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Saint Olav's Day
Faroe Islands

Saint Olav’s Day 2025, 2026 and 2027 in Faroe Islands

Saint Olav’s Day is celebrated every 29 July in the Faroe Islands. This is generally considered to be the national day of Faroe Islands, although the holiday is also celebrated in Norway.

YearDateDayHoliday
202528 JulMonSt Olav's Eve *
29 JulTueSt Olav's Day
202628 JulTueSt Olav's Eve *
29 JulWedSt Olav's Day
202728 JulWedSt Olav's Eve *
29 JulThuSt Olav's Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

Note: St Olav’s Eve is a half day public holiday.

The “Saint Olav” of Saint Olav’s Day refers to King Olav II of Norway. He reigned in the early 1000’s and was the main leader who helped “Christianise” Viking-era Norway.

After King Olav was killed in the field of battle, defending Norway against a invading Danish army, he was quickly canonised as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. This was not done for his prowess in war, however, but because of his spreading of the Christian religion in Norway. For that, in fact, he was dubbed “Patron Saint of Norway”.

On 28 July, festivities begin on Saint Olav’s Eve, and they can continue for several days. A parade takes place on 29 July in Torshavn, along with many other events throughout the day. This is also the day when the Faroe Islands parliament officially begins its next session after the summer holidays.

On and around Saint Olav’s Day, there will be folk singing and dancing, concerts, and other cultural and patriotic events. Saint Olav’s Day is the highlight of the summer in the very cold land of Faroe Islands, and people look forward to it all year long. It’s celebrated with more gusto in Faroe Islands than even in Norway.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHoliday
202428 JulSunSt Olav's Eve *
29 JulMonSt Olav's Day
202328 JulFriSt Olav's Eve *
29 JulSatSt Olav's Day