Vanuatu Events
Public Holidays
There are many official public holidays in Vanuatu, and each Island also has its own special public holiday. Which means if you have staff from a variety of islands they will have additional public holidays throughout the year. It is also not uncommon for the prime minister to announce a close of business day at the beginning of the business day to honour the death of a prominent official. Throughout the year there are many local and international events, tournaments and celebrations.
Calendar of public holidays and major events.
January
- 1 New Year's Day, nationwide
February
- February 15 John Frum Day (cargo cult) is celebrated on Tanna Island
- February 21 Lini Day is celebrated to honour the Father of Independence, nationwide
March
- March 5 Custom Chiefs' Day, nationwide
- March or April Easter Good Friday and Easter Monday, nationwide
April
- April – June, Nagol/Pentecost Land Diving, every Saturday, Pentecost Island
May
- May 1 Labour Day, nationwide
- May 5 Ascension Day, nationwide
- May 23-29 Vanuatu Marlin Classic Competition, Port Vila, Efate
June
- June 12 Vanuatu Ocean Swim, Port Vila, Efate
- June 15 Espiritu Santo Vanuatu Ocean Swim, Santo
- June 21 Fete de la Musique (in Port Vila and on Santo, Tanna and Malekula islands)
- June 27 Le Meridien Swim Run, Efate
July
- July 14 French National Day, Bastille Day, Efate
- July 15 Kiwani's Charity Race Ball, Efate
- July 16 Kiwani's Calcutta Night, Efate
- July 17 Kiwani's Horse Racing Day, Efate
- July 23 Miss Vanuatu, Efate
- July 25 Wilco Round Island Relay, Efate
- July 24 Children's Day, nationwide
- July 30 Independence Day, nationwide
- July 31- 6 August, Aniwa and Tanna Swim Safari. Aniwa and Tanna Islands
- July 31 Vanuatu Half Marathon Run, Efate
August
- August 3-8 Vanuatu Golf Open, held at Port Vila Golf and Country Club, Efate
- August 11-18 Vanuatu kite surfing championships, Efate
- August 15-20 National Sandroing, this sand drawing festival takes place each year at a different location, in the northern tropical islands of Vanuatu
- August 16 Assumption Day, Nationwide
- August 17 Tusker Vanuatu Golf Open, Efate
- August 20-22 Adventure Race Vanuatu, Efate
- August 25 Tok Tok Vanuatu, Efate
- August 25-27 Back to my Roots festival, Ambrym Island
- August 31 La Piste Bleu- Unelco Run, Efate
- August TBA Le Meridien Fun Swim Run & Sprint, Efate
September
- September 5 Vanuatu Game Fishing Dogtooth Competition, Efate
- September 8 Tanna Trail, Tanna Island
- September 9 Vanuatu Game Fishing, Efate
- September 9-13 Lalina Mini Art Festival, Ambrym
- September 19 Vanuatu Game Fishing, Tusker Tuna Shoot out, Efate
- September TBA Tusker Triathlon Du Paradis, Efate
October
- October 5th Constitution Day, nationwide
- October 20 Fest Nalenga Stringband Festival, Efate
- October 21-23 Fest Napuan Music Festival, Efate
- October 22-26 World's Greatest Shore Dive Festival, Santo
November
- November Melbourne Cup day, Efate
- November 6-11 Vanuatu Aniwa and Tanna Swim Safari, Aniwa and Tanna Islands
- November 29 Unity Day, nationwide
December
- Christmas carols by candlelight are held each December on the harbour front
- December 25th Christmas Day, nationwide
- December 26th Family Day, nationwide