National Holidays in Georgia Country

In this blog post, we explore these and mark your diary for your first or next trip to visit georgia country, be sure this information comes in handy!

How many public holidays are there in Georgia?

Georgia has 17 official public holidays, with some religious and others secular. These days, many private sector businesses (including banks) and all government institutions do not work, albeit restaurants, café-bars, and nightclubs remain open.

• 1st and 2nd of January - New Year.

• 7th of January – Christmas.

• 19th of January - Epiphany.

• 3rd of March – Mother's Day

• 8th of March – International Women's Day.

• 9th of April – Day of National Unity.

• 9th of May – Day of Victory over Fascism.

• 12th of May – Saint Andrew the First-Called Day.

• 26th of May - Independence Day.

• 28th of August – Saint Mary's Day.

• 14th of October – Day of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (also known as Svetitskhovloba or Mtskhetoba).

• 23rd of November – St. George’s Day.

In addition, Orthodox Easter weekend represents one of the most important holidays of the year in Georgia, with Good Friday and Easter Monday both official holidays.

New Year

New Year's Day in Georgia, like most of the world, is a massive celebration, with family gatherings, bulging feasts, abundant fireworks, and revelry until sunrise.

Georgia’s “Day of Destiny”

In Georgia, Bedoba (“Day of Destiny”) is celebrated on January 2. According to this unique tradition, whatever you do and whoever you meet on this day will have a significant bearing on the rest of the year.

Orthodox Christmas in Georgia

Orthodox Christmas is perhaps the main holiday in Georgia, celebrated on January 7. On this day, Georgians attend church,, gather with families, and eat a festive meal.

Orthodox Epiphany

On January 19, Orthodox Georgians celebrate Natlisgheba, the feast of Epiphany, marking the baptism of Jesus Christ.

Mother's Day

In Georgia, Mother's Day is celebrated on March 3 where shows of love, appreciation, and gratitude for mothers and maternal figures abound, in honor of their unwavering devotion, support, and sacrifice.

Women's Day

International Women's Day is held on March 8 every year, and unlike some countries, it is treated as a national holiday in Georgia. During this day, several activities and events are routinely held to showcase women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements, aiming to promote and enhance gender equality.

Day of National Unity

April 9, the Day of National Unity, is commemorated to remember the events of 1989 when Soviet troops mercilessly shot dead peaceful protesters in Georgia Tbilisi.

Orthodox Easter

In Georgia, Orthodox Easter is the main religious event of the year, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, with Good Friday and Easter Monday both important holidays. The dates of these holidays are determined by the Orthodox Christian calendar, always in either April or May.

Day of Victory over Fascism

On May 9, Georgia along with other post-Soviet states, marks the  Day of Victory over Fascism, when World War II in Europe ended with the defeat of Nazi Germany. Here, people pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the war.

St. Andrew the First-Called Day

May 12 is dedicated to Saint Andrew, who is thought to have preached Christianity in Georgia in the 1st century AD.

Independence Day

On May 26, Georgians celebrate their independence, as on this day in 1918 the Act of Independence was adopted, which established the Democratic Republic of Georgia in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution.

St. Mary’s Day

Mariamoba, or St. Mary's Day, is one of the twelve great feasts in the Orthodox Christian calendar and is celebrated in Georgia on August 28. This holiday honors the Dormition (or Assumption) of the Virgin Mary, marking her death and ascension into heaven. 

Day of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

October 14 in Georgia is the Day of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (also known as Svetitskhovloba or Mtskhetoba). This significant religious and cultural holiday is dedicated to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, located in the historic town of Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. The cathedral itself is a masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

St. George’s Day

Giorgoba or St. George’s Day is traditionally celebrated on November 23 to honor Saint George, the patron saint of the Georgian people.

Ultimately, Georgia's wide range of national holidays reflects the country's rich cultural heritage, deep-rooted religious traditions, and turbulent history. If visiting Georgia on any of these days of celebration or commemoration, you’ll experience either the warmth and hospitality of the Georgian people or at least learn more about the country's fascinating past.

To learn more about Georgia religions,  travel information, explore a map of Georgia sights, or find out more about Georgia’s airports, be sure to click on the various links provided in this blog post!