Home Blog Top Public Holidays Around the World in 2025: What You Need to Know
Public holidays are more than just days off work—they’re a celebration of culture, history, and traditions. As we look ahead to 2025, people around the world will come together to mark these significant days. Whether you’re a traveler planning your next big trip, a businessperson scheduling meetings, or simply someone curious about global cultures, knowing the key public holidays across the world can help you plan better and learn something new.
In this post, we’ve rounded up some of the top public holidays in 2025 from different countries.
What It Celebrates: Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year. It’s the most significant holiday in China and is celebrated in many other countries with large Chinese communities.
How It’s Celebrated:
- Families gather for a reunion dinner.
- Fireworks, red decorations, and lion dances dominate the celebrations.
- People exchange red envelopes containing money for good luck.
Where to Experience It: Visit Beijing, Shanghai, or Singapore to experience vibrant parades and spectacular celebrations.
What It Celebrates: Holi, also called the Festival of Colors, celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring.
How It’s Celebrated:
- People throw colored powders and water at each other in joyous celebrations.
- Music, dance, and festive foods like gujiya and thandai are enjoyed.
Where to Experience It: Cities like Mathura, Vrindavan, and Jaipur in India offer the most iconic Holi experiences.
What It Celebrates: Bastille Day commemorates the French Revolution and the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, symbolizing liberty and the unity of the French people.
How It’s Celebrated:
- Military parades take place in Paris, including the iconic Champs-Élysées parade.
- Fireworks light up the Eiffel Tower at night.
- Local towns host street parties and festive gatherings.
Where to Experience It: Paris is the ultimate destination, but towns across France hold lively celebrations.
What It Celebrates: Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for life’s blessings and commemorate the harvest feast shared by Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621.
How It’s Celebrated:
- Families gather to share a meal featuring turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.
- Parades, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, attract global attention.
- The day marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
Where to Experience It: New York City offers a festive atmosphere, while small-town celebrations provide a cozy experience.
What It Celebrates: Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is a global holiday that blends religious and cultural traditions.
How It’s Celebrated:
- Families decorate Christmas trees, exchange gifts, and share festive meals.
- Churches hold special midnight masses.
- Cities are lit up with twinkling lights, Christmas markets, and caroling.
Where to Experience It: London, New York, and Vienna are renowned for their magical Christmas markets and festive spirit.
Understanding public holidays helps you make the most of your year, whether you’re traveling, scheduling business, or enjoying cultural experiences. Mark these important dates in your calendar to ensure you don’t miss out on celebrations across the globe.
Public holidays offer a glimpse into the culture, traditions, and history of countries worldwide. From the colors of Holi in India to the fireworks of Bastille Day in France, each celebration has its unique charm.
Which of these holidays would you love to experience in 2025? Let us know in the comments!
Don’t forget to explore our 2025 Calendar Collection to plan your year with ease!