Grenada has around fifteen public holidays a year, a mix of fixed national days, Christian feasts that move with Easter, and the two days of carnival in August. On most of them, banks, government offices and many businesses close, buses run reduced services, and the rhythm of the island changes. For visitors, residents and anyone with business to do, knowing the dates avoids wasted trips and missed deadlines.
Public holidays are set under the Bank Holidays Act, and the government can proclaim additional or substitute days. The list and dates below follow the pattern of recent years, using 2026 as an example where dates move. Always check the current year's official list, published by the Government of Grenada, before planning anything that depends on an office being open.
The fixed-date public holidays
These holidays fall on the same calendar date each year. When one falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is normally observed as the holiday:
- 1 January, New Year's Day. Follows Old Year's Night celebrations and watch-night church services.
- 7 February, Independence Day. Marks independence from Britain in 1974, with a parade and ceremony at the National Stadium.
- 1 May, Labour Day. Recognises workers and the trade union movement, which has played a large role in Grenada's political history.
- 1 August, Emancipation Day. Marks the abolition of slavery in the British Caribbean in 1834. The observed day has at times been moved to a Monday, as in 2026, when it was observed on 3 August.
- 19 October, National Heroes' Day. A public holiday since 2023, commemorating Maurice Bishop and others killed at Fort George in 1983 and honouring national heroes.
- 25 October, Thanksgiving Day. The anniversary of the 1983 intervention by US and Caribbean forces. In 2026 it fell on a Sunday, with Monday 26 October as the observed holiday.
- 25 and 26 December, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The main family holidays of the year.
Holidays that move each year
Four Christian holidays follow the date of Easter. Good Friday and Easter Monday fall in March or April; in 2026 they were 3 and 6 April. Whit Monday, the day after Pentecost, falls seven weeks after Easter Sunday, and was 25 May in 2026. Corpus Christi falls on the Thursday ten days after Whit Monday (60 days after Easter Sunday), on 4 June in 2026. Corpus Christi is marked by Catholic processions in many parishes, reflecting the strong Catholic presence in Grenada.
The carnival holidays follow their own rule: Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday are the second Monday and Tuesday of August, which were 10 and 11 August in 2026. These are the busiest days of the year in St George's, with J'ouvert, Monday Night Mas and the Parade of the Bands, and many businesses close for both days. Because Emancipation Day and the carnival days both fall in early August, the first half of the month can include up to three public holidays within about ten days.
What closes and what stays open
On a public holiday, government ministries and offices, banks, the post office and most professional offices close. Many shops close or keep shorter hours, especially outside tourist areas. Supermarkets in Grand Anse and St George's often open for at least part of the day, though not always; on Good Friday and Christmas Day, closures are more widespread. Pharmacies may operate a rota, and the General Hospital in St George's and emergency services operate as normal, with emergency help on 911.
Route buses run, but with fewer vehicles, particularly in the evening. Taxis are available, especially in tourist areas. Hotels, resorts and most restaurants serving visitors stay open, although some independent restaurants close. Tour operators often run as usual, but government-managed sites and some attractions may have changed hours. The airport and ferry services operate, though schedules can differ, so check times directly with the Osprey ferry or airlines over holiday weekends.
How each holiday feels on the ground
Good Friday. The quietest day of the year in many communities. Church services dominate, many businesses close and music is subdued. Fish is traditionally eaten rather than meat.
Easter Monday. Family outings, beach gatherings and sports events. Beaches such as Grand Anse can be busy with local families.
Labour Day. Trade unions hold rallies and marches, and some communities organise sports and cultural events.
Emancipation Day. Cultural events, drumming and reflections on the history of slavery, often linked with the start of the August festival season and, on Carriacou, the Regatta.
Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Street festivities in St George's and celebrations elsewhere, with roads closed and very little business activity.
National Heroes' Day and Thanksgiving. Official ceremonies and commemorations of the events of 1983. Both are reflective rather than festive.
Christmas and Boxing Day. Church, family meals, visiting and, for many, beach or river outings on Boxing Day.
Planning around holidays: practical tips
For visitors, holidays rarely cause serious problems, but they can disrupt plans that depend on banks, government services or rural shops. If you need cash, withdraw it before a long weekend, as ATMs in busy areas can run low. If you are self-catering, shop the day before, especially before Good Friday and Christmas. If you are relying on buses, expect longer waits and plan evening journeys carefully.
Residents and businesses face more practical consequences. Deadlines at government offices, such as for vehicle licensing, tax filings or permits, may shift when a holiday falls on the due date, and processing slows around clusters of holidays in April, early August and late December. Employers should be aware of entitlements under Grenada's labour legislation for staff working on public holidays; the Department of Labour is the authority to consult. Banks publish their holiday closures in advance, and checking those notices avoids missed transfers or payments.
Common holiday mix-ups
Several of Grenada's holidays are easily confused, especially by visitors from North America and Europe:
- Thanksgiving is not the American holiday. Grenada's Thanksgiving Day on 25 October marks the 1983 intervention, not a harvest celebration in November.
- Emancipation Day may move. The anniversary is 1 August, but the observed holiday has been placed on a Monday in some years. Check the year's proclamation.
- Carnival is not before Lent on the mainland. Mainland Grenada's carnival holidays are in August; Ash Wednesday is not a public holiday.
- Sunday holidays shift to Monday. Offices close on the Monday, which surprises people who expect business as usual.
- Corpus Christi is a national holiday. Unlike in many English-speaking countries, it closes offices and banks in Grenada.
- Boxing Day is a full holiday. 26 December is a day off, not a shopping day, and many businesses stay closed.
Commemorations that are not public holidays
Some important dates in Grenada are marked without a day off. Fisherman's Birthday on 29 June is a major celebration in Gouyave, but businesses elsewhere operate normally. The anniversary of the 1979 revolution on 13 March and other political anniversaries are commemorated by some groups but are not national holidays. Religious feasts beyond the official list are observed by particular churches.
The Carriacou Regatta Festival, the Maroon and String Band Music Festival and the Parang Festival are major events on the sister islands but are not public holidays in themselves. Similarly, cultural days and sporting achievements are celebrated, and special one-off holidays can be proclaimed by the government for exceptional occasions. When planning around any of these, check with local organisers and look out for official announcements of any additional holidays.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Grenada have?
Grenada typically has around fifteen public holidays a year, including Independence Day, Emancipation Day, National Heroes' Day, Thanksgiving, the Easter and Whitsun holidays, Corpus Christi and the two carnival days in August. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is normally observed instead.
Are banks open on public holidays in Grenada?
No. Banks close on public holidays, along with government offices and the post office. ATMs remain available but can run low over long weekends, so withdraw cash beforehand. Banks publish holiday closure notices in advance, which are worth checking if you need to make transfers or payments.
Is Carnival Monday a public holiday in Grenada?
Yes. Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday, the second Monday and Tuesday of August, are both public holidays. Most businesses close, roads in St George's are busy with J'ouvert, Monday Night Mas and the Parade of the Bands, and public transport runs limited or diverted services.
What is National Heroes' Day in Grenada?
National Heroes' Day on 19 October has been a public holiday since 2023. It commemorates the deaths of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and others at Fort George on 19 October 1983 and honours those recognised as national heroes. It is marked with official ceremonies and commemorations rather than festivities.
Do buses run on public holidays in Grenada?
Route buses do operate on most public holidays, but with fewer vehicles and longer waits, especially in the evening. On Carnival Monday and Tuesday, routes through St George's are diverted or limited. Taxis are available in tourist areas. Plan journeys with extra time and arrange return transport in advance.
