Bangladesh : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

School holidays :

Secular holiday : After Sheikh Mujib's declaration of independence, Pakistan's President Yahya Khan outlawed the Awami League and arrested its leaders. Resistance fighters continued to battle the Pakistan army, resulting in nearly ten million refugees fleeing to India. India declared war on Pakistan on December 4, and Pakistan surrendered soon afterwards, on December 16, 1971. Mujib returned to become the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.

Banks only :

Secular holiday :

Tradeshows : Lasts 1 month - at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar - 2025 edition confirmed

School holidays : Http://bmeb.ebmeb.gov.bd/

Bangladeshi schools observe 85 days of holidays, following Islamic celebrations
Schools are closed on Friday and Saturday


We carry confirmed dates till Jan 2025 - heat waves may affect the calendar

Please note that authorities may take last-minute decisions; please double-check if this information is vital to you
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Culture : On this day in 1972, Bangabandhu returned to independent Bangladesh after over nine and a half months' confinement in a Pakistan jail. The political icon termed his homecoming a journey from the darkness to light .

Muslim, Sufi : Shab-e-meraz

Buddhism (Vajrayana) : Bhawasma Budhbar - Chinese New Year

Hinduism : The main festival in Bengal in tribute to goddess Durga. Bengalis celebrate with new clothes and other gifts which are worn on the evenings when the family goes out to see the pandals (temporary structures set up to venerate Durga).

Tradeshows : Https://www.chanchao.com.tw/ lasts 5 days - in Dhaka 2025 edition confirmed

Banks only : Muslims believe that on the night of Shab-E-Barat god writes the destinies of all men for the coming year by taking into account the deeds committed by them in the past. Shab-E-Barat means the night of forgiveness or Day of Atonement. People pray to god both in preparation for Ramadan and for the forgiveness of the sins committed by them.

Secular holiday : This day commemorates the lives sacrificed to make Bengali one of the national languages when Bangladesh was part of Pakistan. The West Pakistani regime tried to force Urdu as the national language. A demonstration by Bengalis was shot at by police, leading to the death of 4 demonstrators. The nascent Bengali patriotism lead to the birth of Bangladesh. Shaheed Dibosh (Martyrs' Day)

Culture :

Secular holiday : The Aug. 15 holiday was scrapped in 2002 by the government of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, after she won a 2001 election by defeating Mujib's daughter Sheikh Hasina, another former prime minister. Mujib was killed with most members of his family in a military coup in 1975, which began years of rule by army generals, including Khaleda's husband Ziaur Rahman, who was killed in a 1981 mutiny. Mujib formally gave the directive for a guerrilla war to gain independence from Pakistan in March 1971. He was arrested by the Pakistani army but his followers led the war to achieve independence in December 1971.

Banks only :

Secular holiday : In 1970, East Pakistan's leading political party, the Awami League, won the elections. Its leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was to become the next Prime Minister, but the President of Pakistan refused. Mujib declared independence for the People's Republic of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971. A nine-month civil war ensued.

Muslim, Sufi : Shab-e-Qadr is a Persian name meaning 'the night of power' or 'the night of respect' or 'Evening of Destiny'; the most blessed of all the nights of the year according to Islam. In the Holy quran and hadith it is referred to as Lailatu'l-Qadr. Five verses of Al-Alaq, the first surah of the Quran was revealed. About Shab-e-Qadr the Quran says: it is the night in which the Quran was revealed; it is better than a thousand months; during this night the angels including Jibra'il descended with the permission of their Lord; there is peace all night long.

Muslim, Sufi : The Muslims observe Jumatul Wida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, with traditional religious fervour and solemnity at the Grand Mosque of Andarkilla in Chittagong. Millions of fasting people offer Friday prayers at mosques and prayer grounds. Jumatul Wida has a special significance since it is a prelude to the departure of holy month of Ramadan and considered the harbinger of the end of the showering of divine blessings that characterize the holy month. Holy Prophet (pbuh) also stressed the sanctity of this day. Paid holiday when falling on Friday

Banks only :

Banks only :

School holidays :

Muslim, Sufi :