Brunei Travel Guide - Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
10 Jan Hijriah (Islamic New Year). 
7 Feb Chinese New Year.
23 Feb* National Day. 
20 Mar Maulud (Birth of the Prophet).
31 May* Anniversary of Royal Brunei Malay Regiment.
15 Jul Sultan's Birthday. 
30 July Israk Mikraj (Ascension of the Prophet). 
2 Sep Start of Ramadan.
28 Sep Anniversary of the Revelation of the Quran.
2 Oct Hari Raya Aidilfitri (End of Ramadan). 
9 Dec Hari Raya Aidiladha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
29 Dec Hijriah (Islamic New Year).

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
20 Jan Hijriah (Islamic New Year). 
7 Feb Chinese New Year.
23 Feb* National Day. 
9 Mar Maulud (Birth of the Prophet).
31 May* Anniversary of Royal Brunei Malay Regiment.
15 Jul Sultan's Birthday. 
20 July Israk Mikraj (Ascension of the Prophet). 
22 Aug Start of Ramadan.
17 Sep Anniversary of the Revelation of the Quran.
21 Sep Hari Raya Aidilfitri (End of Ramadan). 
28 Nov Hari Raya Aidiladha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

* Where a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, official rules apply allowing days in lieu.

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Hari Raya Puasa, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Restaurants are closed during the day and Muslims are prohibited from smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Hari Raya Puasa itself. Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji may last anything from two to 10 days.