What's on in Guyana
Public holidays, festivals and events across Guyana, from the Service of Guyana calendar. Dates, venues and prices, with Ali on hand to explain any of them.
November 20261 event
Diwali (Deepavali) 2026
HolidaySun 8 Nov, all dayNationwideFree
The Hindu festival of lights: diyas line homes, temples and streets across Guyana, and Georgetown hosts the famous motorcade the evening before. It falls on a Sunday, so the public holiday is observe…
December 20262 events
Christmas Day 2026
HolidayFri 25 Dec, all dayNationwideFree
Christmas Day is a public holiday in Guyana. Expect pepperpot, garlic pork and black cake on every table.
Boxing Day 2026
HolidaySat 26 Dec, all dayNationwideFree
Boxing Day is a public holiday: a day for family visits, the beach and the racetrack.
January 20271 event
New Year's Day 2027
HolidayFri 1 Jan, all dayNationwideFree
New Year's Day is a public holiday across Guyana.
February 20271 event
Republic Day and Mashramani 2027
HolidayTue 23 Feb, all dayGeorgetownFree
Guyana became a republic on 23 February 1970. Mashramani, the national festival, fills Georgetown with the costume and float parade, calypso and soca.
May 20273 events
Labour Day 2027
HolidaySat 1 May, all dayNationwideFree
Labour Day (May Day) is a public holiday marked by trade union rallies and marches in Georgetown.
Arrival Day 2027
HolidayWed 5 May, all dayNationwideFree
Arrival Day commemorates 5 May 1838, when the first indentured immigrants from India landed in Guyana, and honours all the peoples who arrived after emancipation.
Independence Day 2027
HolidayWed 26 May, all dayNationwideFree
Guyana gained independence from Britain on 26 May 1966. The flag-raising ceremony on the eve, with fireworks, is the centrepiece of the celebrations.
July 20271 event
CARICOM Day 2027
HolidayMon 5 Jul, all dayNationwideFree
CARICOM Day, the first Monday in July, marks the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas on 4 July 1973, which created the Caribbean Community. Guyana hosts the CARICOM Secretariat.
August 20271 event
Emancipation Day 2027
HolidaySun 1 Aug, all dayNationwideFree
Emancipation Day commemorates 1 August 1834, when slavery was abolished in the British colonies. African drumming, dance and the festival in the National Park mark the day. It falls on a Sunday, so t…