The following are public holidays in Haiti.[1] Many Vodou holidays are also celebrated, but are not considered public holidays.
The two most important holidays for Haitian Americans are Haitian Independence Day and Haitian Flag Day.[2]
| Date | English name | Local name (in French) | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Nouvel an / Jour de l'an / Premier de l'a et Jour de l'Indépendance | Commemorates the day in 1804 when Jean-Jacques Dessalines declared independence and restored the country's native name. | ||
| 2 January | Ancestry Day | Jour des Aieux | Commemorates ancestors and other loved ones who have died fighting for freedom. | |
| 6 January | Le Jour des Rois | Celebrates the Three Wise Men's visit to see the newborn Christ. | ||
| 12 January | Remembrance Day | Jour De Remembrance | Celebrates the victims of the January 2010 earthquakes. | |
| moveable | Carnaval/Mardi Gras | |||
| 1 May | Fête du Travail / Fête des Travailleurs | International holiday | ||
| 18 May | Flag Day and Universities Day | Jour du Drapeau et de l'Université | Celebrates its educational system and commemorates the creation of the flag at the 1803 Arcahaye Conference. | |
| 15 August | L'Assomption de Marie | Roman Catholic holiday | ||
| 17 October | Dessalines Day[3] | Anniversaire de la mort de Dessalines | Commemorates the death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines. | |
| 1 November | La Toussaint | Roman Catholic holiday; commemorates the sainthood. | ||
| 2 November | Jour des Morts | Roman Catholic holiday; commemorates the faithful departed. | ||
| 18 November | Vertières | Commemorates the victory over the French in the Battle of Vertières in the year 1803.[4] | ||
| 5 December | Découverte d'Haïti | Commemorates Christopher Columbus' landing on Hispaniola in 1492. | ||
| 25 December | Noël | Celebrates the nativity of Jesus. |
In addition, the following Christian holidays are celebrated; their dates vary according to the date of Easter each year.
| Date | Name | Local name (in French) | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| moveable | Mercredi Des Cendres | |||
| moveable | Jeudi saint | |||
| moveable | Vendredi saint | |||
| moveable | Pâques | |||
| moveable | Ascension | Thursday, 40th day after Easter Sunday | ||
| moveable | Fête-Dieu |