Public holidays
Jamaica: 11 public holiday dates in 2026 (11 days off) and 13 in 2027 (13 days off), with 253 working days in 2026 and 252 in 2027. National holidays only: regional ones are not included.
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 1 January 2026 | 2026-W01 | New Year's Day | Yes |
| Wednesday 18 February 2026 | 2026-W08 | Ash Wednesday | Yes |
| Friday 3 April 2026 | 2026-W14 | Good Friday | Yes |
| Monday 6 April 2026 | 2026-W15 | Easter Monday | Yes |
| Saturday 23 May 2026 | 2026-W21 | National Labour Day | Yes |
| Monday 25 May 2026 | 2026-W22 | National Labour Day | Yes |
| Saturday 1 August 2026 | 2026-W31 | Emancipation Day | Yes |
| Thursday 6 August 2026 | 2026-W32 | Independence Day | Yes |
| Monday 19 October 2026 | 2026-W43 | National Heroes Day | Yes |
| Friday 25 December 2026 | 2026-W52 | Christmas Day | Yes |
| Saturday 26 December 2026 | 2026-W52 | Boxing Day | Yes |
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 1 January 2027 | 2026-W53 | New Year's Day | Yes |
| Wednesday 10 February 2027 | 2027-W06 | Ash Wednesday | Yes |
| Friday 26 March 2027 | 2027-W12 | Good Friday | Yes |
| Monday 29 March 2027 | 2027-W13 | Easter Monday | Yes |
| Sunday 23 May 2027 | 2027-W20 | National Labour Day | Yes |
| Monday 24 May 2027 | 2027-W21 | National Labour Day | Yes |
| Sunday 1 August 2027 | 2027-W30 | Emancipation Day | Yes |
| Monday 2 August 2027 | 2027-W31 | Emancipation Day | Yes |
| Friday 6 August 2027 | 2027-W31 | Independence Day | Yes |
| Monday 18 October 2027 | 2027-W42 | National Heroes Day | Yes |
| Saturday 25 December 2027 | 2027-W51 | Christmas Day | Yes |
| Sunday 26 December 2027 | 2027-W51 | Boxing Day | Yes |
| Monday 27 December 2027 | 2027-W52 | Boxing Day | Yes |
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Wednesday | Wednesday 18 February 2026 | Wednesday 10 February 2027 | −8 days |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April 2026 | Friday 26 March 2027 | −8 days, changes month |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April 2026 | Monday 29 March 2027 | −8 days, changes month |
| National Heroes Day | Monday 19 October 2026 | Monday 18 October 2027 | −1 day |
A shift ignores the year: +19 days means 19 days later in the calendar.
| Month | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21 | 20 | −1 |
| February | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| March | 22 | 21 | −1 |
| April | 20 | 22 | +2 |
| May | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| June | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| July | 23 | 22 | −1 |
| August | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| September | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| October | 21 | 20 | −1 |
| November | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| December | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| Q1 | 62 | 60 | −2 |
| Q2 | 62 | 64 | +2 |
| Q3 | 65 | 64 | −1 |
| Q4 | 64 | 64 | 0 |
| Year | 253 | 252 | −1 |
Weekdays by the local weekend (Sunday and Saturday), minus the public holidays most people have off.
The first day of the calendar year in the Gregorian calendar, 1 January. Cultures and religions that follow a lunisolar or lunar calendar celebrate their New Year at other points of the year. Japan celebrates New Year on 1 January, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, instead of with the Chinese calendar that was in use until 1873.
At work: Fine to mention, and a natural moment to wish colleagues well.
The first day of Lent, the seven weeks of prayer, fasting and almsgiving before Easter. It falls 46 days before Easter Sunday. Worshippers have ashes marked on their foreheads, usually in a cross.
At work: Fine to mention with respect. Colleagues may fast or abstain from meat.
A solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus, observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. It falls on the Friday immediately before Easter Sunday.
At work: Fine to mention the long weekend. It is a sombre day for those who observe it, so avoid "Happy Good Friday". Its date moves every year with Easter, so check the calendar when planning spring deadlines.
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and is the most important feast of the Christian year. Families go to church and share a festive meal, and in many places Easter eggs are decorated and broken together as a symbol of the empty tomb. Easter is a moveable feast, with its date set by a lunisolar calendar. Easter Monday, the day after, is a public holiday in more than 50 predominantly Christian countries.
At work: Widely welcome to mention. Colleagues may be away for the whole long weekend.
23 May is Labour Day in Jamaica, when people take part in community improvement projects.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
Marks the end of slavery for people of African descent. In many former British Caribbean territories it commemorates the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which came into force on 1 August 1834, with full emancipation reached in 1838 after an apprenticeship period. Some places keep 1 August and others the first Monday of August. Celebrations include parades, cultural performances, vigils and readings of the emancipation proclamation.
At work: Fine to mention with respect: it is both a celebration of freedom and a remembrance of slavery. A day off where it is a holiday; the card shows the date.
Marks 6 August 1962, when Jamaica became independent from the United Kingdom.
At work: Very welcome to mention. A day off.
Heroes' Day, on the third Monday of October, honours Jamaica's National Heroes, including Alexander Bustamante, the first prime minister, and Nanny of the Maroons, who led a fight for independence in the early 18th century.
At work: Fine to mention. A Monday off, so a long weekend.
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on 25 December. Eastern Christian Churches that follow the older Julian calendar celebrate it on 25 December of that calendar, which currently corresponds to 7 January. It is a public holiday in many countries, and many non-Christians celebrate it culturally too.
At work: Widely welcome to mention. Plan important meetings before the break. If you're unsure whether someone celebrates it, "Happy holidays" is a safe choice.
Boxing Day is celebrated on 26 December, the day after Christmas. It was once a day to donate gifts to those in need and has become part of the Christmas festivities. It originated in the United Kingdom and is celebrated in several Commonwealth nations. It is usually concurrent with Saint Stephen's Day, which in parts of Europe is the second day of Christmas.
At work: Fine to mention. It is part of the Christmas break.
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