Republic Day, which marks the proclamation of the Turkish Republic on October 29, 1923, is the last public holiday of 2026 and one of the most visible celebrations of the year, with flags on buildings, ceremonies and fireworks in many cities. Here is what to expect this year and how the 2027 calendar looks.
Republic Day 2026
October 29, 2026, falls on a Thursday and is a full public holiday. The day before, Wednesday, October 28, is a half day, with the holiday starting at 1 p.m. Schools are open in the morning.
Friday, October 30, is not a public holiday. Reporting from October 6 noted that schools are expected to hold classes as normal unless a separate administrative leave decision is announced, so families hoping for a four-day weekend should watch for official statements from the Ministry of National Education or local governorships.
Government offices, banks and many businesses close on the holiday itself, while shops, restaurants and tourist sites in larger cities often stay open. If you have errands at a tax office, notary or migration office, it is sensible to finish them before midday on October 28.
Public holidays in 2027
Türkiye's fixed national holidays fall on the same dates every year. In 2027 they land as follows: New Year's Day on Friday, January 1; National Sovereignty and Children's Day on Friday, April 23; Labor and Solidarity Day on Saturday, May 1; Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day on Wednesday, May 19; Democracy and National Unity Day on Thursday, July 15; Victory Day on Monday, August 30; and Republic Day on Friday, October 29.
The two religious holidays move each year because they follow the lunar calendar. According to CNN Türk, the Ramadan Feast (Ramazan Bayramı) runs from Tuesday, March 9, to Thursday, March 11, 2027, with its eve on Monday, March 8. The Feast of Sacrifice (Kurban Bayramı) runs from Sunday, May 16, to Wednesday, May 19, with its eve on Saturday, May 15. That means May 19 coincides with the last day of Kurban Bayramı.
The eves of religious holidays are usually half days. The government sometimes adds extra administrative leave days around religious holidays to create longer breaks, but these are announced closer to the date. Expect heavy traffic, busy airports and fully booked coastal hotels during these periods, and check official announcements before making firm plans.
Sources
Photo: William Neuheisel from DC, US / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
