Western Province Day in Solomon Islands

Observed annually on December 7th, Western Province Day is a holiday that celebrates the establishment of the local Provincial Government for the Western Province. The Western Province is the largest of the nine Solomon Islands provinces and is known for its beautiful snorkeling, coral reefs, ecotourism, and even WWII wrecks.

This area is considered to be the Solomon Islands’ tourism hub and offers the most hotels, dive shops, restaurants, and boat tours. Because this day is a public holiday in the area, most schools and businesses are closed. It’s also a day off for some people, although some places like hotels and restaurants tend to be busy on this day, so those employees will likely have to work.

Facts About The Solomon Islands

The following facts about the Solomon Islands are very interesting, and we think they’re a good read for anyone wishing to celebrate Western Province Day.

  • The Solomon Islands are composed of over 900 islands.
  • The name “Solomon Islands” was chosen by Spaniard Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira in 1568.
  • As of 2020, the Solomon Islands had a population of 686,878 people.
  • The official language of the islands is English. They are also home to 74 local languages.
  • Mount Popomanaseu is the highest peak in the country, standing 7,661 feet above sea level.

Observing Western Province Day

Since many people have the day off for this holiday, they will spend time at the beach or scuba diving. There are also special activities and events that the general public can attend in observance of this day. On social media, the hashtag #WesternProvinceDay is often used to spread the word about this holiday to people not living or working in the Solomon Islands.

Where is it celebrated?
Solomon Islands (Local holiday)
When is it?
This year (2024)
December 7 Saturday
Next year (2025)
December 7 Sunday
Last year (2023)
December 7 Thursday