Public holidays
Papua New Guinea: 11 public holiday dates in 2026 (11 days off) and 12 in 2027 (12 days off), with 252 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 |
| Thursday 26 February 2026 | 2026-W09 | Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare Remembrance Day | Yes |
| Friday 3 April 2026 | 2026-W14 | Good Friday | Yes |
| Sunday 5 April 2026 | 2026-W14 | Easter Sunday | Yes |
| Monday 6 April 2026 | 2026-W15 | Easter Monday | Yes |
| Wednesday 17 June 2026 | 2026-W25 | King's Birthday | Yes |
| Thursday 23 July 2026 | 2026-W30 | Papua New Guinea Remembrance Day | Yes |
| Wednesday 26 August 2026 | 2026-W35 | National Repentance Day | Yes |
| Wednesday 16 September 2026 | 2026-W38 | Independence 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 |
| Friday 26 February 2027 | 2027-W08 | Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare Remembrance Day | Yes |
| Friday 26 March 2027 | 2027-W12 | Good Friday | Yes |
| Sunday 28 March 2027 | 2027-W12 | Easter Sunday | Yes |
| Monday 29 March 2027 | 2027-W13 | Easter Monday | Yes |
| Thursday 17 June 2027 | 2027-W24 | King's Birthday | Yes |
| Friday 23 July 2027 | 2027-W29 | Papua New Guinea Remembrance Day | Yes |
| Thursday 26 August 2027 | 2027-W34 | National Repentance Day | Yes |
| Thursday 16 September 2027 | 2027-W37 | Independence 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April 2026 | Friday 26 March 2027 | −8 days, changes month |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday 5 April 2026 | Sunday 28 March 2027 | −8 days, changes month |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April 2026 | Monday 29 March 2027 | −8 days, changes month |
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 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| June | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| July | 22 | 21 | −1 |
| August | 20 | 21 | +1 |
| September | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| October | 22 | 21 | −1 |
| November | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| December | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| Q1 | 62 | 60 | −2 |
| Q2 | 62 | 64 | +2 |
| Q3 | 63 | 63 | 0 |
| Q4 | 65 | 65 | 0 |
| Year | 252 | 252 | 0 |
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.
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.
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.
The official birthday of the King, a holiday in places where King Charles III is head of state. It is celebrated on a chosen official day, usually around late May or June, not on his actual birthday of 14 November. The Falkland Islands keep 14 November itself. Most such places release a Birthday Honours list at this time.
At work: Fine to mention. A day off, often a Monday, so a long weekend. The date differs by place, so check the calendar.
23 July is National Remembrance Day, a public holiday in Papua New Guinea.
At work: Fine to mention with respect. A day off.
26 August is Repentance Day, a public holiday in Papua New Guinea.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
Marks 16 September 1975, when Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia.
At work: Very welcome to mention. A day off.
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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