February 10, 2024, another public holiday.
This is the 5th public holiday since the beginning of the year. And if you didn’t know, Mauritius is well endowed when it comes to public holidays.
In contrast to the 11 days of vacations traditionally found in the French calendar, there are a total of 15 in the Mauritian calendar.
And that’s not counting days of severe weather or class III or class IV cyclone warnings. In effect, these are days off, at least for the private sector.
Mauritius calendar vs. French calendar
The two countries share Christian celebrations such as Christmas and Ascension Day, but diverge on specifically religious feasts, such as Thaipoosam Cavadee in Mauritius and Assumption in France.
Public holidays in Mauritius in 2024 🇲🇺
- New Year (January 1 + January 2): Like many countries, Mauritius starts the year with festivities marking the passage into the New Year.
- Thaipoosam Cavadee (January 25): A Hindu celebration dedicated to the god Muruga, marked by processions and rituals.
- Abolition of Slavery (February 1 ): the Creole community celebrates this holiday commemorating the end of slavery in Mauritius. The British abolished slavery in 1835. This followed the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833.
- Fête du Printemps (February 10) – Chinese New Year: to my astonishment when I arrived, I didn’t know that Chinese New Year was celebrated here and that it was a public holiday. Did you know that there is a Chinese community in Mauritius, and a well-integrated one at that?
- Maha Shivaratri (March 21): A sacred day for Hindus, dedicated to the god Shiva. Devotees observe fasts and participate in prayers.
- Independence Day (March 12): Commemorates Mauritius’ independence in 1968. Parades, concerts and fireworks are organized.
- Ougaadi (April 9): Ougadi (or Ugadi) is celebrated by the entire Hindu community of Mauritius, but particularly by the Telegous. This is the New Year, when we get rid of old things and make good resolutions. It’s a time to clean up and buy new clothes.
- Eid-Ul-Fitr** (April 10 ): the breaking of the fast at the end of Ramadan. After 30 days of fasting, Eid-ul-Fitr marks a day of celebration.
- ** The exact date is subject to confirmation, as its celebration depends on the visibility of the moon.
- Labor Day (May 1 ): International celebration in honor of workers.
- Assumption (August 15): Christian celebration marking the Virgin Mary’s ascent to heaven.
- Ganesh Chaturthi (September 8): Hindu celebration dedicated to the god Ganesha, with processions and rituals.
- Diwali (October 31): The festival of lights, celebrated by the Hindu community with lights, fireworks and sweets.
- Arrival of the Hired Labourers (November 2)
- Christmas (December 25): Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Mauritius reflects its cultural diversity through Hindu, Muslim and Christian celebrations, while France has a predominantly Christian cultural base with secular national holidays.
French public holidays 🇫🇷
11 public holidays for France in general.
Public holidays in France include national, religious and civil celebrations, such as May 1 (Labor Day), July 14 (Bastille Day), and December 25 (Christmas).
Google Calendar tip
To make sure you don’t miss a thing, I’m sharing with you a very useful tip if you use Google Calendar.
For my part, I’ve added the public holidays calendar for Mauritius. The days are automatically added to my classic calendar. It’s very practical, so I know the dates and can organize my professional schedule more easily.
Find all the instructions on this link and see the screenshots below.
➡️ Public holidays offer a fascinating insight into the traditions and cultural diversity of each country. Whether in Mauritius or France, these special days are a time for reflection, celebration and family togetherness.
➡️ If you’re planning a vacation in Mauritius, take a close look at the Mauritian calendar, as you may have the opportunity to attend local shows and ceremonies, such as the dragon dance during the Chinese New Year in Port Louis!
Read my article on the best season to visit Mauritius.
Happy Year of the Dragon! Kung Shee Fat Choy! 🎉
