New Year 2025 holidays: Kuwait declares 4-day weekend

Kuwait’s cabinet has officially announced a four-day weekend to mark the New Year 2025, providing a festive break for government employees and institutions. The holiday will span from Wednesday, January 1, through Saturday, January 4, 2025, with regular work resuming on Sunday, January 5, 2025.

During its weekly meeting held at Bayan Palace, the cabinet confirmed that Thursday, January 2 has been designated as an additional holiday. This decision effectively creates a long weekend by bridging the gap between New Year’s Day and the weekend. The move is aimed at providing government employees and residents the chance to celebrate the New Year with an extended break.

According to the Kuwait News Agency, while most government institutions will observe the four-day weekend, agencies with specialised functions have been granted the flexibility to determine their own work schedules. This ensures that essential public services and operations, such as healthcare, security, and emergency response, remain unaffected and continue seamlessly throughout the holiday period.

The announcement reflects Kuwait’s commitment to prioritising the well-being and work-life balance of its citizens and residents. By allowing key government bodies to operate based on their specific needs, the cabinet ensures public interest is upheld while giving the majority of the workforce the opportunity to enjoy an extended period of rest and celebration.

The four-day weekend is expected to bring a festive spirit across the nation, encouraging families and individuals to spend quality time together or engage in leisure activities. The decision also aligns with the country’s cultural practice of granting extended holidays for major occasions, reinforcing the importance of family values and communal harmony.

Residents and citizens can now plan their New Year’s celebrations, travel, or relaxation with clarity, as the four-day holiday offers ample time for both festivities and personal pursuits. The move has been widely welcomed, reflecting the government’s proactive approach to creating a balance between national traditions and public service continuity.