Public holiday Community and charity
Bahrain National Day and Accession Day
Bahrain marks its National Day and the anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne on 16 and 17 December, a two-day official holiday.
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- UAE and Gulf
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OrganiserNo single organiser
ListingAdded by us from official sources
Last checked21 October 2026
First heldNot known
About the day
Bahrain's National Days fall on 16 and 17 December. They mark the founding of the modern Bahraini state by Ahmed Al Fateh in 1783, the anniversary of Bahrain's full UN membership, and the anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's accession to the throne.
Both days are official holidays. In 2025, ministries, government agencies and public institutions closed on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 December under a circular from the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Dates for the next three years
| Year | Date | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 to 17 December 2026 | UAE and Gulf | Same date every year |
| 2027 | 16 to 17 December 2027 | UAE and Gulf | Same date every year |
| 2028 | 16 to 17 December 2028 | UAE and Gulf | Same date every year |
Sectors this day suits
Types of business that could link their activity to this day.
- hospitality
- travel and tourism
- retail
- food and drink
- events
- media and broadcasting
- printing and signage
Where this information comes from
- Gulf Daily News: National Day celebrations
- News of Bahrain: National Day and Accession Day holidays
- Electricity and Water Authority: EWA celebrates Bahrain's National Days
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