Cook Islands Public Holidays 2025
Cook Islands has 12 public holidays and 0 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year's Day | public |
| 2 Jan | Thu | Day after New Year's Day | public |
| 18 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | public |
| 21 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday | public |
| 25 Apr | Fri | Anzac Day | public |
| 2 Jun | Mon | Queen's Birthday | public |
| 4 Jul | Fri | Ra o te Ui Ariki (House of Ariki) | public |
| 4 Aug | Mon | Constitution Day | public |
| 26 Oct | Sun | National Gospel Day | public |
| 27 Oct | Mon | National Gospel Day (substitute day) | public |
| 25 Dec | Thu | Christmas Day | public |
| 26 Dec | Fri | Boxing Day | public |
About Cook Islands's Holidays
The Cook Islands celebrate a mix of national, public, and cultural holidays. Many public days follow the Christian calendar like Christmas, Good Friday and Easter. New Year is also widely observed with family gatherings and church services.
National identity days are important. Anzac Day remembers New Zealand and Australian soldiers. Constitution Day and Te Maeva Nui festival celebrate self governance, language and culture with music, dance and parades. Public holidays also include official royal or national birthday observances and other civic days, giving people time to rest, attend church, and join community celebrations of Cook Islands identity and heritage.
Holiday Traditions
In the Cook Islands people celebrate with strong ties to land and sea. Tradition mixes Christian rituals and Polynesian customs. Church services, singing and prayer often start the day. Respect for elders and chiefs is very important.
Food is central. Families cook fresh fish, taro, breadfruit and coconut dishes. Large feasts called poka bring neighbors together. Music, drumming and dancing follow meals. People wear colorful pareu and floral crowns to show island pride.
Public celebrations are lively. Villages hold parades, games and tapa cloth displays. Tourists may watch cultural shows with dancing and fire knife performances. The mood is joyful, warm and very community focused.
Travel Tips
Cook Islands holiday season means many government offices, banks and some shops close on public holidays and Sundays. Supermarkets and health clinics may have reduced hours. Bring some cash because card machines can be offline when staff are limited.
Inter island flights and ferries often run on a reduced schedule and fill up fast. Taxis and rental cars can be scarce during peak days around late December and early January. Book flights, ferries and lodging well in advance and allow extra travel time for delays.
Expect beaches, restaurants and resorts to be busiest around Christmas and New Year. Carry basic medicines, check opening hours before you travel, and be polite to local customs. Keep plans flexible for closures and transportation changes.