Public holidays 2027 — An extra Monday off thanks to the new law
The public holiday calendar for 2027 will include a major change: when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday may also be declared a public holiday. This new provision will benefit the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in 2027.
The Cabinet took note of the official list of public holidays for 2027. Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Sunday, September 5. Pursuant to section 3(3) of the Public Holidays Act , as amended by the Economic and Financial Measures (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 , Monday, September 6, 2027, will also be a public holiday.
This measure addresses a situation frequently lamented by employees: when a religious or national holiday fell on a Sunday, it did not necessarily entitle them to a compensatory day off during the week. With the amendment to the law adopted in 2026, the principle of taking the following Monday off is now enshrined in the circumstances stipulated by the legislation.
In 2027, Mauritians will benefit from two consecutive public holidays for Ganesh Chaturthi: Sunday, September 5, the date of the religious celebration, and Monday, September 6, granted in accordance with new legal provisions. This decision will allow worshippers to fully participate in the ceremonies and processions without losing the benefit of a weekday holiday.
Several public holidays during the weekend
The year 2027 will begin with the two days dedicated to the New Year, Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd January. Thaipoosam Cavadee will be celebrated on Friday 22nd January, thus offering a long weekend.
The commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery will take place on Monday, February 1st. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, will fall on Saturday, February 6th. Maha Shivaratri will be celebrated on Saturday, March 6th.
The national holiday marking Independence and the Republic will be observed on Friday, March 12. It will be preceded, on Wednesday, March 10, by Eid-ul-Fitr. The exact date of this Muslim holiday remains subject to confirmation, as its celebration depends on the sighting of the moon.
Ugadi will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 7, while Labor Day will fall on Saturday, May 1. Ganesh Chaturthi will then give rise to two consecutive public holidays, on Sunday, September 5 and Monday, September 6.
Diwali will be celebrated on Friday, October 29. All Saints' Day will fall on Monday, November 1, immediately followed, on Tuesday, November 2, by the commemoration of the Arrival of Indentured Laborers. These two consecutive days will thus allow for a long four-day weekend, from Saturday, October 30 to Tuesday, November 2.
Finally, Christmas will be celebrated on Saturday, December 25th.
The complete calendar of public holidays for 2027
- January 1st: New Year's Day (Friday)
- January 2nd: New Year's Eve (Saturday)
- January 22: Thaipoosam Cavadee (Friday)
- February 1st: Abolition of Slavery (Monday)
- February 6: Chinese New Year (Saturday)
- March 6: Maha Shivaratree (Saturday)
- March 10: Eid-Ul-Fitr, subject to confirmation (Wednesday)
- March 12: Independence and Republic Day (Friday)
- April 7: Ougadi (Wednesday)
- May 1st: Labour Day (Saturday)
- September 5: Ganesh Chaturthi (Sunday)
- September 6: Public holiday granted under the new law (Monday)
- October 29: Diwali (Friday)
- November 1st: All Saints' Day (Monday)
- November 2nd: Arrival of the hired workers (Tuesday)
- December 25th: Christmas (Saturday)
In total, the calendar includes 16 public holidays, including Monday, September 6th, which was granted as a replacement for Ganesh Chaturthi, which falls on a Sunday. Several holidays, however, will take place on a Saturday, notably the second day of the Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year, Maha Shivaratri, Labor Day, and Christmas.
The most significant innovation remains the application of the new legal provision allowing for a public holiday on Monday when a relevant festival falls on a Sunday. In 2027, Ganesh Chaturthi will be the first celebration on the calendar to benefit from this mechanism.
