Maldives Holidays and Festivals 2018 – National Day in the Maldives

Ahmed Mahin Fayaz from Male, Maldives, Hyderabad’s Sky Lantern Festival, CC BY 2.0

The National Day is one of the biggest celebrations that take place across the Maldives islands and will feature many parades and a string of high-profile events. The biggest parade, featuring the nation’s military, can be seen in the capital, Male and offers visitors a unique insight into the country. Those staying at Maldives villas in island resorts in the North Male Atoll such as Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, can easily visit Male which is only about a 20 minute speedboat ride away. The purpose of the National Day is for the Maldives to commemorate the defeat of the Portuguese by Mohammed Thakurufaanu and his comrades. This special day is celebrated on the first day of the third month in the Islamic Calendar and falls usually sometime within February or March.