Azerbaijan Independence Day & National Holidays Guide
Public holidays, what closes, and how each one might affect your trip
Novruz — late March
Azerbaijan's most significant cultural celebration, marking the spring equinox with citywide bonfires, public festivities, and several days of public holiday. Expect Baku to feel genuinely festive but also busier and pricier around this week — see our dedicated Novruz guide for full detail.
Republic Day — May 28
Commemorates the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, the first secular democratic republic in the Muslim world. Marked with public events but generally low impact on tourist activity.
Independence Day — October 18
Marks Azerbaijan's 1991 independence from the Soviet Union. A public holiday with some government offices closed, though most tourist sites and restaurants operate normally.
Religious holidays — Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha
Both are public holidays with dates shifting yearly according to the Islamic lunar calendar. Government offices and some businesses close for these periods, though Baku's tourist-facing restaurants and hotels generally continue operating.
What actually closes during holidays
Government offices, banks, and some local businesses close on public holidays. Major hotels, tourist attractions, and restaurants in Baku, Sheki, and Gabala generally remain open, though it's worth confirming specific attraction hours around Novruz and the two Eids specifically.