Turkey Public Holidays 2026
Turkey observes 15.5 statutory holiday days in 2026. The calendar is highlighted by two prominent religious holiday periods: Ramazan Bayramı takes place from 20 to 22 March (with half-day Arefe on Thursday 19 March), and Kurban Bayramı runs from 27 to 30 May (with Arefe on Tuesday 26 May). Additionally, Labour and Solidarity Day falls on Friday 1 May, providing a natural 3-day spring weekend. Republic Day on 29 October anchors the national secular calendar, preceded by the 13:00 half-day on 28 October.
At a glance
Turkey has 17 official public holidays (17 days off) in 2026 and 3 long weekends; the longest break is Kurban Bayram Holiday Block (May 27 – 30, 4 days).
| Public holidays | 17 |
|---|---|
| Total days off | 17 |
| Longest break | Kurban Bayram Holiday Block · 4 days (May 27 – 30) |
| Long weekends | 3 |
Official public holidays
New Year's Day (Yılbaşı) (January 1, 2026), Eid al-Fitr Eve (Ramazan Bayramı Arefesi) (March 19, 2026), Eid al-Fitr Day 1 (Ramazan Bayramı 1. Gün) (March 20, 2026), Eid al-Fitr Day 2 (Ramazan Bayramı 2. Gün) (March 21, 2026), Eid al-Fitr Day 3 (Ramazan Bayramı 3. Gün) (March 22, 2026), National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) (April 23, 2026), Labour and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü) (May 1, 2026), Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Atatürk’ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı) (May 19, 2026), Eid al-Adha Eve (Kurban Bayramı Arefesi) (May 26, 2026), Eid al-Adha Day 1 (Kurban Bayramı 1. Gün) (May 27, 2026), Eid al-Adha Day 2 (Kurban Bayramı 2. Gün) (May 28, 2026), Eid al-Adha Day 3 (Kurban Bayramı 3. Gün) (May 29, 2026), Eid al-Adha Day 4 (Kurban Bayramı 4. Gün) (May 30, 2026), Democracy and National Unity Day (Demokrasi ve Millî Birlik Günü) (July 15, 2026), Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı) (August 30, 2026), Republic Day Eve (Cumhuriyet Bayramı Arefesi) (October 28, 2026), Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) (October 29, 2026)
Statutory holiday units
15.5 days (Law 2429)
Religious festival days (Bayram)
8 days (Ramazan + Kurban)
Holidays on weekdays (Mon–Fri)
10 full days + 3 half-days
Lost to weekend (Saturday/Sunday)
4 days (Mar 21–22, May 30, Aug 30)
Turkey public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day (Yılbaşı)Thursday. Statutory general holiday under Law 2429 Art. 2(C).Public holiday | Public holiday |
| March 19, 2026 | Thursday | Eid al-Fitr Eve (Ramazan Bayramı Arefesi)Thursday. Half-day statutory holiday starting at 13:00 Europe/Istanbul time.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| March 20, 2026 | Friday | Eid al-Fitr Day 1 (Ramazan Bayramı 1. Gün)Friday. First day of Ramadan Feast celebrating the completion of fasting.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| March 21, 2026 | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr Day 2 (Ramazan Bayramı 2. Gün)Saturday. Second full day of religious holiday.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| March 22, 2026 | Sunday | Eid al-Fitr Day 3 (Ramazan Bayramı 3. Gün)Sunday. Final day of Ramazan holiday; no Monday substitute applies.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| April 23, 2026 | Thursday | National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı)Thursday. Commemorates the 1920 inaugural session of the Turkish Parliament.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü)Friday. Statutory holiday delivering a natural 3-day spring weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 19, 2026 | Tuesday | Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Atatürk’ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı)Tuesday. National holiday marking the start of the Turkish War of Independence.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 26, 2026 | Tuesday | Eid al-Adha Eve (Kurban Bayramı Arefesi)Tuesday. Statutory half-day public holiday starting at 13:00.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 27, 2026 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha Day 1 (Kurban Bayramı 1. Gün)Wednesday. Feast of Sacrifice begins, officially determined by Diyanet calendar.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 28, 2026 | Thursday | Eid al-Adha Day 2 (Kurban Bayramı 2. Gün)Thursday. Second day of Kurban Bayramı statutory closures.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 29, 2026 | Friday | Eid al-Adha Day 3 (Kurban Bayramı 3. Gün)Friday. Third day of Kurban Bayramı.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | Eid al-Adha Day 4 (Kurban Bayramı 4. Gün)Saturday. Concluding day of the 4-day religious holiday; no Monday extension.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| July 15, 2026 | Wednesday | Democracy and National Unity Day (Demokrasi ve Millî Birlik Günü)Wednesday. Enacted by Law No. 6752.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| August 30, 2026 | Sunday | Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı)Sunday. Commemorates the 1922 Battle of Dumlupınar; no substitute day under Law 2429.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| October 28, 2026 | Wednesday | Republic Day Eve (Cumhuriyet Bayramı Arefesi)Wednesday. Statutory half-day public holiday from 13:00 under Law 2429 Art. 1.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| October 29, 2026 | Thursday | Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı)Thursday. Turkey’s paramount National Holiday (Ulusal Bayram).Public holiday | Public holiday |
2026 Turkey calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
Turkey long weekends in 2026
Ramazan Bayram Weekend
3 daysMar 20 – 22
Eid al-Fitr runs Friday through Sunday, preceded by a half-day Thursday afternoon.
Labour Day Weekend
3 daysMay 1 – 3
Labour and Solidarity Day on Friday 1 May forms a natural 3-day holiday.
Kurban Bayram Holiday Block
4 daysMay 27 – 30
Four statutory days of Feast of Sacrifice run Wednesday 27 May through Saturday 30 May.
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Official sources & data
- Ulusal Bayram ve Genel Tatiller Hakkında Kanun (Kanun No. 2429)Visit sourceT.C. Cumhurbaşkanlığı Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi
- Dini Günler ve Geceler Listesi 2026Visit sourceDiyanet İşleri Başkanlığı
Frequently asked questions
What is the longest holiday break in Turkey in 2026?
The longest break in Turkey is Kurban Bayram Holiday Block (May 27 – 30, 4 days).
What are the official public holidays in Turkey in 2026?
Turkey has 17 official public holidays in 2026: New Year's Day (Yılbaşı) (January 1, 2026), Eid al-Fitr Eve (Ramazan Bayramı Arefesi) (March 19, 2026), Eid al-Fitr Day 1 (Ramazan Bayramı 1. Gün) (March 20, 2026), Eid al-Fitr Day 2 (Ramazan Bayramı 2. Gün) (March 21, 2026), Eid al-Fitr Day 3 (Ramazan Bayramı 3. Gün) (March 22, 2026), National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) (April 23, 2026), Labour and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü) (May 1, 2026), Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Atatürk’ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı) (May 19, 2026), Eid al-Adha Eve (Kurban Bayramı Arefesi) (May 26, 2026), Eid al-Adha Day 1 (Kurban Bayramı 1. Gün) (May 27, 2026), Eid al-Adha Day 2 (Kurban Bayramı 2. Gün) (May 28, 2026), Eid al-Adha Day 3 (Kurban Bayramı 3. Gün) (May 29, 2026), Eid al-Adha Day 4 (Kurban Bayramı 4. Gün) (May 30, 2026), Democracy and National Unity Day (Demokrasi ve Millî Birlik Günü) (July 15, 2026), Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı) (August 30, 2026), Republic Day Eve (Cumhuriyet Bayramı Arefesi) (October 28, 2026), Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) (October 29, 2026).
When are the Bayram holidays in Turkey in 2026?
In 2026, Ramazan Bayramı takes place from Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March (with half-day Arefe on Thursday 19 March). Kurban Bayramı takes place from Wednesday 27 May to Saturday 30 May (with half-day Arefe on Tuesday 26 May).
How are public sector bridge days (idari izin) declared in Turkey?
When a major Bayram falls midweek, the Presidential Cabinet may declare adjacent working days as "idari izin" (administrative leave) for civil servants and public sector workers, often creating a 9-day break. However, this is discretionary executive leave for public employees and not a statutory entitlement for private sector payroll under Law No. 2429.
Is public transit free during official holidays in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir?
Yes. By presidential decree and municipal decisions, public transportation networks (buses, metro, Marmaray, tramways, ferries) across major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir are typically completely free of charge on statutory public holidays and throughout Bayram.
Can private sector employees be required to work on public holidays?
Under Article 47 of Turkish Labour Law No. 4857, employees can work on national and public holidays only if provided in their employment contract or with their explicit consent. Any employee working on a statutory holiday must receive an additional full day’s regular wage for that day (effectively double pay).
How are half-day eves (Arefe) compensated for hourly and salaried employees?
Work on Arefe days after 13:00 is considered public holiday work under Turkish labour law. Employees who work past 13:00 are entitled to half a day of extra holiday premium pay, while those who do not work after 13:00 receive their full monthly salary without deduction.
