Public holidays in the Falkland Islands explained

Public holidays in the Falkland Islands are determined by the Executive Council of the Falkland Islands. There are currently nine annual public holidays in force in the Falklands, with several other observances throughout the year.[1] When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the holiday is carried over to the following Monday.[2]

Public holidays

DateHolidayNotes
1 JanuaryNew Year's Day
variableGood Friday
14 JuneLiberation DayThe anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islanders from Argentine military occupation at the end of the Falklands War in 1982.
First Monday in OctoberPeat Cutting DayPublic holiday since 2002.
14 NovemberKing's BirthdayObserved on the day of King Charles III's birth rather than his official birthday. The holiday was previously held on 21 April during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.[3]
8 DecemberBattle DayThe anniversary of the Battle of the Falkland Islands in 1914.
25 DecemberChristmas Day
26 DecemberBoxing Day
27 DecemberChristmas HolidayAdditional public holiday after Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Other observances

DateHolidayNotes
10 January[4] Margaret Thatcher DayThe anniversary of the day British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visited the Falklands in 1983. Not a public holiday.
14 AugustFalklands DayThe anniversary of the first sighting of the Falkland Islands by John Davis in 1592. Ceased be to a public holiday in 2002 when the Executive Council moved the holiday to provide for the re-introduction of Peat Cutting Monday.
30 DecemberGovernment HolidayNot public holidays, but days on which all Government Departments (other than those providing essential services) are closed. Should these days fall on the weekend, they are moved to the previous Friday/Thursday.
31 December

One-off public holidays

A one-off public holiday was declared for 19 September 2022, the day of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Holidays and observances in Falkland Islands in 2021. www.timeanddate.com. en. 13 June 2021.
  2. Web site: Falkland Islands Public Holidays 2020 - 2023 . fig.gov.fk . 13 June 2021.
  3. News: Falklands appoints 14 November as a Public Holiday, to celebrate birthday of King Charles III . 7 November 2022 . MercoPress . en.
  4. Web site: Falkland Islands day of mourning for Baroness Thatcher . BBC News . 10 April 2013. 1 June 2021 . Margaret Thatcher Day is celebrated every 10 January on the islands.
  5. News: Falklands Public Holiday and national two minute's silence for Queen Elizabeth II . 7 March 2023 . MercoPress . 14 September 2022.