Bahrain National Day 2026 falls on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 December. Because Bahrain’s weekend is Friday and Saturday, those two days run straight into it. The result is a four-day break from Wednesday to Saturday, with most people back at work on Sunday 20 December.
That is about as good as the calendar gets for a midweek holiday. Below are the exact dates, how the long weekend works for different groups, and a few things worth sorting out before everything closes.
Quick answer: the official National Day holidays are 16 and 17 December 2026. With the Friday and Saturday weekend, that gives a four-day break from 16 to 19 December.
Bahrain National Day 2026 holiday dates
| Day | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 15 Dec 2026 | Normal working day |
| Wednesday | 16 Dec 2026 | National Day holiday |
| Thursday | 17 Dec 2026 | National Day holiday |
| Friday | 18 Dec 2026 | Weekend |
| Saturday | 19 Dec 2026 | Weekend |
| Sunday | 20 Dec 2026 | Back to work |
The Central Bank of Bahrain’s official holiday list for 2026 already shows 16 and 17 December as National Day. Unlike the Eid holidays, these dates are fixed every year, so they do not depend on the moon.
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Why 16 and 17 December?
The two days are known together as National Day and Accession Day, and they form the country’s main patriotic holiday. That is why streets, malls and government buildings across the kingdom are dressed in red and white for much of December.
How the long weekend works for different groups
Government employees
Ministries and government bodies close on both official days. Government services that run around the clock, such as hospitals and emergency services, keep working on rotas.
Private sector employees
Bahrain’s labour law treats official public holidays as paid days off for private sector workers. Companies that need to stay open usually run a rota. If you are asked to work on 16 or 17 December, check your contract and ask HR how the day will be paid or replaced before you agree to a shift.
Schools
Schools close for National Day. Some private schools start their winter break around the same time, so check your school’s calendar for the exact date classes stop.
Banks
Banks close on the two official days because they appear on the central bank’s holiday list. Online and mobile banking keep working.
Is a four-day weekend guaranteed?
For anyone on a Friday and Saturday weekend, yes. The two holidays are fixed and they fall on Wednesday and Thursday this year. Anyone who works on Saturdays, which is common in retail and hospitality, will get a three-day break instead unless their employer gives Saturday off too.
Turning Bahrain National Day 2026 into a longer break
Take Sunday 13, Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 December as annual leave and you get nine days off in a row, from Friday 11 to Saturday 19 December. That is three days of leave for nine days off, so if you plan to travel, book early.
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Before the holiday starts
- Pay utility bills early. You can pay your EWA bill online without eKey in a few minutes.
- Clear any pending fines. Our guide shows how to pay traffic fines in Bahrain online.
- If you are an expat, check where you stand on Bahrain’s new compulsory health insurance before travelling.
- Expect heavy traffic in Manama and on the King Fahd Causeway, especially on Wednesday morning and Saturday evening.
The official government announcement normally comes out a few days before the holiday. We will update this page if anything changes.
Pro Tip: Long weekends are when traffic on the King Fahd Causeway is at its heaviest, both on the way out and on the way back. If you are driving to Saudi Arabia, leave as early as you can on the first day and plan your return before the evening rush on Saturday.
FAQs
When is Bahrain National Day 2026?
The official holidays are Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 December 2026.
Is it a four-day weekend?
Yes, for anyone on a Friday and Saturday weekend. The break runs from 16 to 19 December, with work resuming on Sunday 20 December.
Are the National Day dates the same every year?
Yes. Unlike the Eid holidays, 16 and 17 December are fixed and do not depend on moon sightings.
Do banks close for Bahrain National Day?
Yes. Both days appear on the Central Bank of Bahrain’s official holiday list for 2026. Online and mobile banking keep working.
How can I get nine days off?
Take annual leave on Sunday 13, Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 December. With the weekends and the two holidays, that gives you nine days off from 11 to 19 December.
