Mauritius celebrates 15 public holidays in 2026, each rooted in a different religion or cultural tradition. The festivals in Mauritius range from solemn barefoot pilgrimages to vibrant street processions. Some draw hundreds of thousands of people. Others are quiet family gatherings. Together, these celebrations reflect the island's multicultural heritage and remain one of the best ways to experience local traditions.
In this guide, you will read more about the confirmed Mauritius festival calendar for 2026, major festivals and what they involve, celebrations that are not public holidays but are widely observed, practical tips for attending, and frequently asked questions.
Mauritius Festival Calendar 2026: All The Official Dates
The Mauritius festival calendar for 2026 has 15 public holidays spread across the year. Religions and communities represented include Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Chinese traditions, as well as national/civil observances.
A few things worth noting for 2026:
- 1 February is a double observance, both Thaipoosam Cavadee and the Abolition of Slavery fall on the same day.
- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (15 August) is a public holiday in 2026. All Saints' Day moves to 2027.
- Eid-ul-Fitr date is subject to official moon sighting confirmation.
Festival | 2026 Date | Community | Public Holiday |
New Year's Day | 1 January | All | Yes |
New Year Holiday | 2 January | All | Yes |
Abolition of Slavery | 1 February | National/Civil | Yes |
Thaipoosam Cavadee | 1 February | Hindu (Tamil) | Yes |
Maha Shivaratree | 15 February | Hindu | Yes |
Chinese Spring Festival | 17 February | Chinese | Yes |
Independence Day and Republic Day | 12 March | National | Yes |
Ugaadi | 19 March | Hindu (Telugu) | Yes |
Eid-ul-Fitr | 21 March* | Muslim | Yes |
Labour Day | 1 May | National/Civil | Yes |
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 15 August | Christian | Yes |
Ganesh Chaturthi | 16 September | Hindu | Yes |
Arrival of Indentured Labourers | 2 November | National/Civil | Yes |
Diwali | 8 November | Hindu | Yes |
Christmas | 25 December | Christian | Yes |
*The date of Eid-ul-Fitr may shift by a day depending on the official moon sighting in Mauritius.
Major Festivals in Mauritius 2026: Religion, Ritual, and Date
The festivals in Mauritius span Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Chinese traditions. Each entry below includes a confirmed 2026 date, what the festival is about, key rituals, and the best spot on the island to witness it.
Thaipoosam Cavadee Festival in Mauritius: 1 February 2026
What it is: A Tamil Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati.
Key rituals:
- Devotees fast for 10 days before the festival.
- They carry a cavadee, an arched wooden or bamboo frame decorated with flowers and peacock feathers, with pots of sacred milk hanging from it.
- Skin is pierced with needles and skewers as an act of devotion.
- Processions are done barefoot, all the way to the temple.
The Cavadee festival in Mauritius draws both locals and visitors to witness one of the island's most intense displays of faith. For 2026, the festival is observed on Sunday, 1 February, the same day as the Abolition of Slavery commemoration. The two events are separate, but the island will see two important observances taking place on the same day.
Best place to witness: Triolet – well-decorated streets and long, well-attended processions.
Maha Shivaratri Festival in Mauritius: 15 February 2026
What it is: One of the largest Hindu pilgrimages outside India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Translated as the "Great Night of Shiva."
Key rituals:
- Between 250,000 and 400,000 devotees walk from across the island to the sacred lake at Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao).
- Pilgrims carry kanwars, wooden arches covered with flowers and mirrors.
- Holy water is collected at the lake and poured over a Shiva statuette.
- Most walk barefoot, dressed in white.
The Maha Shivaratri festival in Mauritius sees the island's roads filled with pilgrims for several days leading up to the main date. Among the major festivals in Mauritius, this one is the largest in scale and participation. The 2026 celebration takes place on Sunday, 15 February.
Best place to witness: Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) and the pilgrimage roads leading to it.
Chinese Spring Festival in Mauritius: 17 February 2026
What it is: A celebration of the Chinese lunar new year, carried forward by Sino-Mauritian ancestors who arrived on the island in the 19th century.
Key rituals:
- Lion and dragon dances through the streets.
- Firecrackers, red lanterns, and ancestral offerings
- Traditional food stalls and live performances in Chinatown, Port Louis
The Chinese Spring Festival in Mauritius is recognised as an official public holiday in Mauritius. For 2026, the festival is observed on Tuesday, 17 February.
Best place to witness: Chinatown, Port Louis.
Holi Festival in Mauritius: 3–4 March 2026 (Not a Public Holiday)
What it is: The Hindu Festival of Colours, marking the victory of good over evil and the start of spring.
Key rituals:
- Bonfires lit on the eve of Holi (Holika Dahan)
- Coloured powder and water were thrown freely on the main day.
- Traditional sweets are prepared and shared among family and friends.
The Holi festival in Mauritius runs from 3 to 4 March 2026. Holika Dahan takes place on 3 March, followed by the main colour celebrations on 4 March. It is not an official public holiday, but celebrations happen across the entire island. Holi is one of the island's most colourful celebrations, with parks, beaches, and open spaces filled with colour.
Best places to witness: Open grounds, public parks, and beaches island-wide.
Eid-ul-Fitr: 21 March 2026 (Subject to Moon Sighting)
What it is: Marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and prayer.
Key rituals:
- Special morning prayers at the mosque
- Families wear new clothes and share festive meals.
- Neighbours and friends exchange "Eid Mubarak" greetings.
- Donations made to those in need
Among the festivals in Mauritius that follow a lunar calendar, Eid-ul-Fitr is the most significant for the Muslim community. The expected date is 21 March 2026, subject to official confirmation of moon sighting.
Best places to witness: Jummah Mosque and the surrounding areas in Port Louis, especially during morning prayers and community gatherings.
Ganesh Chaturthi Mauritius: 16 September 2026
What it is: A Hindu festival honouring Lord Ganesh, the god of knowledge, wisdom, and prosperity.
Key rituals:
- Clay statues of Ganesh are crafted and worshipped at home and in temples.
- Processions carry the idols to rivers, lakes, or the sea for immersion.
- Prayers and bhajans (devotional songs) throughout the day
Among the Hindu festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi in Mauritius is one of the most visually striking. The 2026 celebration takes place on Wednesday, 16 September.
Best place to witness: Riverbanks and coastal areas across the island.
Diwali in Mauritius: 8 November 2026
What it is: The Festival of Lights, celebrated by Hindus across the island.
Key rituals:
- Diyas (oil lamps) and candles are placed outside homes and along garden paths.
- Colourful rangoli patterns drawn on doorsteps
- Traditional sweets are prepared and exchanged with neighbours.
- Firecrackers lit after dark
Since Hinduism is the largest religion in Mauritius, Diwali is celebrated by communities across the island. Diwali in Mauritius on 8 November is one of the final major entries on the Mauritius festival calendar for 2026 and one of the most widely celebrated.
Best place to witness: Island-wide, particularly in Hindu residential neighbourhoods.
What Are The Festivals in Mauritius That Are Not Public Holidays?
Not every celebration gets a formal day off. While the Chinese Spring Festival in Mauritius is officially recognised as a public holiday, several equally lively events sit outside that list. These festivals in Mauritius still draw large crowds and are worth building your calendar around.
The Holi festival in Mauritius is the best-known example, widely celebrated across the island despite lacking official holiday status.
Other notable ones include:
- Holi Festival in Mauritius (3–4 March 2026): Coloured powder and water play across parks, beaches, and open grounds. Wear old clothes you do not mind staining.
- Reggae Donn Sa (Early May): A local music festival celebrating reggae and Mauritian culture. Casual, open-air, and community-led.
- Dragon Boat Festival (Late May): Colourful boat races on the water, organised by the Chinese community in honour of the poet Qu Yuan.
- International Kreol Festival (December): A four-day event celebrating Creole identity through music, food, dance, and visual art. One of the most community-driven events on the island.
How Does the Mauritius Festival Calendar Shape Your Visit? (Month by Month)
The Mauritius festival calendar is active all year. Depending on when you go, you will land in a completely different cultural moment. Here is a simple month-by-month breakdown of the festivals in Mauritius worth planning around.
Month | Key Festival(s) | What to Expect |
January | New Year's Day, New Year Holiday | Beach parties, firecrackers, family gatherings |
February | Thaipoosam Cavadee, Maha Shivaratree, Chinese Spring Festival | Busiest festival window of the year, secure your accommodation early |
March | Holi, Independence Day and Republic Day, Eid-ul-Fitr* | Colour festivals, national parades, community prayers |
May | Reggae Donn Sa, Dragon Boat Festival | Music and water races, relaxed community events |
August | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Christian observance, quieter mid-year period |
September | Ganesh Chaturthi | Processions and idol immersions at rivers and coastlines |
November | Diwali | Island-wide lights, diyas, sweets, and firecrackers |
December | Christmas, International Kreol Festival | Family celebrations and four days of Creole culture |
*Eid-ul-Fitr subject to moon sighting confirmation
A few things to note:
- Jan–Feb is the most festival-dense period on the calendar. Cavadee, Maha Shivaratree, and the Chinese Spring Festival fall within three weeks of each other. Accommodation fills up fast during this window.
- March brings three celebrations close together: Holi, Independence Day, and Eid-ul-Fitr.
- November and December give the second half of the year a strong finish with Diwali, Christmas, and the Kreol Festival.
Practical Tips for Attending Festivals in Mauritius
Attending the festivals in Mauritius as a visitor is welcome and easy. A few practical things will help you have a smooth experience.
- Shops, banks, and government offices close on public holidays, so plan any purchases, cash withdrawals, or transfers the day before.
- Reserve tickets early for cultural performances and organised events.
- Dress modestly at temples and mosques. Cover your shoulders and knees. This applies to all religious sites, regardless of the festival.
- Ask before photographing. During religious rituals, always get permission before pointing a camera at participants.
- Several 2026 festivals fall on Sundays. Under the Employment Rights Act, the following Monday is generally the compensatory day off for employees. Celebrations take place as normal on Sunday.
- Book accommodation early. For the Cavadee festival in Mauritius, Maha Shivaratree in February, and Diwali in November, book at least 2–3 months in advance. Hotels in these windows fill up quickly.
- Wear comfortable footwear for procession-heavy events. For the Maha Shivaratri festival in Mauritius, carry water and wear light clothing if you plan to walk to Grand Bassin.
Conclusion
The festivals in Mauritius in 2026 cover Hindu, Chinese, Muslim, and Christian traditions, spread across all four quarters of the year.
The Mauritius festival calendar is at its busiest between January and March, with Cavadee, Maha Shivaratree, and the Chinese Spring Festival falling within three weeks of each other. The second half of the year has its own rhythm. Diwali in November and Christmas in December bring the year to a full, celebratory close.
No matter when you visit, there is a good chance a festival is either just around the corner or already underway.
If you want to experience an authentic Mauritius festival, this is the event worth planning your holiday around. Browse Holiday Tribe's Mauritius holiday packages to find the right dates and stay for your plans.
