Holidays in the British Virgin Islands are predominantly religious holidays, with a number of additional national holidays. The most important holiday in the Territory is the August festival, which is celebrated on the three days from (and including) the first Monday in August to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the British Virgin Islands.

Where fixed date holidays (such as Christmas Day and Boxing Day) fall on a weekend, the holiday is normally taken in lieu on the next succeeding working day. However, in 2010 when Christmas Day fell on a Saturday and Boxing Day fell on a Sunday, only one day off was given in lieu. An official explanation offered by the Attorney General's department was that because those two days are both "common law holidays" and not statutory holidays, both of them were deferred to the same date – the next Monday. The position taken by the Attorney General was somewhat surprising, as it differed with the common law position expressed to be taken in the United Kingdom.English common law applies in the British Virgin Islands pursuant to the Common Law (Declaration of Application) Act, 1705

Date Name Remarks 1 January New Year's Day 7 March Lavity Stoutt's Birthday A day of recognition for the longest serving Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands Good Friday Friday before EasterEaster is observed in the Territory according to Western Christian traditions, ie. (in summary), on the first Sunday following the first ecclesiastical full moon that occurs on or after 21 March (the day of the ecclesiastical vernal equinox). Easter Monday Monday after Easter Whit Monday Monday falling 50 days after Easter Sovereign's Birthday Normally observed on the second Friday in June; called Festival Friday until 2020 1 July Virgin Islands DayExists since 1956, first as Colony Day, 1978 renamed to Territory Day, since 2021 current name Emancipation Monday First Monday in August; celebrating emancipation in the Territory; called Festival Monday until 2020 Emancipation Tuesdaycalled Festival Tuesday until 2020 Emancipation Wednesdaycalled Festival Wednesday until 2020Heroes and Foreparents DayObserved on the third Monday in October; should originally be named Heroes and Foreparents Day; replacesThe 1949 Great March and Restoration DayObserved on the fourth Monday in November; first observed in 2021 25 December Christmas Day 26 December Boxing Day

See also List of holidays by country

Footnotes

External links BVI Government official list of holidays