| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-07 | Christmas Day | National |
| 2025-01-19 | Epiphany | National |
| 2025-03-02 | Adwa Victory Day | National |
| 2025-03-30 | Eid al-Fitr | National |
| 2025-04-18 | Good Friday | National |
| 2025-04-20 | Easter Sunday | National |
| 2025-05-01 | International Workers' Day | National |
| 2025-05-05 | Ethiopian Patriots' Victory Day | National |
| 2025-05-28 | Downfall of the Dergue Regime Day | National |
| 2025-06-06 | Eid al-Adha | National |
| 2025-09-05 | Prophet's Birthday | National |
| 2025-09-11 | Ethiopian New Year | National |
| 2025-09-27 | Finding of True Cross | National |
How many public holidays does Ethiopia have in 2025?
Ethiopia has 13 public holidays in 2025: 13 national holidays. The dates run from 7 January 2025 to 27 September 2025, and no public holiday falls in February, July, August, October, November, December. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Ethiopia's public holiday count compares.
Long weekends in Ethiopia 2025
Ethiopia's public holidays create 4 long weekends in 2025 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Fri 18 - Sun 20 April: Good Friday (3-day weekend, Friday 18 April to Sunday 20 April).
- Sat 3 - Mon 5 May: Ethiopian Patriots' Victory Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 3 May to Monday 5 May).
- Fri 6 - Sun 8 June: Eid al-Adha (3-day weekend, Friday 6 June to Sunday 8 June).
- Fri 5 - Sun 7 September: Prophet's Birthday (3-day weekend, Friday 5 September to Sunday 7 September).
Observed and substitute holidays in Ethiopia 2025
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.
In 2025 no public holiday in Ethiopia is moved to a nearby weekday, so every holiday in the table above is observed on the date shown.
Regional variations are common; see public holidays across Africa for the wider picture.
Public holidays in Ethiopia: is your date a holiday in 2025?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Ethiopia in 2025. 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, 7 January 2025 is Christmas Day, a public holiday in Ethiopia.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Ethiopia (2025)
Our Ethiopia public holidays guide explains the background of each holiday and how the dates are set.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day on 25 December is the Christian feast of the Nativity of Jesus and one of the most widely observed public holidays in the world. It is a legal holiday in most nations with Christian majorities or heritage, and a cultural holiday in many others. Customs include family gatherings, gift giving, special meals and decorated trees. Countries following the Julian or Oriental Orthodox calendars often celebrate on 7 January instead.
Epiphany
Epiphany on 6 January concludes the Twelve Days of Christmas and celebrates the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the visit of the Magi. It is a public holiday in much of Europe and Latin America, where in Spanish speaking countries it is associated with the Three Kings and the giving of gifts to children. In churches following the Julian calendar the feast falls later in January.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is the festival breaking the fast of Ramadan, observed on the first day of Shawwal. It is one of the two major Islamic festivals and a public holiday throughout the Muslim world. The celebration opens with a special congregational prayer, followed by visits to family and neighbours, shared meals and giving to charity. Where the date has been confirmed by moon sighting, it appears without the estimated qualifier on published calendars.
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 Sunday
Easter Sunday is the central feast of the Christian year, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus three days after the crucifixion. In many countries it is a public holiday, though in others the legal holiday falls on the preceding Friday or the following Monday. The date is movable, set by the Council of Nicaea as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the March equinox, so it ranges from 22 March to 25 April.