Overview of Maldives Holidays 2022
Maldives's main religion is Islam, and the majority of its public holidays are based on Islam and on the lunar calendar. For this reason, the exact dates vary from year to year, based entirely upon the phases of the moon. That said, if a holiday ever falls on a Friday (the weekly holy day in Islam), the next day is always declared a holiday, and so the holiday becomes an extended weekend. Holidays are a lovely time to experience local culture, customs, and cuisine for those who wish to explore. Otherwise, visitors to the Maldives tend to find themselves staying put in their breathtaking resorts and are able to sample Maldivian food and meet some locals among the staff.
Maldives Holidays 2022 | Observed Date | Remark |
New Year's Day | January 1, 2022 | Saturday |
First day of Ramadan | April 3, 2022* | *starts/ends in the evening |
Labor Day | May 1, 2022 | Sunday |
Eid al-Fitr | likely May 3, 2022* | *starts/ends in the evening |
Eid al-Adha | likely July 9-12, 2022* | *starts/ends in the evening |
Hajj Day | likely July 8-9, 2022* | *starts/ends in the evening |
Independence Day | July 26, 2022 | Tuesday |
Islamic New Year | likely July 29-30, 2022* | *starts/ends in the evening |
Qaumee Dhuvas | likely Sep 26-27, 2022* | *starts/ends in the evening |
Mawlid | likely Oct 7-8, 2022* | *starts/ends in the evening |
Victory Day | November 3, 2022 | Thursday |
Republic Day | November 11, 2022 | Friday |
Maldives Holidays 2022- New Year's Day
January 1, 2022
Though Maldives holidays 2022 are focused primarily on Muslim or political celebrations, thanks to a significant and mostly non-Muslim tourist presence in the country, certain more typically Western celebrations like Christmas and New Year's Day may be held. This includes New Year's Eve, and although fireworks are not organized officially on the capital island of Male', some resorts usually promise a spectacular evening of fireworks and merrymaking.
Maldives Holidays 2022- First day of Ramadan
April 3, 2022
Ramadan, also called Ramazan or Roarda mas in the Maldives, begins with a new moon as first seen in the holy city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia (for this reason the exact date may vary by one or two days). As elsewhere throughout the Islamic world, an approximate month of fasting from sunrise to sundown begins on this day, which can easily make for quieter days and somewhat more lively nights, especially in the capital of Male'. That said, and as with other Maldives holidays 2022, visitors most often staying in resorts will not be affected by this change in schedule.
Maldives Holidays 2022- Labor Day
May 1, 2022
In Maldives holidays 2022, Labor Day is on May 1. As elsewhere across the globe, it is a holiday to champion the workers of the world, giving them thanks (and a day off!) for the invaluable work that they do. As Fridays and Saturdays are the two weekend days in the Maldives, if Labor Day does fall on a Thursday or a Sunday (as it does this year!), then workers will enjoy additional recognition and well-deserved time off in the form of a 3-day weekend.
Maldives Holidays 2022- Eid al-Fitr
likely May 3, 2022
Eid al-Fitr is likely to fall this year between May 2 and 3. Given that a 3-day Labor Day weekend will have just happened, this first week of May is shaping up to be a wonderful extended holiday period for Maldives holidays 2022. The end of the month-long fast of Ramadan is known as Eid al-Fitr or locally as Kuda Eid. The new moon is sighted, and large feasts are prepared, such as the Maldivian banana flower salad or Garudhiya, a fragrant fish soup.
Maldives Holidays 2022- Eid al-Adha
likely July 9-12, 2022
In Maldives Holidays 2022, Eid al-Adha, or Eid al-Haa or Bodu Eid ('Big Eid' in the Maldivian language, Dhivehi), as it is known locally, will likely be on a Friday or Saturday, meaning that celebrations will take place likely through Tuesday, July 12. Eid al-Adha means "Feast of the Sacrifice”, and this is an important holiday to all Muslims, as they celebrate the great sacrifice that Ibrahim (Abraham) was prepared to make.
Maldives Holidays 2022- Hajj Day
likely July 8-9, 2022
Hajj day will likely begin on Friday, July 8 - meaning double the July festivities for Maldives holidays 2022. Dovetailing with Eid al-Adha, Hajj Day celebrates the beginning of Hajj, which, as one of the five pillars of Islam, is a pilgrimage that every adult Muslim male is intended to take to Mecca (Saudi Arabia) at least once in his life. Given that much of the population, women and children, likely do not travel to Mecca en masse, extra time at the mosque may be spent, as well as focusing on the other pillars of Islam -including giving alms to the poor.
Maldives Holidays 2022- Independence Day
July 26, 2022
In Maldives holidays 2022, Independence Day celebrates the end of British occupation in 1965. As this is historically relatively recent, the day is full of new events and activities. Parades are held by the National Security Services as well as by school children dressed in bright colors and big smiles. Flat bread called roshi or chapatis will be found on every atoll, topped with delicious fish and vegetable pickles.
Maldives Holidays 2022- Islamic New Year
likely July 29-30, 2022
Among Maldives holidays 2022, the Islamic New Year begins with the month of Muharram, which is considered the second holiest month after Ramadan. Also called Hijiri New Year, special prayers and sermons are held in mosques and Quaranic verses are recited throughout the month, starting with this public holiday.
Maldives Holidays 2022- Qaumee Dhuvas
likely Sep 26-27, 2022
It could be argued that Maldives Holidays 2022 will celebrate two days of independence, in July (from the British in 1965) and toward the end of September again to commemorate a much older break from a European power. In 1573, the Maldivian king Muhammed Thakurufaanu Al Auzam drove out the Portuguese, becoming the first Maldivian to form a unified national military ('Lashkaru). Today, for 'National Day' or Qaumee Dhuvas, as it is known in Dhivehi, the Maldivian government organizes military parades and pageantry, and Maldivian citizens make extra portions of their delicious samosas, bis keemiya.
Maldives Holidays 2022- Mawlid
likely Oct 7-8, 2022
Among Maldives holidays 2022, Mawlid or Mawlid An-Nabi is known globally in the Islamic world as the celebration of the Prophet Mohammed's birthday. Processions usually take place in the capital of Male', and throughout the country's nearly thirty atolls, poems and songs about Mohammed are read aloud and sung in praise. Once again, fantastic food is to be had, including Saagu bondibai or sago (palm) pudding, stretching typically over 3 days of merriment.
Maldives Holidays 2022 - Victory Day
November 3, 2022
A relatively recent holiday, Victory Day sees military pageantry and schoolchildren perform delightful parades and traditional dances. Citizens of the Maldives celebrate their culture, cooking infinite variations of their national fish, yellowfin tuna (dhivehi mas) and performing bodu beru, or the traditional 'big drums' that resonate from atoll to atoll ('atoll' being the English word borrowed from Dhivehi 'atolu').
Maldives Holidays 2022 - Republic Day
November 11, 2022
For a country already rich with cultural, religious, and political celebrations, Republic Day seems to bring them all together with this one day (and sometimes two!) that celebrate the formation of the Maldivian republic in 1968. Every five years on November 11, a new president is appointed, and every year brings speeches, processions, and delicious mas roshi, or crêpes filled with fish.
FAQ about Maldives Holidays 2022
Q: What is the main festival in Maldives?
A: Eid and Ramadan, although several Maldivian-specific festivals like Republic Day and Victory Day are quite popular!
Q: How many days is Eid al-Fitr in Maldives?
A: The festival lasts 2-3 days, following Ramadan.
Q: In what year did Maldives gain independence from the British?
A: Maldives gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965.