2024 Holidays - Bahrain
| Name | Weekday | Date | Type | Subdivisions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Monday | Jan. 1, 2024 | National | All |
| Eid Al Fitr | Wednesday | April 10, 2024 | National | All |
| Eid Al Fitr Holiday | Thursday | April 11, 2024 | National | All |
| Eid Al Fitr Holiday | Friday | April 12, 2024 | National | All |
| Labour Day | Wednesday | May 1, 2024 | National | All |
| Arafat (Haj) Day | Saturday | June 15, 2024 | National | All |
| Eid Al Adha | Sunday | June 16, 2024 | National | All |
| Eid Al Adha Holiday | Monday | June 17, 2024 | National | All |
| Eid Al Adha Holiday | Tuesday | June 18, 2024 | National | All |
| Hijri New Year | Sunday | July 7, 2024 | National | All |
| Ashoora Eve | Tuesday | July 16, 2024 | National | All |
| Ashoora | Wednesday | July 17, 2024 | National | All |
| Prophet's Birthday | Sunday | Sept. 15, 2024 | National | All |
| National Day | Monday | Dec. 16, 2024 | National | All |
| National Day Holiday | Tuesday | Dec. 17, 2024 | National | All |
* Estimated holiday dates
We continuously monitor and update holiday information, but there may be occasional inaccuracies.
Bahrain workweek and weekend
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workday | Workday | Workday | Workday | Weekend | Weekend | Workday |
Bahrain Public Holiday Observance Rules
1. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend
- Bahrain's official weekend is Friday and Saturday.
- If a public holiday falls on a Friday, it is moved to Sunday to ensure employees get a day off.
- If a public holiday falls on a Saturday, there is no automatic replacement holiday unless announced by the government.
2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Friday
- Since Friday is a mandatory rest day, the holiday is officially observed on Sunday instead.
- This applies to national and religious holidays, such as National Day (December 16th & 17th) and Islamic holidays.
3. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday
- No automatic replacement holiday is given unless the government declares a substitution day.
- Some private-sector employers may offer a compensatory day off, but this is not legally required.
4. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)
- Bahrain does not have an automatic system of bridge holidays, but the government may declare additional holidays around major events to create long weekends.
- If a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, the government may grant Monday or Sunday off to extend the weekend.
- Bridge holidays are more common for Eid holidays and National Day celebrations.
5. Special Cases for Public Holidays
- Eid al-Fitr & Eid al-Adha: These Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar, and compensatory days may be given if they fall on a Friday.
- Islamic New Year & Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday: If they fall on a Friday, the holiday is moved to Sunday.
- National Day (December 16th-17th): If either day falls on a weekend, the government may announce a substitute holiday.
- Ashura (9th & 10th Muharram): One of the most significant religious observances, with official holidays declared for both days.
6. Additional Notes
- The Bahraini government announces official public holidays annually, including any adjustments for weekend holidays.
- Private businesses are not legally required to close on public holidays, but most follow the official holiday schedule.
- Employees working on a public holiday are entitled to overtime pay (usually 1.5x or 2x normal salary) or a compensatory rest day, based on labor laws.
- Bahrain follows Islamic and Gregorian calendars, so some holidays change dates every year based on the Hijri calendar.