At the start of February, government employees in Bangladesh are set to enjoy an unusually long stretch of holidays, thanks to the strategic alignment of religious observances, weekly breaks, and upcoming national elections. According to the Islamic Foundation, the holy night of Shab-e-Barat will be observed on the night of Tuesday, 3 February 2026. In recognition of this occasion, the government has declared Wednesday, 4 February a public holiday through an executive order.
By combining this single-day holiday with the weekend, civil servants can enjoy a four-day continuous break. The schedule of this extended leave is as follows:
| Date | Day | Type of Holiday | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 February | Wednesday | Executive Order Holiday | On the occasion of Shab-e-Barat |
| 5 February | Thursday | Regular Working Day | – |
| 6 February | Friday | Weekly Holiday | Friday |
| 7 February | Saturday | Weekly Holiday | Saturday |
In addition to this, the month of February will also witness another four-day holiday period in connection with the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The government has announced general holidays on 11 and 12 February, which, together with the weekend of 13 and 14 February, ensures a continuous four-day break. According to Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor, “A general holiday has been declared on 11 February to facilitate election preparations. Industrial workers will also enjoy a holiday on 10 February, and 12 February has been previously declared a holiday in observance of election day.”
| Date | Day | Type of Holiday | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 February | Tuesday | General Holiday | Election preparations |
| 12 February | Wednesday | General Holiday | Election Day |
| 13 February | Thursday | Weekly Holiday | Friday |
| 14 February | Friday | Weekly Holiday | Saturday |
According to the 2026 government holiday calendar issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, there are 14 general holidays and 14 executive order holidays throughout the year, of which nine fall on Fridays or Saturdays.
Moreover, religious optional holidays have been set aside for different communities:
Muslims: 5 days
Hindus: 9 days
Christians: 8 days
Buddhists: 7 days
Minority indigenous groups: 2 days
This arrangement enables government employees to make the most of February, combining official holidays with weekends and optional religious leaves. The extended breaks provide an ideal opportunity for rest, family gatherings, and personal pursuits, making the month a particularly favourable one for civil servants to recharge before returning to work.