Kuwait will observe a public holiday on Thursday, August 27, 2026, for Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday, closing government offices and parts of the country’s financial sector ahead of the regular Friday-Saturday weekend.
For residents checking whether Kuwait is closed tomorrow, the key point is that government ministries and departments, the Central Bank of Kuwait and Boursa Kuwait will observe the August 27 holiday. Regular government work is scheduled to resume on Sunday, August 30.
The occasion, known as Mawlid Al Nabawi, marks the Prophet’s birthday for the Islamic year 1448 AH and is associated with the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar.
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Government offices: Closed
Central Bank of Kuwait: Closed
Boursa Kuwait: Market holiday
Government work resumes: Sunday, August 30
What is closed in Kuwait on August 27?
The Kuwait Cabinet confirmed Thursday, August 27, as an official holiday for ministries, government departments, public authorities and state institutions. Employees covered by the government decision are expected to return to work on Sunday, August 30.
The holiday was approved following a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah.
The Central Bank of Kuwait has also announced that it will be closed to the public on Thursday, August 27, for the occasion and will resume normal working hours on Sunday, August 30.
The Kuwait stock market is also affected. Boursa Kuwait’s official market holiday calendar lists Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday among the market holidays for 2026.
With the public holiday falling on Thursday and the regular Friday-Saturday weekend immediately following, many government employees will have three consecutive days away from normal duties.
Not every public service will necessarily follow identical operating hours. Government bodies providing essential or continuous services may use special schedules based on operational requirements and the public interest.
Residents who need urgent healthcare, document processing or other time-sensitive government services should check directly with the relevant authority before visiting during the holiday period.
Are private companies, banks and shops closed?
The government announcement clearly covers ministries, public authorities and other state institutions. Private-sector employees should check with their employer for the exact holiday arrangement that applies to their workplace rather than assuming every company follows the same government schedule.
Bank customers should also check with their individual bank before visiting a branch. While the Central Bank of Kuwait has confirmed its own closure, commercial banks may issue their own customer notices regarding branch timings, digital banking services and reopening schedules.
Supermarkets, malls, restaurants, hotels and other commercial businesses may also follow their own holiday operating hours. Many businesses may remain open, although individual opening and closing times can change during public holidays.
Airline operations are separate from government-office closures, so scheduled flights are not automatically cancelled because of the holiday. Travellers should check their flight status before heading to Kuwait International Airport.
Kuwait City’s regional air links remain important for holiday travellers. Swikblog previously reported on Emirates restoring Kuwait City as part of a wider 16-destination network update.
Passengers should also continue to monitor airline notices because regional airspace disruptions affected Kuwait Airways and other Middle East carriers earlier in 2026.
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Kuwait August 27 holiday FAQ
Is Thursday, August 27, 2026 a public holiday in Kuwait?
Yes. Kuwait has confirmed Thursday, August 27, as an official public holiday for Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday.
Are Kuwait government offices closed on August 27?
Yes. Ministries, government departments, public authorities and state institutions covered by the Cabinet decision will be closed.
Is the Central Bank of Kuwait closed on August 27?
Yes. The Central Bank of Kuwait has announced that it will be closed to the public on August 27 and will resume normal working hours on Sunday, August 30.
Is Boursa Kuwait closed on August 27?
Boursa Kuwait’s official market holiday calendar lists August 27 as a holiday for Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday.
Are private-sector offices closed?
Private-sector workers should check directly with their employer because operating arrangements may differ from the government-sector closure.
Are banks closed in Kuwait on August 27?
The Central Bank of Kuwait has confirmed its closure. Customers of commercial banks should check individual bank notices for branch-specific holiday timings.
Are malls, restaurants and supermarkets closed?
Not necessarily. Commercial businesses may set their own operating hours during the holiday.
When do Kuwait government offices reopen?
Regular government work is scheduled to resume on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Why does the Mawlid holiday date change every year?
Mawlid Al Nabawi follows the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is based on lunar months and is shorter than the Gregorian calendar. As a result, the observance moves through the Gregorian calendar from year to year.
For residents planning around the holiday, the main schedule is straightforward: Thursday, August 27, is the announced public-sector holiday, followed by the Friday-Saturday weekend, with normal government operations returning on Sunday, August 30.
This article was updated on August 26, 2026, with the latest information on the Central Bank of Kuwait, Boursa Kuwait and government holiday arrangements.















