Haiti Public Holidays 2025
Haiti has 16 public holidays and 3 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | Independence Day | public |
| 2 Jan | Thu | Ancestry Day | public |
| 6 Jan | Mon | Epiphany | observance |
| 3 Mar | Mon | Lundi Gras | public |
| 4 Mar | Tue | Mardi Gras | public |
| 5 Mar | Wed | Ash Wednesday | observance |
| 18 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | public |
| 20 Apr | Sun | Easter Sunday | public |
| 1 May | Thu | Labour Day | public |
| 18 May | Sun | Flag and Universities' Day | public |
| 29 May | Thu | Ascension Day | public |
| 19 Jun | Thu | Corpus Christi | public |
| 15 Aug | Fri | Assumption | public |
| 17 Oct | Fri | Anniversary of the death of Dessalines | public |
| 1 Nov | Sat | All Saints' Day | public |
| 2 Nov | Sun | All Souls' Day | public |
| 18 Nov | Tue | Battle of Vertières Day | public |
| 5 Dec | Fri | Discovery Day | observance |
| 25 Dec | Thu | Christmas Day | public |
About Haiti's Holidays
Haiti has a few big national holidays that mark its history and identity. Independence Day on January first celebrates freedom from colonial rule. Flag Day on May eighteenth honors the national flag and pride in education.
Religious holidays like Easter and Christmas are widely observed. Catholic rituals mix with Vodou traditions, so cultural events such as Rara music parades and Vodou festivals happen especially in spring and around All Saints and All Souls in November.
Labor Day and other public holidays give people time off work. Carnival before Lent is a loud, colorful celebration with music, dancing, costumes, and community gatherings that show Haiti s lively culture and creativity.
Holiday Traditions
Haitian holidays mix Catholic and Vodou traditions. People visit church or hold ceremonies with drumming, singing, and colorful costumes. Rituals honor ancestors and community. Music and dance are central and bring everyone together in joyful ways.
Food is very important. Families cook rich stews, rice and beans, fried plantains, and special soups like soup joumou for big days. Meals are shared at long tables. Cooking and eating together show love and respect for history and family.
Public celebrations fill streets with parades, floats, and noisy bands called rara. Markets bustle and children play. Fireworks and flags appear at night. Communities host festivals where neighbors greet each other and celebrate their culture and resilience.
Travel Tips
Holiday season in Haiti means many government offices, banks, and some shops close or have short hours. Expect markets and small stores to stay open more, but municipal services may be limited on major holidays and surrounding days.
Transportation can be slower and more crowded. Buses and shared vans fill up, and flights may sell out or change schedules. Allow extra travel time, confirm reservations, and expect possible delays for ferry or ground travel.
Plan ahead by booking flights and hotels early and carrying cash in local currency. Keep copies of documents and a charged phone. Be flexible with plans and follow local advice for safety and crowd navigation.