This is probably the most celebrated event on the Kiribati social calendar that you don’t want to miss out on, celebrating the day the Gilbert Islands gained independence from Great Britain in July of 1979. Though the holiday officially takes place on July 12, the festivities last for several days, starting around the 9th. The capital South Tarawa sees most of the events in action, including the Kiribati Cultural Day, Traditional canoe races, Kiribati Traditional Dance Competition, Miss Kiribati Beauty pageant, Kiribati Idol, along with traditional wrestling and other sporting events.  You can always plan to combine your holiday to coincide with this major event.  Plan and book your Kiribati Independence Day holiday experience with Kiribati Holidays.

The Kiribati Sports Fishing Club (KSFC) holds a monthly game fishing tournament with weigh-ins at the Betio beach cafes to see the big catches. It is a good time to unwind, meet people and be entertained with the weigh in catches of the tournament. Learn more about the game fishing tournaments at Kiribati Sports Fishing Club. If you want to join on the fishing tournament action, you can also enquire with Lady Mary Fishing Tours & Boat Charters

Easter in Kiribati is one of the most important holidays and the most celebrated event across Kiribati nationwide particularly among the Christian Catholics and Protestants. The Christians would attend mass on Easter Saturday (evening) and Sunday whilst Easter Monday and Tuesday will be filled with gatherings and big feasts at respective parish maneaba (community hall or meeting house), including competitions among the Christians in folk music, dance and humour to celebrate Easter, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

WWII’s Battle of Tarawa and Battle of Makin commemoration both fall on the 20th November. Meanwhile, the Battle of Makin on Butaritari Island is postponed to every 21 November, to allow those attending the Battle of Tarawa event to also travel and attend the Battle of Makin commemoration on the 21^st November on Butaritari Island. Along with the families of war veterans in attendance; you too can be part of the commemoration ceremony to honor those who perished and liberated Kiribati during the Battle of Tarawa and Battle of Makin in 1943.  You can always plan your trip to attend the commemoration with the help of Kiribati Holidays or Mollys Tours.

Kiribati is the first country in the world to welcome in the New Year, albeit at the Line Islands, and events go off nationwide. All family homes, bars and hotels have something going on, along with celebrations at the Christian and local maneaba (meeting house).

Locals attend church followed by much eating, gift-giving and merriment, just like they do back home. In Kiribati, however, there’s also choir singing, dancing, canoe racing, and a myriad of other sports right up until New Year. Locals also go camping, go on weekend getaways and visit nearby islands.

A huge event in Kiribati due to its position in the world, this island nation is the first place to countdown the New Year. There are low-key parties on the beaches, while all bars and nightclubs put on special events.