| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2027-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2027-03-09 | Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | National |
| 2027-03-26 | Good Friday | National |
| 2027-03-29 | Easter Monday | National |
| 2027-05-01 | Labor Day | National |
| 2027-06-01 | Madaraka Day | National |
| 2027-10-10 | Mazingira Day | National |
| 2027-10-11 | Mazingira Day (observed) | Substitute |
| 2027-10-20 | Mashujaa Day | National |
| 2027-12-12 | Jamhuri Day | National |
| 2027-12-13 | Jamhuri Day (observed) | Substitute |
| 2027-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
| 2027-12-26 | Boxing Day | National |
| 2027-12-27 | Boxing Day (observed) | Substitute |
How many public holidays does Kenya have in 2027?
Kenya has 14 public holidays in 2027: 11 national holidays, 3 substitute days. The dates run from 1 January 2027 to 27 December 2027, and no public holiday falls in February, April, July, August, September, November. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Kenya's public holiday count compares.
For the wider picture, browse the 2027 calendar across 191 countries.
Long weekends in Kenya 2027
Kenya's public holidays create 5 long weekends in 2027 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Fri 1 - Sun 3 January: New Year's Day (3-day weekend, Friday 1 January to Sunday 3 January).
- Fri 26 - Mon 29 March: Good Friday (4-day weekend, Friday 26 March to Monday 29 March).
- Sat 9 - Mon 11 October: Mazingira Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 9 October to Monday 11 October).
- Sat 11 - Mon 13 December: Jamhuri Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 11 December to Monday 13 December).
- Sat 25 - Mon 27 December: Christmas Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 25 December to Monday 27 December).
The best breaks of the year are mapped in 2027 long weekends and bridge days.
Observed and substitute holidays in Kenya 2027
A substitute holiday is a day off moved to a nearby working weekday when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The legal date never changes - only the day most people actually get off.
- 11 October 2027 (Monday) - given as the day off for Mazingira Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
- 13 December 2027 (Monday) - given as the day off for Jamhuri Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
- 27 December 2027 (Monday) - given as the day off for Boxing Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
Regional variations are common; see public holidays across Africa for the wider picture.
Public holidays in Kenya: is your date a holiday in 2027?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Kenya in 2027. If the date you are checking appears there, it is a day off; if it does not, it is not a public holiday - however widely it may be marked.
For example, 1 January 2027 is New Year's Day, a public holiday in Kenya.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Kenya (2027)
Our Kenya public holidays guide explains the background of each holiday and how the dates are set.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day falls on 1 January and opens the Gregorian calendar year. Most countries mark it with a public holiday, and celebrations usually begin the night before with countdowns, fireworks and gatherings. The date was fixed in its current position by Julius Caesar's calendar reform, and later preserved by the Gregorian reform of 1582. traditions vary widely, from first-footing in Scotland to writing resolutions for the months ahead.
Eid al-Fitr (estimated)
Eid al-Fitr is the festival that ends Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and begins on the first day of Shawwal. It is a two or three day public holiday across much of the Muslim world. The date depends on the sighting of the new moon, so published calendars mark it as estimated until it is confirmed. Families gather for prayer, shared meals and charitable giving before the fast was broken each evening of Ramadan.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a public holiday in most countries with Christian traditions, and businesses, banks and schools often close. Observance is typically solemn, with church services, processions and in some places Passion plays. The date moves each year because Easter is calculated from the first full moon following the March equinox.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and forms the final day of the Easter octave in Western Christianity. It is a public holiday in many European, Commonwealth and Latin American countries, effectively extending the Easter weekend. Because it is tied to the movable date of Easter, it falls between late March and late April. Traditional customs include egg rolling, picnics and family outings.
Labor Day
Labor Day honours the achievements of workers and the labour movement. Most countries observe it on 1 May, known internationally as May Day or International Workers' Day, which grew out of the campaign for an eight hour working day. Others, including the United States and Canada, hold it on the first Monday of September. Typical events include trade union marches, rallies and public speeches on working conditions.