Workday | Workday | Workday | Weekend | Weekend |
Aruba Public Holiday Observance Rules
1. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend
- If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no automatic replacement holiday on a weekday.
- Employees who normally do not work on weekends do not receive an extra day off unless specified by their employer.
2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday
- The holiday remains on Saturday, and there is no official observance on another weekday.
- Some government institutions and private companies may grant an additional day off, but this is not mandatory.
3. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday
- The holiday remains on Sunday, and there is no automatic move to Monday.
- Businesses that normally close on Sundays may remain closed as usual, but there is no extra holiday granted.
4. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)
- Aruba does not have an official system of bridge holidays.
- However, if a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, some businesses and schools may close on Monday or Friday to create a long weekend.
- Government offices and major employers may adjust work schedules accordingly.
5. Special Cases for Public Holidays
- New Year’s Day (January 1st): If it falls on a weekend, there is no replacement holiday.
- Carnival Monday (Movable Date, usually February or March): Always observed on a Monday, ensuring a long weekend.
- National Anthem and Flag Day (March 18th): If it falls on a weekend, it remains on that day without substitution.
- King’s Day (April 27th): A major holiday, but if it falls on a weekend, there is no automatic substitution.
- Christmas and Boxing Day (December 25th & 26th): These holidays remain fixed on their dates, and there is no extra day off if they fall on a weekend.
6. Additional Notes
- The Aruban government announces official public holidays annually, but it does not provide substitute days for holidays falling on weekends.
- Private businesses and hotels may have different holiday policies, particularly in the tourism industry, where operations continue on public holidays.
- Employees working on a public holiday are entitled to extra pay, usually double time or compensatory time off, depending on labor agreements.
- Since Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, some Dutch holidays are recognized, but Aruba maintains its own unique national holidays.