Ascension Day in Vanuatu

A public holiday under Vanuatu law

Vanuatu’s Public Holidays Act names Ascension Day in its national schedule of public holidays. The Act allows the President, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, to declare additional public holidays. It does not give Ascension Day a fixed calendar date; its place in the schedule reflects the Christian festival’s relationship to Easter.[1][3]

The Act provides a substitute day when a listed public holiday falls on a Sunday: the following Monday becomes a public holiday. It does not set a substitute day for Ascension Day when it falls on another weekday. The dates in the calendar are Thursdays, consistent with the traditional timing of the feast.[1][3]

Meaning and timing

Ascension Day commemorates the Christian belief that Jesus was taken up into heaven after his resurrection. The Vatican’s account of the liturgical feast places it forty days after Easter Sunday and explains its connection to the disciples’ mission to bear witness. Because Easter’s date changes, Ascension Day moves through the calendar too.[3]

Work, shops and services

Under Vanuatu’s Employment Act, employees generally cannot be required to work on a public holiday unless they agree voluntarily. The Act makes exceptions for specified kinds of work, including passenger and goods transport, public utilities, hotels and restaurants, health care, broadcasting and animal husbandry. Employees working under those exceptions are entitled to an equivalent period of time off on another day.[2]

The Public Holidays Act does not automatically close every shop. It gives the President power to order stores, shops and other businesses to close on a public holiday, either across Vanuatu or in named places. The Act also lists exemptions for medicines, certain food sales before noon, and refreshments sold for consumption on the premises.[1]

Check directly with a particular bank, school, shop or transport service before making plans.[1][2]

Local observance

Ascension Day commemorates the Christian belief that Jesus was taken up into heaven after his resurrection. Local congregations can share details about their own services.[3]