Emancipation Day 2023, 2024 and 2025 in Tonga
Every 4 June is Emancipation Day in Tonga to commemorate the date in 1862 when serfdom was abolished by Tonga’s first Christian king, George Tupuo I.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 Jun | Sun | Emancipation Day |
| 5 Jun | Mon | Emancipation Day Holiday | |
| 2024 | 3 Jun | Mon | Emancipation Day Holiday |
| 2025 | 2 Jun | Mon | Emancipation Day Holiday |
| 2026 | 8 Jun | Mon | Emancipation Day Holiday |
| Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. | |||
It was on 4 June, 1862, that the island of Vavau in present day Tonga abolished “serfdom”. This is much akin to the abolish of slavery in other parts of the world, and spelled the end of virtual ownership of commoners by chiefs.
Emancipation Day also comes at the end of the three day long Haapai Festival in the Haapai Island Group, between Tongatapu and Vavau. Haapai is a very friendly, colourful, and captivating celebration, and Emancipation Day caps off the whole event with a fitting culmination.
Previous Years
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 6 Jun | Mon | Emancipation Day Holiday |
| 2021 | 7 Jun | Mon | Emancipation Day Holiday |
| 2020 | 8 Jun | Mon | Emancipation Day Holiday |
| 2019 | 3 Jun | Mon | Emancipation Day Holiday |
| 2018 | 4 Jun | Mon | Emancipation Day |
| 2017 | 4 Jun | Sun | Emancipation Day |
| 5 Jun | Mon | Emancipation Day Holiday |