Christmas and New Year 2026–27 in Fiji bring a four-day Christmas weekend, from Friday 25 to Monday 28 December, and New Year celebrations that can run for weeks. It is also the busiest time to travel home, so families coming to Suva and Nausori should book flights and accommodation early.
This guide covers the public holidays, how Fiji celebrates, the weather, family day trips near Suva, and how to fit the whole family under one roof.
Public holidays for the festive season
Diwali: Monday 9 November 2026 (Fijivillage)
Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026
Boxing Day: observed on Monday 28 December 2026, because 26 December falls on a Saturday (Fiji Times)
New Year's Day: expected on Friday 1 January 2027, once the 2027 holidays are gazetted
How Fiji celebrates Christmas
Christmas often starts with an early-morning church service full of hymns and carols. Families gather, many travelling home from other parts of Fiji, and a lovo is put down: food wrapped and cooked on hot stones in an earth oven for about two hours (FBC News). Sharing food with neighbours and relatives matters more than gifts, and some families wear matching outfits (Coconet).
A lovo being prepared. Photo: "Lovo" by Jaejay77, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
New Year: Na Vakatawase
New Year begins with a midnight church service, then water-splashing, bands banging on tins and bamboo cannons (Coconet). In some areas celebrations go on for a week or even a month (Wikipedia). At New Year 2026 there were midnight fireworks over Suva, including in Nakasi, and on New Year's Day families headed to parks, rivers and beaches (Fiji Times).
Weather and cyclone season
December in Suva: average highs of about 29°C and lows of 22°C, with around 226 mm of rain over 17 wet days. The sea is about 27°C (Weather2Travel).
January: about 30°C by day and 23°C at night, and wetter, with around 308 mm of rain.
Cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April, with peak activity usually in January and February (Fijivillage). Follow the Fiji Meteorological Service during your stay.
Plan around the holiday rush
Book early. December and January have historically been Fiji's peak travel months (Fijivillage), and inter-island ferries ran at 80–90% capacity over Christmas 2025 (Fiji Sun).
Shop before the long weekend. Suva Market is usually open Monday to Friday 6 am to 6 pm and Saturday 6 am to 4:30 pm (Fiji Traveller). Holiday hours vary, so check Suva City Council notices.
Expect busy roads on Christmas Eve and around New Year as families travel.
Family day trips near Suva and Nausori
Colo-i-Suva Forest Park: rainforest walks, waterfalls and swimming pools, open 8 am to 4 pm daily including public holidays, about 20 minutes from Suva. Bring food, as there are no shops (Tourism Fiji).
Suva: Albert Park, Thurston Gardens and the Fiji Museum, and the foreshore walk along Queen Elizabeth Drive (Wikipedia).
Pacific Harbour: less than an hour's drive from Suva, for beaches, surfing and diving (FHTA).
A waterfall at Colo-i-Suva Forest Park. Photo: "Colo-i-Suva big waterfall" by Tucoxn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Bringing the family together at the Garden Flat
The Garden Flat at SPACES Fiji is a self-contained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment at 11 Buli Road, off Valili Road, in Nakasi, Nausori, with its own private entrance on its own level.
Sleeps up to 6, with a master bedroom and en-suite
A full kitchen and dining table for Christmas lunch at home
A spacious living room with a 65" smart TV and air-conditioning in every room
Washing machine and dryer, and parking for up to 5 vehicles for visiting relatives
Self check-in from 3:00 pm, check-out by 10:00 am
The living room at the Garden Flat, with space for the whole family. Photo: SPACES Fiji.
Book direct for our best rate, or book the Garden Flat on Airbnb. December dates go quickly: email stay@spacesfiji.com or WhatsApp +679 970 9310.
Flying home? See our guides to coming home to Fiji and staying near Nausori Airport.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boxing Day a public holiday in Fiji in 2026?
Yes. Because 26 December 2026 is a Saturday, Boxing Day is observed on Monday 28 December, giving a four-day weekend from 25 to 28 December.
Is it cyclone season at Christmas in Fiji?
Yes. Cyclone season runs from November to April, with peak activity usually in January and February. Follow the Fiji Meteorological Service for updates.
What is the weather like in Suva in December?
Warm and humid, with highs around 29°C and frequent rain showers.
Where can a family of six stay near Suva for Christmas?
The Garden Flat in Nakasi sleeps up to 6, with three bedrooms, a full kitchen and parking for up to 5 cars.
Photo credits
Lovo: "Lovo" by Jaejay77, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Resized.
Colo-i-Suva waterfall: "Colo-i-Suva big waterfall" by Tucoxn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Resized.
Garden Flat photos: SPACES Fiji.
Holiday dates, opening hours and weather are from the sources linked, checked November 2026. Confirm details before you travel.
