National days · Azerbaijan
The country's national holidays, state days and days of remembrance. Click a day to read more.
January
- 1Jan
HolidayNew Year's DayThe first day of the new year — a public holiday by law in all eight Turkic states; in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan 1–2 January are days off. - 20Jan
Anniversary · 199020 January, Day of National MourningOn the night of 19–20 January 1990 Soviet troops entered Baku and more than a hundred civilians were killed. The day is marked every year at the Alley of Martyrs.
February
March
- 8Mar
HolidayInternational Women's DayA day honouring women — a public holiday by law in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. - 21Mar
HolidayNowruzThe festival of spring and nature's awakening. Celebrated across the Turkic world with bonfires, sprouted wheat and festive tables; on UNESCO's intangible heritage list since 2009. - 31Mar
Anniversary · 1918Day of the Genocide of AzerbaijanisIn March and April 1918 thousands of Azerbaijanis were killed in Baku, Shamakhi, Guba and other regions. The day of remembrance was established in 1998.
May
- 9May
Holiday · 1945Victory DayThe day of victory over fascism in the Second World War in 1945; in Azerbaijan it is called Victory over Fascism Day. Tens of thousands of Turkic sons fell in that war. - 28May
State day · 1918Independence DayOn 28 May 1918 the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was proclaimed in Tiflis — the first democratic republic of the Muslim East.
June
- 15Jun
Holiday · 1993National Salvation DayIn June 1993 the country faced the threat of civil conflict. On 15 June Heydar Aliyev was elected Chairman of the Supreme Council; the day is an official holiday. - 26Jun
Holiday · 1918Armed Forces DayOn 26 June 1918 the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic created its first national military unit, the Separate Azerbaijani Corps.
July
August
September
- 18Sep
Holiday · 1885National Music DayBirthday of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, composer of the first opera in the Muslim East. National Music Day has been marked in his honour since 1995. - 27Sep
Anniversary · 2020Remembrance DayThe day honours the martyrs of the 44-day Patriotic War, which began on 27 September 2020.
October
- 3Oct
Historical event · 2009Founding of the Organization of Turkic StatesOn 3 October 2009 the Nakhchivan Agreement founded the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States, renamed the Organization of Turkic States in 2021. - 18Oct
State day · 1991Independence Restoration DayOn 18 October 1991 the Constitutional Act on the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted.
November
- 8Nov
Holiday · 2020Victory DayOn 8 November 2020 the city of Shusha was liberated — the decisive victory of the 44-day Patriotic War. - 9Nov
Holiday · 1918National Flag DayOn 9 November 1918 the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic adopted the blue, red and green flag with a crescent and eight-pointed star. - 12Nov
Holiday · 1995Constitution DayOn 12 November 1995 the first Constitution of independent Azerbaijan was adopted by referendum. - 17Nov
Holiday · 1988National Revival DayOn 17 November 1988 a mass national movement began in Baku's central square, today's Freedom Square.
December
Holidays with changing dates
These holidays follow the Islamic (lunar) calendar or the church calendar, so they fall on a different date each year. The exact dates are announced by the government annually.
- ·
Holiday10 Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar — the feast of the Hajj pilgrimage; moves about 11 days earlier each yearEid al-AdhaThe great feast of sacrifice and charity — a public holiday by law in Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan (Gurban Baýramy), Kazakhstan (Kurban Ait), Kyrgyzstan (Kurman Ait), Uzbekistan (Qurbon Hayiti) and the TRNC. - ·
Holiday1 Shawwal in the Islamic calendar — the end of the Ramadan fast; moves about 11 days earlier each yearEid al-FitrThe festival marking the end of the Ramadan fast — a public holiday by law in Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan (Oraza Baýramy), Kyrgyzstan (Orozo Ait), Uzbekistan (Ramazon Hayiti) and the TRNC.