Public holidays in Moldova


Public holidays in the Republic of Moldova refer to the celebrated non-working days established by the Government of Moldova and valid for the whole territory of the country. Autonomous territorial units Gagauzia and Transnistria, as well cities, communes and cantonal authorities also establish local holidays, which are, however, not non-working days. There are 14 nationally celebrated holidays in the modern Moldova. Most holidays celebrated in the Republic of Moldova recognize events or people from Moldovan history. Most retail businesses close on New Year's and Independence Day, but remain open on all other holidays. Private businesses often observe only the big holidays such as the New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Victory Day, Independence Day, Labour Day, Romanian Language Day and Christmas.
The holiday season in the winter traditionally ran between New Year's Day until Old New Year. As of 2009, the holiday season now officially begins with Western Christmas on 25 December, now a legal holiday in the Republic of Moldova. The holiday seasons gets underway much earlier with the official lighting of the capital city Chișinău's Christmas tree at the end of November or very beginning of December, when other than Christmas, some locals celebrate Winter solstice, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. The Summer holiday season traditionally starts in May with celebrations of anniversary of most important localities and culminates in the end of August with the celebrations of the Independence Day and the National Language Day.

National holidays

These holidays are designated by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, in accordance with the legislation of the country.IT
DateOfficial nameRemarks
1 JanuaryNew Year's DayCelebrates beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. Festivities include counting down to midnight on the preceding night, New Year's Eve. Traditional beginning of holiday season.
7-8 JanuaryOrthodox Christmas
8 MarchInternational Women's Day
April/MayOrthodox Easter
April/MayEaster of Blajini
1 MayLabour Day
9 MayVictory DayIt commemorates Victory in Europe Day.
1 JuneChildren's DayIt commemorates the Children's Day.
27 AugustIndependence DayIt commemorates the founding of the Declaration of Independence of Moldova.
31 AugustNational Language DayIt commemorates the national language of Moldova, the Romanian language.
25 DecemberChristmas Day

Other observances

In addition to the holidays, mentioned above, the following days are observed:
DateOfficial nameNotes
15 FebruaryAfghan War Veterans DayIt commemorates the end of the Soviet–Afghan War.
27 AprilFlag DayIt commemorates the adoption of the Flag of Moldova.
10 JuneBorder Guards DayIt commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Border Police.
23 JuneSovereignty DayIt commemorates the founding of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Moldova.
29 JulyConstitution DayIt commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of Moldova.
24 AugustLiberation DayIt celebrates the end of the Second Jassy–Kishinev offensive. It is also celebrated in neighboring Romania as the Liberation from Fascist Occupation Day.
3 SeptemberNational Army DayIt commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Armed Forces.
8 OctoberNational Wine DayIt commemorates the production of Moldovan wine.
18 DecemberPolice DayIt commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Police Forces

Local holidays

In addition to the national holidays, cities, communes and cantonal authorities observe the following holidays:
DateOfficial nameRemarks
22 MayBălți DayPublic holiday just for Bălți
28 JuneGagauzia Liberation DayPublic holiday just for Gagauzia.
14 OctoberCapital's DayPublic holiday just for Chișinău.
21 NovemberCahul DayPublic holiday just for Cahul.