Key dates in the Kurdistan Region’s history

• 21st March: Nawroz, Kurdish New Year celebrated on the spring equinox.
• 5th March 1991: Uprising against Saddam Hussein’s regime, which began in the town of Rania.
• 14th March 1903: Birthday of Mustafa Barzani, leader of Kurdistan’s national democratic movement.
• 16th March 1988: Halabja Day, commemoration of chemical weapons bombardment on the city of Halabja.
• 14th April: Commemoration of Anfal genocide campaign against the Kurds

National holidays observed by KRG Council of Ministers in 2018

Ministries and government offices are closed. Businesses may also be closed.

Please note that if the national holiday falls at the weekend (Friday or Saturday), then usually the next working day is taken as the national holiday and government offices are closed.

• 1st January: New Year’s Day
• 3rd January: Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday)*
• 6th January: Army Day
• 5th March : Uprising Day (Liberation of Ranya City)
• 11th March: Uprising of Erbil City and anniversary of 11 March agreement
• 21st - 23rd March: Nawroz Kurdish New Year (Spring equinox)
• 9th April: Baghdad Liberation Day (fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime)
• 1st May: International Labour Day
• 14th July: Republic Day
• Eid-al-Fitr Feast (End of Ramadan)*
• Eid al-Qurban Feast*
• Muharram (Islamic New Year) *
• Ashura*
• 25th December: Christmas Day

* Follows the Muslim calendar.

Other important dates in 2018

These are working days at the KRG Council of Ministers, and businesses are open. Special events take place around the Region to mark these dates.

• 1st March: Commemoration of Mustafa Barzani’s Death
• 7th March : Liberation of Slemani City
• 8th March: Women's Day
• 13th March: Liberation of Duhok City
• 16th March: Halabja Day
• 20th March: Liberation of Kirkuk City
• 1st April: Assyrian New Year
• 14th April: Commemoration of Anfal genocide against the Kurds
• 16th April: Remembrance of Chemical Attack on Balisan and Sheikh Wasan
• 17th April: FAO Day
• 19th May: First democratic election in Iraqi Kurdistan (1992)
• 13th June: Suleimaniah City Fallen and Martyrs Day
• 8th August: Ceasefire Day (end of Iran-Iraq War)
• 3rd October: Iraqi Independence Day (National Day)
• 11th December: Establishment of Kurdish Women’s Union