What are Public Holidays in Bahrain (2024) ?
The vibrant Kingdom of Bahrain has a rich diversity of occasions and festivals that show its vibrant culture. Celebration of a number of festivals in Bahrain makes it important to understand their importance in the history of Bahrain.
These festivals provide an opportunity for residents of Bahrain and foreigners traveling there to understand its culture and history. In this blog, we will dwell on the diverse tapestry of public holidays in Bahrain. Read the full blog to deep dive into your understanding of Bahrain festivals.
Here is the list of public holidays in Bahrain in 2024:
| Date | Weekday | Holiday |
| 1 January, 24′ | Monday | New Year |
| 8-10 April, 24′ | Monday-Wednesday | Eid-al-Fitr |
| 15-16 June, 24′ | Saturday-Sunday | Arafat Day |
| 16-19 June, 24′ | Sunday-Wednesday | Eid-al-Adha |
| 7 July, 24′ | Sunday | Islamic New Year |
| 15-16 July, 24′ | Monday-Tuesday | Ashoora |
| 15 September, 24′ | Sunday | Prophet’s Birthday |
| 16-17 December, 24′ | Monday-Tuesday | National Day |
Here are the details of Bahrain Public Holiday 2024:
New Year (January 1, 2024)
The New Year falls on January 1, which is the first day of the year. It falls exactly after Christmas and brings extreme joy, and new resolutions and is considered as a fresh start. It is considered a public holiday in most countries around the world. Most of the businesses and corporations are closed on this day. It starts with fireworks at exactly 00:00 in local time zones. People make several resolutions as per their goals to achieve such as weight loss, exercising more, giving up bad habits etc. The tradition of setting New Year resolutions started nearly 4000 years ago.
Eid-al-Fitr (April 8-10, 2024)
Al Israa Wal Miraj, also known as Israa and Miraj, is celebrated on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab. This significant event in the Islamic calendar commemorates the night when Allah (God) took Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem and then ascended him to the heavens. The details of this miraculous journey are derived from the Quran and other teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
On this day, many businesses and corporations observe a day off in recognition of the religious significance of Al Israa Wal Miraj. The festival is often marked by illuminating homes with colorful and bright lights that are kept on throughout the night, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
Arafat Day (June 16, 2024)
Arafat Day is observed on June 16, 2024. It is celebrated by Muslims all over the world and is considered one of the most important festivals from 1300 years ago. This day marks the farewell of Prophet Muhammed after conquering the city of Makkah. Arafat Day is observed on the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage. The day of Arafat can vary in different countries as it is based on the slighting of the moon. People ask for mercy from the Almighty for their sins. This day holds utmost importance in the history of the Islamic calendar to seek blessings and gratitude.
Eid-al-Adah (June 16-19, 2024)
Eid-al-Adah also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice” is one of the most important celebrations for Muslims. The reason for its utmost importance is that it lasts for four days. The reference to “Feast of Sacrifice” derives from the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice everything. During Eid-al-Adah people also make the sacrifice of an animal to make the Almighty happy. They also undertake charity of food and clothes for the needy people.
Islamic New Year (July 7, 2024)
Islamic New Year also known as Hirji New Year is celebrated by Muslims. This day is a public holiday in most of the countries around the world. It also represents the start of the Muslim era as it coincides with the Hijrah, the journey of the Prophet from Mecca to Medina. The new Islamic Year begins with a time of reflection and attention to prayers and avoiding any kind of sinful practices. The customs vary from country to country, generally involving attending rituals, prayers and parades.
Ashoora (July 15-16, 2024)
Only Bahrain is one of the Gulf countries that marks Ashoora as a public holiday. The 10th day of Muharram is observed as Ashoora in Bahrain. A feast is observed on the day of Ashoora in Bahrain. On this day Prophet Musa freed the Israelites from Egyptians. The word Ashura means “tenth” in Arabic but Islamic scholars differ on the reason for the naming. A dish is served on this day called Asure composed of cereals and dry fruits.
Prophet’s Birthday (September 15, 2024)
The Prophet’s birthday is also known as “Milad un Nabi”, this day is observed as a public holiday in most countries. It commemorates the birth anniversary of the founder of Islam and proclaimer of the Quran. As the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycles, the date of this festival may vary in different countries. This festival is celebrated with religious lectures and teachings of the Quran. The teachings of the Quran helped to establish one of the most famous religions in the world by the name of Islam.
National Day (December 16-17, 2024)
National Day in Bahrain is celebrated on December 16 and it lasts for two days. This day is celebrated to mark the victory of former ruler Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa. The celebration of National Day includes road shows, cultural events, cultural fests, fireworks, exhibitions etc. It is the time when the government announces their new projects for the upcoming year. Moreover, many streets are brightened with beautiful flowers.
Summing Up
So these are all the public holidays celebrated in Bahrain. Most of the businesses and corporations are closed on these days to celebrate and mark their importance.
All the above-mentioned public holidays are applicable in Bahrain. So if you are looking to plan your holidays and vacations with your near and dear ones you can use this calendar as a reference. Moreover, organizations and HR professionals can use the calendar to plan the holidays for their employees accordingly.
To manage the leaves and attendance of employees in your organization you can make use of the Zimyo leave and attendance management system which simplifies your tasks and provides you extra time to focus on more strategic activities. You can schedule a demo to streamline your HR tasks with Zimyo HRMS.
* The above mentioned dates are preliminary and subject to change. We will modify them upon receiving updates.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The public holidays of Bahrain include New Year, Eid-al-Fitr, Arafat Day, Islamic New Year, Eid-al-Adha, Ashoora, Prophet’s Birthday, National Day.
In Bahrain, Eid Al Adha is observed from June 16 to June 19, 2024.
Yes, Prophet Muhamad’s birthday falls on September 15, 2024.
Public holidays in Bahrain are celebrated with parades, road shows, rituals and prayers offered to the Almighty.
