Guyana is a vibrant country with a diverse cultural heritage. Also, its public holidays reflect this rich diversity. People will observe 15 public holidays in Guyana in 2025. Each has its own unique significance and traditions.
From the joyous festivities of Phagwah and Deepavali to the solemn remembrance of Good Friday and Emancipation Day, these holidays offer a glimpse into the country’s multi-ethnic fabric.
Whether honoring workers’ rights on Labour Day or marking independence on Republic Day, Guyanese embrace their shared identity. Join us as we explore the customs and rituals that make these public holidays unique.
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Public Holidays In Guyana In 2025
In Guyana, there are 15 public holidays in 2025. Two of them will fall on weekends. Below is the list of the public holidays in Guyana for 2025.
These are the public holidays in Guyana. Below are the customs, significance, and traditions of the public holidays in Guyana in 2025.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day celebrates the beginning of a new year on the Gregorian calendar. In Guyana, it is a time for celebrations, parties, and making resolutions for the coming year. Families and friends gather for feasts and festivities.
Many Guyanese decorate their homes and prepare memorable meals. Fireworks light up the night sky at midnight to welcome the new year. It is a time of hope and new beginnings.
Republic Day
Republic Day was celebrated when Guyana became a cooperative republic on February 23, 1970, after being a British colony. It is Guyana’s public holiday on February 23, 2025. It marks Guyana’s transition to an independent, sovereign state with an elected president as head of state.
Republic Day celebrations include a parade, cultural performances, and the President’s national address. It is a patriotic occasion for Guyanese to honor their country’s republican status.
Phagwah/Holi
Phagwah, also called Holi, is a Hindu spring festival celebrated with vibrant colors. It celebrates the coming of spring and the end of winter. This festival falls on March 13, 2025. On this day, people of all backgrounds in Guyana throw colored powder and water at each other.
It signifies spring’s arrival, relationship renewal, and the victory of good over evil. Phagwah festivities include singing, dancing, bonfires, and exchanging sweets and delicacies.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian holiday celebrating Jesus’ crucifixion and death at Calvary. It falls on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, April 18, 2025. Many attend church services and prayer meetings on this solemn day.
Some take part in re-enactments of the crucifixion. Families may prepare special meals like hot cross buns. For Christian Guyanese, it is a day of reflection and mourning Jesus’s death.
Easter Monday
It is the day after Easter Sunday, celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection. It falls on April 21, 2025. For Guyanese Christians, it is a joyous family occasion with Easter egg hunts, feasting, and fellowship.
Many attend church services and spend quality time with loved ones. Some communities organize fairs, concerts, or sporting events to mark the Easter holiday.
Labour Day
Labour Day honors the historic struggles and achievements of workers in Guyana. Labor leaders’ rallies, marches, and speeches highlight workers’ rights issues. The holiday comes from the eight-hour day movement, which promotes a balance of work, recreation, and rest. Many use this holiday for picnics, outdoor activities, and quality time with family. It is a day to appreciate the labor movement’s contributions.
Arrival Day
Arrival Day is a public holiday in Guyana on May 5 each year. It marks the arrival of the Indian indentured laborers who came to work in Guyana in sugar plantations on May 5, 1838.
It celebrates the Indian diaspora’s profound influence on Guyana’s multiethnic society and rich cultural heritage. Vibrant cultural programs feature music, dance, literature, and cuisine from the Indian subcontinent.
Independence Day
Independence Day is another public holiday in Guyana on May 26. It marks Guyana’s independence from the United Kingdom on May 26, 1966. Celebrations include parades, flag raisings, cultural programs, and the President’s address.
It is an occasion for patriotism and national pride as Guyanese honor the struggle for self-governance. Many spend the holiday celebrating their cultural traditions.
Eid-ul-Adha
Eid-ul-Adha is an important Muslim festival, also known as the festival of sacrifice. This holiday occurs on June 7, 2025. It marks the day Prophet Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his son to follow God’s command.
Guyanese Muslims start the day with prayers, sacrifice livestock, and distribute meat to the needy. Families gather for celebratory meals and visits. The day promotes values like obedience, sacrifice, and charity within Guyana’s Muslim community.
CARICOM Day
CARICOM Day is an essential public holiday in Guyana, celebrated on July 7th. It marks the anniversary of signing the Treaty of Chaguaramas in 1973, establishing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
This treaty promotes economic integration, cooperation, and unity among Caribbean nations. On this day, Guyana honors its membership in CARICOM. It celebrates the shared cultural heritage and regional cooperation with other Caribbean countries.
Emancipation Day
Emancipation Day celebrated on August 1st, is a significant public holiday in Guyana. It marks the abolition of slavery in Guyana in August 1834, following the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833.
On this day, Guyanese people honor their ancestors’ struggles and sacrifices for freedom from slavery. It is a time to celebrate their hard-won liberty, acknowledge their rich cultural heritage, and promote values of equality and human rights.
Youman Nabi
Youman Nabi is the observance of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad for Guyanese Muslims. Muhammad was a political leader, an Arab religious leader, and the founder of Islam. He was born in Mecca in approximately 570 AD.
Homes and mosques are decorated, and there are religious gatherings. Muslims exchange greetings, pray for spiritual upliftment, and discuss Prophet Muhammad’s teachings of peace, charity, and service to humanity.
Deepavali/Diwali
Deepavali, or Diwali, is the major annual Hindu festival of lights. It is celebrated with oil lamps, fireworks, gatherings, and the exchange of sweets.
For Hindus, it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Guyanese of all backgrounds join the lively festivities, showcasing Indian culture and traditions. The holiday lasts five days and falls on October 20, 2025.
Christmas Day
For Guyanese Christians, the day marks the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday falls on December 25, 2025. Families decorate homes, attend church services, exchange gifts, and enjoy feasting together.
Popular Christmas traditions include singing carols, staging plays about the Nativity, and Santa Claus visits. It promotes values like peace, joy, and goodwill.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is December 26, 2025. In some countries, it is known as a shopping holiday. The day is also called St. Stephen’s Day. It is a relaxing holiday centered on family gatherings, sporting events like horse racing, and shopping.
Its origins are unclear, but some say it allowed servants to take a day off after Christmas. For many in Guyana, it is a day to recover from Christmas festivities and visit with relatives.
This blog post is all about the customs, significance, and traditions of the public holidays in Guyana in 2025. I hope you liked this post. For the latest information, visit the worldholidaylist.com website.