Public Holidays in Benin 2026
National, religious and Vodun public holidays for 2026
Benin’s national calendar combines civic holidays, Christian feasts, Islamic festivals and the country’s distinctive Vodun public holidays. The government has expanded the annual Vodun celebration into a multi-day national event centred on Ouidah.
Benin Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Jan 8 | Thursday | Vodun Days public holiday |
| Jan 9 | Friday | Vodun Festival public holiday |
| Mar 20 | Friday | Korité / Eid al-Fitr Moon |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day |
| May 14 | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| May 25 | Monday | Whit Monday |
| May 27 | Wednesday | Tabaski / Eid al-Adha Moon |
| Aug 1 | Saturday | Independence Day |
| Aug 15 | Saturday | Assumption Day |
| Aug 26 | Wednesday | Maouloud / Prophet Birthday * |
| Nov 1 | Sunday | All Saints' Day |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
* Maouloud is flagged because published 2026 calendars differ by one day. Moon identifies other Islamic dates that follow official lunar-calendar confirmation.
Vodun Days and a Multi-Faith Calendar 2026
Vodun is part of Benin’s national cultural identity. Recent legislation and government announcements provide public holidays around the annual Vodun Days celebrations, alongside Christian and Muslim religious holidays.
Holiday Rules in Benin
Fixed civic and Christian holidays follow the statutory calendar. Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar and can shift after official confirmation. Government decisions can also define special public holidays around major national cultural events.
Benin Holiday Calendar: What to Know
- Independence Day is observed on 1 August.
- Vodun Days include nationally recognised public holidays in January.
- Korité and Tabaski follow the Islamic lunar calendar.
- Christian holidays include Easter Monday, Ascension, Whit Monday and Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Benin Independence Day?
Independence Day is observed on 1 August.
Are Vodun Days public holidays?
Yes. Benin has designated public holidays around the annual Vodun Days celebrations.
Are Korité and Tabaski dates fixed?
No. They follow the Islamic lunar calendar and are confirmed closer to the date.
Why is a 2026 Maouloud date marked provisional?
Published calendars differ by a day, so the page flags the date for official confirmation rather than presenting a disputed estimate as certain.
Sources & methodology
View sources used for this page
Official 2026 nationwide paid-holiday declarations and religious-date notices.
Independent calendar cross-check used for date, weekday and observed-day review. Government notices and statutory rules take precedence where they differ.
Source hierarchy: government, statutory or institutional material is the primary reference. Timeanddate is retained only as an independent cross-check; later official declarations take precedence.