Upcoming Holidays and Celebrations in Haiti

Haiti

Day Date Holiday Type
Sunday Jan 01,2023 New Year's Day/Independence Day National/Legal Holiday
Monday Jan 02,2023 Heroes’ Day/Ancestors’ Day National/Legal Holiday
Tuesday Feb 14,2023 Valentine's Day Observance
Tuesday Feb 21,2023 Carnival/Shrove Tuesday National/Legal Holiday
Wednesday Feb 22,2023 Carnival / Ash Wednesday National/Legal Holiday
Friday Apr 07,2023 Good Friday National/Legal Holiday
Sunday Apr 09,2023 Easter Sunday Observance
Monday May 01,2023 Agriculture and Labor Day National/Legal Holiday
Thursday May 18,2023 Flag Day/University Day National/Legal Holiday
Sunday May 28,2023 Mother's Day National/Legal Holiday
Thursday Jun 08,2023 Corpus Christi Local holiday
Sunday Jun 25,2023 Father's Day Observance
Tuesday Aug 15,2023 Assumption of Mary Local holiday
Tuesday Oct 17,2023 Dessalines Day National/Legal Holiday
Wednesday Nov 01,2023 All Saints' Day Local holiday
Thursday Nov 02,2023 All Souls' Day Local holiday
Saturday Nov 18,2023 Vertières Day National/Legal Holiday
Sunday Dec 24,2023 Christmas Eve Observance
Monday Dec 25,2023 Christmas Day National/Legal Holiday
Sunday Dec 31,2023 New Year's Eve Observance
**Note: While we strive for accuracy in researching and updating holiday dates, some information in the table above might be preliminary. Should you come across any discrepancies, kindly inform us so we can ensure precise information. Thank you for your understanding!

New Year's Day/Independence Day

On January 1st, Haiti celebrates both New Year's Day and its Independence Day. It marks the day in 1804 when Haiti declared independence from France, becoming the world's first black republic. This dual celebration is a symbol of freedom and resilience for the Haitian people, and it's observed with grand parades, cultural performances, and fireworks. It's a time to reflect on the nation's history and the enduring spirit of its people.

Heroes’ Day/Ancestors’ Day

Heroes’ Day, also known as Ancestors’ Day, is a day to honor Haiti's national heroes, especially Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Toussaint Louverture, who played pivotal roles in the fight for independence. This day is celebrated with ceremonies, wreath-laying, and discussions about Haiti's revolutionary history. It fosters a sense of pride and unity among Haitians, emphasizing the importance of honoring those who paved the way for freedom.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day in Haiti, like in many other countries, is a day to celebrate love and affection between couples. It's observed with the exchange of romantic gifts, flowers, and heartfelt messages. Haitians embrace this day as an opportunity to express their love for one another, strengthening the bonds of relationships and promoting love and kindness in their culture.

Carnival/Shrove Tuesday

Carnival, known as "Kanaval" in Haitian Creole, is a vibrant and lively celebration leading up to Lent. It features colorful parades, music, dance, and intricate costumes. Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins, is marked by indulgence in rich foods before the period of fasting. Carnival is a cultural spectacle that showcases Haiti's artistic and creative spirit, bringing communities together in joyful revelry.

Carnival / Ash Wednesday

Carnival in Haiti continues with Ash Wednesday, a day when the faithful receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of repentance and humility. It marks the beginning of Lent, a period of reflection and fasting. Carnival's transition to Ash Wednesday reflects the fusion of Catholic traditions with Haitian culture, highlighting the country's unique religious heritage.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a solemn Christian holiday observed in Haiti to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Haitians participate in religious processions, attend church services, and reflect on the sacrifice of Christ. It's a day of spiritual significance, promoting faith and devotion among the people and underscoring the role of Christianity in Haitian society.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday in Haiti is a joyful celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Families attend church services, share festive meals, and exchange Easter eggs. It's a day of hope and renewal, emphasizing the central role of Christianity in Haitian culture and fostering a sense of community and faith.

Agriculture and Labor Day

Agriculture and Labor Day, celebrated on May 1st, is a tribute to Haiti's agricultural and labor sectors. The holiday recognizes the hard work of farmers and laborers who contribute to the nation's economy. It's marked by parades, speeches, and cultural displays that showcase the importance of agriculture and labor in Haiti's heritage and development.

Flag Day/University Day

Flag Day in Haiti, celebrated on May 18th, commemorates the creation of the Haitian flag. It's a day of national pride, with flag-raising ceremonies and patriotic displays. Additionally, it's University Day, honoring the role of education in Haiti's progress. This dual celebration highlights the nation's commitment to knowledge and unity through its flag and educational institutions.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day in Haiti is a heartfelt celebration of maternal love and sacrifice. Families express their gratitude and affection for mothers with flowers, gifts, and special gestures. It's a day to honor the vital role of mothers in Haitian families and society, reinforcing the values of love and family bonds.

Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is a Christian holiday in Haiti that celebrates the Eucharist and the presence of Jesus Christ in the sacrament. It's marked by church processions, where the Blessed Sacrament is displayed for adoration. Corpus Christi underscores the significance of the Catholic faith in Haiti and deepens the spiritual connection among the faithful.

Father's Day

Father's Day in Haiti is a time to appreciate and celebrate fathers for their love and guidance. Families express their gratitude through gifts and gestures of affection. It's an occasion to honor the important role of fathers in Haitian households and society, emphasizing the values of responsibility and family bonds.

Assumption of Mary

The Assumption of Mary is a Christian feast in Haiti that commemorates the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken into heaven. It's marked by religious processions and church services. This holiday underscores the significance of the Catholic faith in Haiti and the reverence for the Virgin Mary in Haitian culture.

Dessalines Day

Dessalines Day, celebrated on October 17th, honors Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a key figure in Haiti's struggle for independence. The day is marked by ceremonies, wreath-laying, and discussions about Dessalines' contributions. It reinforces the importance of remembering Haiti's heroes and their role in shaping the nation's destiny.

All Saints' Day

All Saints' Day is a Christian holiday in Haiti that honors all saints and martyrs. Haitians attend church services and visit cemeteries to pay respects to deceased loved ones. It's a day of remembrance and reflection, strengthening the connection between the living and the departed and highlighting the importance of faith and spirituality.

All Souls' Day

All Souls' Day, observed on November 2nd, is a day to pray for the souls of the departed and remember loved ones who have passed away. Families visit cemeteries, light candles, and offer prayers. It's a day that fosters a sense of unity and continuity between the living and the deceased in Haitian culture, emphasizing the importance of family bonds and remembrance.

Vertières Day

Vertières Day, celebrated on November 18th, commemorates the Battle of Vertières in 1803, which marked a significant victory in Haiti's fight for independence. The day is observed with patriotic ceremonies, parades, and cultural displays. It reinforces the pride and determination of the Haitian people in their quest for freedom.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a joyful and festive occasion in Haiti, marked by church services, carol singing, and family gatherings. Haitians exchange gifts and share traditional meals. It's a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and strengthen family bonds, emphasizing the cultural significance of Christianity in Haiti.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day in Haiti is a day of great significance, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Families attend church services, share special meals, and exchange gifts. It's a time of joy, love, and togetherness, highlighting the central role of Christianity in Haitian culture and fostering a sense of community and faith.

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve in Haiti is a lively celebration that welcomes the coming year with music, dancing, fireworks, and festive gatherings. It's a time for reflection and anticipation, as Haitians bid farewell to the old year and embrace the new one with hope and enthusiasm. New Year's Eve showcases the vibrant spirit of Haiti's culture and its eagerness for a brighter future.