Public Holidays in Malawi 2026
12 listed public holiday dates in 2026
Malawi's national holidays combine Christian dates with independence history and commemorations of John Chilembwe and Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
Malawi Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Jan 15 | Thursday | John Chilembwe Day |
| Mar 3 | Tuesday | Martyrs' Day |
| Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day |
| May 14 | Thursday | Kamuzu Day |
| Jul 6 | Monday | Independence Day |
| Oct 15 | Thursday | Mother's Day |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Saturday | Boxing Day |
| Dec 28 | Monday | Boxing Day holiday Observed |
Observed-day treatment follows the published national calendar and may be clarified by government notice.
Independence and National Leaders 2026
Independence Day is 6 July. John Chilembwe Day on 15 January and Kamuzu Day on 14 May commemorate important figures in Malawi's political history.
Holiday Rules in Malawi
Fixed holidays remain on their calendar dates. When certain holidays fall on Sunday, the following weekday is commonly observed.
Malawi Holiday Calendar: What to Know
- Independence Day is 6 July.
- John Chilembwe Day is 15 January.
- Kamuzu Day is 14 May.
- Driving is on the left.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Malawi Independence Day?
It is observed on 6 July.
Who is commemorated on John Chilembwe Day?
The holiday honors anti-colonial leader John Chilembwe.
When is Kamuzu Day?
It is observed on 14 May.
Why is there an observed Boxing Day?
When the statutory date falls on a weekend, published calendars can provide an observed weekday.
Sources & methodology
View sources used for this page
Consolidated legal text of the Public Holidays Act defining annual holidays and weekend-substitution rules.
Independent calendar cross-check used for date, weekday and observed-day review. Government notices and statutory rules take precedence where they differ.
Source hierarchy: statutory, government-hosted or institutional legal material is used first. Timeanddate is retained only as an independent cross-check; later official declarations take precedence.