Upcoming Holidays and Celebrations in Yemen

Yemen

Day Date Holiday Type
Saturday Feb 18,2023 Isra and Mi'raj Observance
Thursday Mar 23,2023 Ramadan Start Observance
Thursday Apr 20,2023 Eid al-Fitr Eve Public Holiday
Friday Apr 21,2023 Eid al-Fitr Public Holiday
Saturday Apr 22,2023 Eid al-Fitr holiday Public Holiday
Sunday Apr 23,2023 Eid al-Fitr holiday Public Holiday
Monday May 01,2023 May Day Public Holiday
Monday May 22,2023 Unity Day Public Holiday
Tuesday Jun 27,2023 Eid al-Adha Eve Public Holiday
Wednesday Jun 28,2023 Eid al-Adha Public Holiday
Thursday Jun 29,2023 Eid al-Adha holiday Public Holiday
Friday Jun 30,2023 Eid al-Adha holiday Public Holiday
Saturday Jul 01,2023 Eid al-Adha holiday Public Holiday
Friday Jul 07,2023 July 7th Anniversary Observance
Wednesday Jul 19,2023 Muharram Public Holiday
Tuesday Sep 26,2023 Revolution Day Public Holiday
Wednesday Sep 27,2023 The Prophet's Birthday (Tentative Date) Observance
Saturday Oct 14,2023 Liberation Day Public Holiday
Thursday Nov 30,2023 Independence Day Public Holiday
**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!

Isra and Mi'raj

Isra and Mi'raj, also known as Al-Isra wal-Mi'raj, is a significant Islamic holiday celebrated in Yemen. It commemorates the miraculous night journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to the heavens. This event is a symbol of spiritual growth and connection with the divine. It holds great cultural importance as it reinforces the faith and spiritual beliefs of Muslims in Yemen. Believers engage in prayers, recitations of the Quran, and gatherings at mosques to mark this holy occasion.

Ramadan Start

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a sacred time for Muslims in Yemen. It is a month of fasting, self-reflection, and increased devotion to Allah. Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new moon and is a time when Muslims abstain from food, drink, and sinful behavior during daylight hours. It is a period of spiritual growth and self-discipline. Ramadan is celebrated for its focus on spiritual purification, charity, and community unity. It's a time when families and friends come together for iftar (the meal to break the fast) and engage in acts of kindness and generosity, strengthening their cultural and religious bonds.

Eid al-Fitr Eve

Eid al-Fitr Eve, known as "Chand Raat" in Yemen, is the festive evening that precedes the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. It is a time of anticipation and preparation, where families decorate their homes and gather to offer special prayers. This occasion holds cultural significance as it marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and spiritual reflection. It is a time for joy, feasting, and giving thanks to Allah for his blessings. Yemeni people exchange gifts, wear new clothes, and share delicious traditional dishes with friends and family, enhancing their cultural ties and creating a sense of unity.

Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr, also known as "Festival of Breaking the Fast," is one of the most important Islamic holidays celebrated in Yemen. It follows the fasting month of Ramadan and is a time for Muslims to come together in joyous celebration. This holiday holds immense cultural significance as it emphasizes the values of compassion, unity, and generosity. On Eid al-Fitr, Yemeni families attend special prayers at the mosque, give to charity, visit friends and family, and enjoy festive meals. Traditional sweets and desserts are shared, symbolizing the sweetness of life and the importance of community bonds. It is a time of cultural exchange and strengthening of social ties.

May Day

May Day, celebrated on the 1st of May, is a global holiday that commemorates the labor movement and workers' rights. In Yemen, it holds cultural importance as it acknowledges the contributions of the labor force to the nation's development. May Day is a day of workers' solidarity, protests, and social awareness. It highlights the rights and working conditions of laborers, fostering a sense of unity among workers in Yemen and worldwide. Many cultural events, parades, and demonstrations take place on this day to advocate for workers' rights and social justice.

Unity Day

Unity Day, celebrated on the 22nd of May, is a significant national holiday in Yemen. It marks the anniversary of the unification of North Yemen and South Yemen into a single nation in 1990. This day holds immense cultural and historical importance as it symbolizes the unity and solidarity of Yemeni people. Celebrations include parades, cultural events, and patriotic displays of the national flag. It's a time for Yemenis to reflect on their shared history, culture, and aspirations for a united and prosperous nation. Unity Day reinforces the cultural identity and national pride of the Yemeni people.

Eid al-Adha Eve

Eid al-Adha Eve, known as "Chand Raat" in Yemen, is the festive evening preceding Eid al-Adha, the "Festival of Sacrifice." It is a time when Yemeni families prepare for the upcoming celebrations by decorating their homes and offering special prayers. Eid al-Adha Eve holds cultural significance as it commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. Families come together, share meals, and engage in charitable acts, reinforcing the cultural values of sacrifice, compassion, and community unity.

Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha, also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice," is a significant Islamic holiday in Yemen. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. This holiday holds cultural importance as it emphasizes the values of sacrifice, compassion, and generosity. Yemeni families come together to perform the Eid prayer, share a sacrificial meal, and distribute the meat to those in need. It's a time to strengthen cultural bonds, express gratitude, and promote unity within the community. Eid al-Adha showcases the spirit of giving and solidarity.

July 7th Anniversary

The July 7th Anniversary is a historic day in Yemen's calendar. It commemorates the South Yemeni Revolution of 1994, when North and South Yemen were reunited. This day holds cultural and historical significance as it marks a pivotal moment in the nation's history. Yemenis celebrate with various events, including parades, cultural exhibitions, and flag-raising ceremonies. It's an occasion for reflection on the country's past and a celebration of its unity. The July 7th Anniversary reinforces cultural identity and national pride while promoting a sense of unity among Yemeni people.

Muharram

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar and holds religious importance in Yemen. It marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year and is a time for reflection, fasting, and spiritual contemplation. Muharram is significant culturally as it highlights the Islamic traditions and rituals followed by Yemeni Muslims. The month is observed with fasting on the 9th and 10th days (Ashura), which holds historical significance in Islamic history. It's a time to strengthen one's faith, engage in prayers, and remember the sacrifices of the past, reinforcing cultural ties and religious values.

Revolution Day

Revolution Day, celebrated on September 26th, is a significant national holiday in Yemen. It marks the anniversary of the 1962 revolution that ended the Imamate rule and led to the establishment of the Yemen Arab Republic. This day holds cultural and historical importance as it symbolizes the struggle for independence and the desire for self-determination. Yemenis celebrate with parades, cultural events, and patriotic displays of the national flag. Revolution Day reinforces the cultural identity and national pride of the Yemeni people, reminding them of their history and aspirations for a free and prosperous nation.

The Prophet's Birthday (Tentative Date)

The Prophet's Birthday, known as Mawlid al-Nabi, is a significant Islamic holiday that celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The date varies each year as it follows the Islamic lunar calendar. This holiday holds cultural and religious importance in Yemen as it allows Muslims to reflect on the life and teachings of the Prophet. Celebrations include special prayers, recitations of poetry, and gatherings to discuss the Prophet's exemplary character. It reinforces cultural ties among Yemeni Muslims and serves as a reminder of the Prophet's role as a source of guidance and inspiration.

Liberation Day

Liberation Day, celebrated on July 7th, marks the liberation of South Yemen from British colonial rule in 1967. This day holds cultural and historical significance as it symbolizes the struggle for independence and the end of foreign domination. Yemenis celebrate with parades, cultural events, and patriotic displays of the national flag. Liberation Day reinforces the cultural identity and national pride of the Yemeni people, reminding them of their history and their pursuit of freedom and self-determination.

Independence Day

Independence Day, celebrated on November 30th, is a significant national holiday in Yemen. It commemorates the end of British colonial rule in South Yemen in 1967. This day holds cultural and historical importance as it symbolizes the nation's struggle for independence and self-determination. Yemenis celebrate with parades, cultural events, and patriotic displays of the national flag. Independence Day reinforces the cultural identity and national pride of the Yemeni people, reminding them of their history and their aspirations for a free and sovereign nation.