Public Holidays in Eritrea 2026
17 listed public holiday dates in 2026
Eritrea's holiday calendar combines Orthodox Christian, Islamic and national liberation commemorations. The religious mix means several dates move from year to year.
Eritrea Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Jan 7 | Wednesday | Orthodox Christmas |
| Jan 19 | Monday | Timket |
| Feb 10 | Tuesday | Fenkil Day |
| Mar 8 | Sunday | International Women's Day |
| Mar 20 | Friday | Eid al-Fitr Moon |
| Apr 10 | Friday | Orthodox Good Friday |
| Apr 12 | Sunday | Orthodox Easter |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day |
| May 24 | Sunday | Independence Day |
| May 27 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha Moon |
| Jun 20 | Saturday | Martyrs' Day |
| Aug 25 | Tuesday | Prophet's Birthday Moon |
| Sep 1 | Tuesday | Revolution Day |
| Sep 11 | Friday | Geez New Year |
| Sep 27 | Sunday | Meskel |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
* 2027 Islamic dates are provisional. Eritrean calendar observances have been cross-checked against published 2027 calendar references.
Liberation History and Religious Calendars 2026
Independence Day on 24 May and Martyrs' Day on 20 June are central national dates. Fenkil Day and Revolution Day also commemorate milestones in Eritrea's modern history.
Holiday Rules in Eritrea
Orthodox feast dates follow the Eritrean and Orthodox calendars, while Eid and the Prophet's Birthday follow the Hijri calendar. Islamic dates require official confirmation.
Eritrea Holiday Calendar: What to Know
- Independence Day is 24 May.
- Fenkil Day is 10 February.
- Meskel is observed on 27 September.
- Islamic dates may shift after moon-sighting confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Eritrea Independence Day?
It is observed on 24 May.
What is Fenkil Day?
It commemorates the Battle of Massawa and is observed on 10 February.
Why is Geez New Year on a different Gregorian date in 2027?
The Ethiopian and Eritrean calendar relationship with the Gregorian calendar causes the New Year date to shift in some years.
Why are Islamic holidays marked provisional in 2027?
They depend on the lunar calendar and official religious confirmation.
Sources & methodology
View sources used for this page
Official Eritrean diplomatic mission 2026 calendar identifying Eritrean national and religious holiday closures.
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 or diplomatic-institutional material is used first where available. Timeanddate is retained only as an independent cross-check; later official declarations take precedence.