Cabinet Approves 2026 Public Holidays
The Office of the Deputy Governor has confirmed that Cabinet, acting under Section 5 of the Public Holidays Act (Cap 199), as amended, approved the official list of public holidays for 2026, including a one-off holiday on Tuesday 30 June for the 250th Anniversary of Freedom at Nottingham Estate, Long Look. The announcement, issued by Communications Officer Eusa Z. Adams, provides the full 2026 calendar and contact details for government enquiries and international media.
The Office of the Deputy Governor advises that Cabinet has approved the official list of public holidays for 2026, acting in accordance with Section 5 of the Public Holidays Act (Cap 199), as amended, the Office said in a press release attributed to Communications Officer Eusa Z. The approved 2026 public holidays are listed as follows: Wednesday 1st January – New Year’s Day Monday 9th March – The Anniversary of the Birth of Hamilton Lavity Stoutt (In lieu of Friday, 6th March) Friday 3rd April – Good Friday Monday 6th April – Easter Monday Monday 25th May – Whit Monday Friday 12th June – Sovereign’s Birthday Tuesday 30th June – Commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of Freedom at Nottingham Estate, Long Look Monday 6th July – Virgin Islands Day Monday 3rd August – Emancipation Monday Tuesday 4th August – Emancipation Tuesday Wednesday 5th August – Emancipation Wednesday Monday 19th October – Heroes and Foreparents Day Monday 23rd November – Commemoration of the Great March of 1949 and the Restoration of the Legislative Council Friday 25th December – Christmas Day Monday 28th December – Boxing Day (In lieu of Saturday 26th December) Notable in this calendar is the one-off public holiday on Tuesday 30 June to mark the 250th Anniversary of Freedom at Nottingham Estate, Long Look.
The Office of the Deputy Governor said the designation recognises a significant milestone in the Territory’s history and complements other long-standing observances such as the early-August Emancipation commemorations and the November remembrance of the Great March of 1949. The release reiterates standard in-lieu arrangements: the Anniversary of the Birth of Hamilton Lavity Stoutt will be observed on Monday 9 March in lieu of Friday 6 March, and Boxing Day will be observed on Monday 28 December in lieu of Saturday 26 December.
These adjustments follow established practice under the Public Holidays Act where observances fall on weekends or require rescheduling. The Office asked schools, public agencies and private-sector businesses to plan for closures and staffing around these dates. The earlier publication of the 2026 calendar is intended to give residents, employers and event planners time to prepare for statutory closures and commemorative events.
For official enquiries, the press release lists contacts in the Governor's Group. Adams can be reached at eadams@gov.vg or by telephone at 1-284-468-2219 / 3000. For international media enquiries, the Office directed requests to BVIGovernment@dgagroup.com. General government services and appointment bookings are available through the Government of the Virgin Islands one-stop line at (284) 468-3701, via WhatsApp at 1(284) 468-9760, or through the government’s virtual booking system.
The Office is located at 33 Admin Drive, Wickhams Cay 1, Tortola. The Office of the Deputy Governor’s announcement is the authoritative source for the 2026 public holiday schedule. Residents who require further clarification were encouraged to contact the Office through the channels provided in the press release.
Primary source: BVI Government