It’s no secret that Mauritius is steeped in different cultures, which means so many opportunities to party! We have holidays for different religions, including Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. We are proud to come together and honor the various important days for our multicultural people. Here are some of the most popular public holidays, celebrations and festivals in Mauritius.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
When is it? New Year’s Day (January 1) and January 2 are public holidays in Mauritius. Consequently, many businesses will be closed for a few days after New Year’s Eve (December 31).
As in many countries around the world, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with style in Mauritius! Expect firecrackers, music and beach parties. Many hotels and resorts pull out all the stops for New Year’s Eve with an extravagant dinner and their own fireworks.
Chinese New Year
When is it? Chinese New Year is a public holiday usually celebrated in January or February, depending on the lunar calendar.
Lion dance, firecrackers and lucky red envelopes: Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) is celebrated every year across the island. The biggest celebration usually takes place in Port Louis’ Chinatown, where you’ll find plenty of Chinese shops and incredible architecture.
Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery
When is it? The commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery is a public holiday held on February 1st.
The commemoration of the abolition of slavery is not a festival or celebration, but it is an important day to reflect and honor the enslaved Mauritians who fought for their freedom. You can visit historical or cultural sites in Mauritius and listen to the stories of people who escaped slavery, called the “Maroons”. At the foot of Le Morne, you will find the Slave Route Monument, which is the symbol of the suffering and struggle for freedom that slaves experienced. Many of those who escaped slavery found refuge in Le Morne.
Thaipoosam Cavadee
When is it? Thaipoosam Cavadee is a public holiday celebrated on the full moon of the 10th month of the Tamil calendar, between January and February.
Thaipoosam (or Thaipusam) Cavadee is a Tamil festival celebrated in honor of the god Muruga, a son of Shiva. People carry the Cavadee, an arch covered with flowers, and the sacred milk to the temple. They also show their devotion by becoming vegetarian for 10 days, piercing their skin and walking on fire.
Maha Shivaratri
When is it? Maha Shivaratri is a public holiday celebrated on the thirteenth night and fourteenth day of the eleventh Hindu month, which usually falls between February and March.
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. In Mauritius, people traditionally celebrate Maha Shivaratri by walking to a sacred lake known as Grand Bassin or Ganga Talao. Once there, pilgrims can make offerings to the Hindu shrines there, including a 33-meter-high statue of Lord Shiva.
Holi, the “Festival of Colors”
When is it? Holi is celebrated around the full moon in March, which marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It’s not a public holiday in Mauritius, but that doesn’t stop locals from joining in the colorful celebrations!
Colorful paint flying in the air, songs, dances and pastries stuffed with dried fruits and nuts. Holi, known as the festival of colors, paints the streets of Mauritius with all the colors of the rainbow!
Independence and Republic Day
When is it? Mauritius Independence and Republic Day is celebrated on March 12!
Our beautiful island nation gained its independence in 1968 and has celebrated the day as a public holiday every year since. It’s a public holiday, a day to celebrate everything we love about our country. If you find yourself in Mauritius in the days leading up to Independence and Republic Day, you will definitely notice our colorful flag flown across the island. We are very proud of our independence and we are not afraid to shout it from the rooftops!
Ugadi (Gudi Padwa)
When is it? Ugadi (Gudi Padwa) is a public holiday celebrated in the New Year according to the lunisolar calendar. The festival generally takes place in March or April.
Ugadi or Gudi Padwa is a celebration of good resolutions. The population respects traditions such as cleaning the house before the day and visiting temples on the same day. If you are in Mauritius for Ugadi or Gudi Padwa, you may have the opportunity to taste the traditional flavors of the festival, including neem, mango and tamarind.
Eid al-Fitr
When is it? Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday celebrated at the end of Ramadan. As it is based on the Islamic calendar, the date varies each year.
Family, friends and neighbors greet each other with “Eid Mubarak” on Eid al-Fitr. It is the Islamic holiday following Ramadan, the month of prayers and fasting. After breaking the fast together, people traditionally go to the mosque to pray, wear new clothes and make donations to those in need.
Ganesh Chaturthi
When is it? Ganesh Chaturthi is a public holiday that is usually held between August and September.
Organized in honor of Lord Ganesh, the Hindu god known for his elephant head, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most celebrated festivals in Mauritius. On the banks and beaches, you can watch the procession of believers carrying clay statues of Lord Ganesh which are then immersed in the water.
Diwali
When is it? Diwali is a public holiday celebrated in October or November, according to the Hindu calendar which depends on the moon.
With Hinduism being the largest religion in Mauritius, it is no surprise that the “Festival of Lights” is a big celebration on the island. Island residents traditionally spend Diwali decorating their homes with lights, preparing traditional desserts and drawing colorful rangolis (intricate designs often made on the floor).
Christmas
When is it? Christmas Day – December 25 – is a public holiday in Mauritius.
In Mauritius, Christmas is full of traditions, but with a tropical touch! This is the time when the island’s bright red flamboyant trees are in bloom and families and friends gather to exchange gifts under the tree. If you are in Mauritius on Christmas Eve, you will be able to admire the fireworks that are set off almost every evening from Christmas Eve until New Year’s Eve!
