Public Holidays in The Gambia 2026
15 listed public holiday dates in 2026
The Gambia's calendar combines national, Christian and Muslim public holidays. Presidential policy provides two-day public holidays for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha and a Monday observance when a public holiday falls on a weekend.
The Gambia Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Feb 18 | Wednesday | Independence Day |
| Mar 19 | Thursday | Eid al-Fitr holiday Moon |
| Mar 20 | Friday | Eid al-Fitr holiday Moon |
| Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day |
| May 25 | Monday | Africa Day |
| May 27 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha Moon |
| May 28 | Thursday | Eid al-Adha holiday Government |
| Jun 25 | Thursday | Yawm al-Ashura Moon |
| Aug 15 | Saturday | Assumption Day |
| Aug 17 | Monday | Assumption DayObserved |
| Aug 25 | Tuesday | Prophet's Birthday Moon |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
* 2027 Islamic dates and multi-day holiday declarations are provisional until confirmed by the Office of the President.
Presidential Holiday Declarations 2026
Islamic holidays are frequently confirmed through declarations by the Office of the President after consultation with religious authorities. In 2026, Eid al-Fitr was declared as a two-day nationwide holiday and Yawm al-Ashura was separately declared a public holiday.
Holiday Rules in The Gambia
Muslim feast dates remain subject to moon sighting and presidential confirmation. The two-day Eid policy and weekend-to-Monday observance rule are reflected in the calendar; future observed dates are marked provisional where the 2027 declaration has not yet been issued.
The Gambia Holiday Calendar: What to Know
- Independence Day is 18 February.
- Africa Day is 25 May.
- Eid dates are confirmed by official declaration.
- The Gambia remains on UTC+0 year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is The Gambia Independence Day?
It is observed on 18 February.
Why was Eid al-Fitr two days in 2026?
The Office of the President declared 19 and 20 March as public holidays, with the exact religious celebration subject to moon sighting.
Why are 2027 Islamic dates provisional?
The Gregorian date and the number of public-holiday days require official religious and presidential confirmation.
Is Assumption Day a public holiday?
Yes. The President declared 15 August 2026 a nationwide public holiday, reflecting its recognized status.
Sources & methodology
View sources used for this page
Official presidential holiday declarations, including lunar-date confirmation 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.