Fiji Day 2025
Date: October 10, 2025 (Friday)
Country: Fiji Public Holidays
Description
Fiji Day is the national holiday that marks Fiji becoming an independent country. It is a day when people remember the moment Fiji began governing itself instead of being ruled by another nation.
Fiji Day takes place every year on October 10. This date marks the formal declaration of independence in 1970. It is fixed on the calendar and observed across the whole country by citizens of all backgrounds.
The holiday means more than a date. It represents Fiji as a nation with its own identity, laws, and future. People think about the struggles and efforts that led to independence and the leaders who helped make it happen.
Fiji Day is significant because it celebrates national unity and shared citizenship. It reminds people of the importance of working together to build a peaceful and prosperous country for current and future generations.
Traditions
Streets fill with parades, marching bands, and colourful traditional dress. People decorate homes and public spaces with flags and flowers. Schoolchildren perform dances and songs, and community groups put on stage shows that mix Fijian, Indian, and other island traditions.
Food is central. Families and villages gather for big communal feasts called lovo cooked in an earth oven. You will also find curries, root crops, fresh fish, tropical fruits, and sweet treats shared on mats while people talk and laugh together for hours.
Rituals include ceremonial greeting and yaqona kava sessions where people sit in a circle, share the drink, and speak respectfully. Many attend church services or blessing ceremonies to mark the day and give thanks together.
Travel Tips
Many shops, banks, and some restaurants close for Fiji Day. Public transport may run less often and taxis get busy. Book ferries and transfers in advance. Carry local cash because some ATMs may be empty or closed.
Expect parades and fireworks in town centers. Stay with your group, watch children near crowds, and follow police instructions. Wear sun protection and drink water. Join community events or markets early to avoid rush and enjoy a safe, respectful visit.