Whether you are one of those travelers who like to plan their vacations around local holidays or prefer to avoid them altogether, knowing in advance how your country of destination handles festivities comes in very handy.
Kuwait is a Muslim country which means it follows the Islamic calendar. The calendar of the major holidays and festivals in Kuwait changes yearly based on the phases of the moon, so Muslims always wait to know the exact dates when their holiday will be observed. In Kuwait’s case, it is the designated Ministry the one to allocate the national holidays, and when it comes to deciding the number of days observed for those festivities, the expected days off in the private sector serves as the base for the decision.
Unless you are a citizen of a GCC country (Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE), everyone needs a visa to enter Kuwait. However, nationals from many countries can apply for the Kuwait Online Visa turning this requirement into a simple bureaucratic step.
It is also advised that visitors willing to travel to Kuwait do some research about the local traditions during the holidays. That is the best way to guarantee they do not violate any of the customs carried out during the Kuwaiti national holidays.
What Holidays Are Celebrated in Kuwait?
As mentioned above, the dates of Kuwait’s religious holidays change according to the Hijra Calendar. They include:
- The Prophet’s Birthday
- The Ascension the Prophet (PBUH)
- And the Hijra New Year
At the end of the fasting month of Ramadan (Eid Al-Fitr) there is usually a three-day holiday. For Eid Al-Adha the holiday usually lasts four days.
Offical Holidays in Kuwait?
According to the Kuwait holiday calendar, there are 4 official holidays in Kuwait:
- Rass Al-Sana Al-Hijria
- Mawlid Al-Nabi
- Lailat al-Isra` wa al-Mir`aaj
- And the New Year
If any of those fall in the middle of the week, they are moved to the following Saturday unless they fall on a Thursday. When that happens, that Thursday is considered the official holiday and will not be compensated.
Is Friday a Holiday in Kuwait?
In Kuwait, Friday is the official weekly holiday, however the 2 days westerners consider ‘the weekend’ vary in this country.
For Kuwait University, public and private schools, and some major companies, the official weekend is Thursday and Friday. Meanwhile, banks, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, and most of its affiliated companies take Friday and Saturday off.
Kuwait During Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan precedes Eid Al-Fitr and, during this lunar month, there are interruptions in normal business patterns. Muslims are supposed to fast from dawn to sunset and just eat at night, so even though some restaurants like MacDonald’s might be open at daytime, they will not allow food to be eaten on their premises. Depending on the region, this might last from 2 to 10 days.
There are also restrictions on drinking (even water) and smoking in public places.
These prohibitions apply to both Muslims and non-Muslims, and those who violate them can not only be fined but also imprisoned. According to Kuwaiti law, breaking your fast in public is considered a criminal offense and therefore it can get you deported.
How Many Public Holidays Are There in Kuwait?
The dates of public holidays in Kuwait vary depending on the year. As in many Muslim countries, public holidays are being referenced on moon sightings which means dates differ every year.
The calendar with a list of Kuwait national holidays for 2019 is as follows:
| Date | Day | Name |
| Jan 1 | Tuesday | New Year’s Day |
| Feb 24 | Sunday | National and Liberation Day Holiday |
| Feb 25 | Monday | National Day |
| Feb 26 | Tuesday | Liberation Day |
| Apr 3 | Wednesday | Isra and Miraj |
| Jun 4 | Thursday | Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) |
| Jun 5 | Friday | Eid al-Fitr holiday |
| Jun 6 | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr holiday |
| Aug 11 | Sunday | Waqfat Arafat Day |
| Aug 12 | Monday | Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) |
| Aug 13 | Tuesday | Eid al-Adha holiday |
| Aug 14 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha holiday |
| Aug 31 | Saturday | Islamic New Year |
| Nov 10 | Sunday | The Prophet’s Birthday |
How Can I Enter Kuwait to Enjoy the Kuwaiti Holidays?
Everyone needs a visa to enter Kuwait, but citizens of countries such as Canada, the US, all the EU countries, Australia or Japan are eligible to apply for a Kuwait eVisa. The online application is really quick and simple, requiring applicants to answer just a series of very basic questions.
The only nationalities exempt of having to request this travel authorization are citizens of one of the GCC countries (Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE). Nevertheless, if you are a foreign national residing in any of the aforementioned GCC countries, you qualify for Kuwait’s Online Visa regardless of your citizenship.
If none of the above applies to you, other types of Kuwait visas are still available.
