The Cook Islands is a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The people celebrate many public holidays throughout the year. These days off are essential for their culture, religion, and history. They show the rich traditions and values of the Cook Islander people.
From the fun New Year’s Day parties to the respectful memorial of ANZAC Day, each special day allows people to get together, honor their heritage, and enjoy the lively Cook Islands culture. People will have many public holidays in Cook Islands in 2025. These allow people to remember their past while enjoying the present.
Public Holidays In Cook Islands In 2025
In the Cook Islands, there are 11 public holidays 2025 for people to celebrate. One of them will fall on a weekend. Here is the complete list of the public holidays in the Cook Islands for 2025.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
| New Year’s Day | Jan 01, 2025 | Wednesday |
| New Year Holiday | Jan 02, 2025 | Thursday |
| Good Friday | Apr 18, 2025 | Friday |
| Easter Monday | Apr 21, 2025 | Monday |
| ANZAC Day | Apr 25, 2025 | Friday |
| Sovereign’s Birthday | Jun 02, 2025 | Monday |
| Ui Ariki Day | Jul 04, 2025 | Friday |
| Constitution Day | Aug 04, 2025 | Monday |
| Gospel Day | Oct 26, 2025 | Sunday |
| Gospel Day Holiday | Oct 27, 2025 | Monday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2025 | Thursday |
| Boxing Day | Dec 26, 2025 | Friday |
People will celebrate these public holidays in Cook Islands in 2025. Below are the public holidays’ customs, traditions, and significance.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is a special holiday on January 1st that marks the start of a new year on the Gregorian calendar. It is a public holiday with significant cultural and traditional importance. On this day, families gather for food, music, and dancing.
It is a time for people to think about what happened last year and look forward to the new year with expectations. The festivities may also include fireworks displays and other forms of entertainment.
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Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian public holiday commemorating Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. In the Cook Islands, it is a public holiday and an important day for the Christian community, which makes up a significant part of the population.
A large number of individuals attend church on this day. Some may join processions or reenactments of the crucifixion events. It is a solemn occasion marked by reflection, prayer, and contemplation of Jesus’s sacrifices.
Easter Monday
It is the day after Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Cook Islands, it is a public holiday that allows for an extended weekend of festivities and celebrations.
Many families gather for traditional feasts, including roasted pig or fish, taro, and tropical fruits. Easter egg hunts and some other activities for children are also standard. It is a time for Christians to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ resurrection and the hope it represents for eternal life.
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day is a national day of remembrance in the Cook Islands, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. It honors the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and died in all wars and peacekeeping operations.
On April 25th, dawn services and parades are held to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by these soldiers. ANZAC Day has particular significance in the Cook Islands as many Cook Islanders served in the armed forces during various wars.
Sovereign’s Birthday
The Sovereign’s Birthday is a public holiday in the Cook Islands that celebrates the birthday of the reigning British monarch. But before 2023, this day marks Queen’s Birthday. Cook Islanders observe this holiday on the first Monday of June to honor their historical ties with the United Kingdom.
Celebrations may include parades, traditional dances, and other cultural performances. Families also gather for feasts and festive activities on this day. The holiday reminds everyone that the Cook Islands is self-governing and associated with New Zealand. It is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Ui Ariki Day
Ra o te Ui Ariki is a special day in the Cook Islands, celebrated on July 4, 2025. In 1965, the islands became a self-governing region with a special relationship with New Zealand. In 1967, someone suggested and built the House of Ariki, a group of leaders, in the same year.
The House of Ariki has 24 important chiefs (Ariki) from the Cook Islands. The translation of So Ra o te Ui Ariki is “Day of the Chief Council. During celebrations, people do traditional dances and music. They also have big feasts to honor the Ariki. The Ariki preserve the Cook Islands’ culture and traditions.
Constitution Day
It is a public holiday in the Cook Islands. It marks the adoption of the nation’s constitution in 1965. The celebration takes place on August 4th. It is an important day for Cook Islanders, who use it to reflect on their path to self-governance and independence. Celebrations often include parades, dances, and cultural shows.
These events showcase a community’s traditions and customs. Many families also gather for feasts and festive activities on this day. Constitution Day reminds us that the Cook Islands is self-governing with New Zealand. The constitution is important for establishing democratic principles and values in the country.
Gospel Day
Gospel Day is a special day off in the Cook Islands. It celebrates when Christianity and the Bible first came to the islands. It is on October 26th and is very important for the Christian community, which includes many people in the Cook Islands.
On this day, people attend church services, sing, and take part in other religious activities. Many families also get together for big feasts and fun celebrations. Gospel Day reminds people of how Christianity influenced the Cook Islands’ culture and helped shape the island’s values and traditions.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is a public holiday in the Cook Islands, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a day filled with family gatherings, feasting, and festive activities. Preparations for the celebration start weeks before. Families decorate their homes and cook traditional foods like roasted pig or fish, taro, and tropical fruits.
Children await the arrival of Santa Claus, who is known as “Tama Ariki” in the Cook Islands language. Christmas carols and church services are important for the celebrations. They show the strong Christian influence in the islands.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a public holiday in the Cook Islands on December 26th, also known as St. Stephen’s Day. In some countries, it is known as a shopping holiday. After the festivities of Christmas Day, it is a time for continued celebrations and relaxation.
Many families come together for extra meals and fun things like picnics, beach trips, or sports. Boxing Day used to be when bosses or rich people would give presents or boxes to their workers or people in need.
It is a day for exchanging gifts with loved ones or donating to charitable organizations. During the holiday, Cook Islanders can spend time with loved ones. They can think about generosity and compassion. Also, they can reflect and connect with others.
This blog is all about the public holidays in Cook Islands in 2025. I hope you enjoyed it.