| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2025-02-18 | Independence Day | National |
| 2025-03-27 | Laylat al-Qadr | National |
| 2025-03-30 | Eid al-Fitr | National |
| 2025-03-31 | Eid al-Fitr | National |
| 2025-04-18 | Good Friday | National |
| 2025-04-21 | Easter Monday | National |
| 2025-05-01 | Labor Day | National |
| 2025-05-25 | Africa Liberation Day | National |
| 2025-05-26 | Africa Liberation Day (observed) | Substitute |
| 2025-06-06 | Eid al-Adha | National |
| 2025-06-07 | Eid al-Adha | National |
| 2025-06-09 | Eid al-Adha (observed) | Substitute |
| 2025-07-05 | Ashura | National |
| 2025-07-07 | Ashura (observed) | Substitute |
| 2025-07-22 | July 22 Revolution Day | National |
| 2025-08-15 | Assumption Day | National |
| 2025-09-04 | Prophet's Birthday (estimated) | National |
| 2025-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
| 2025-12-26 | Boxing Day | National |
How many public holidays does Gambia have in 2025?
Gambia has 20 public holidays in 2025: 17 national holidays, 3 substitute days. The dates run from 1 January 2025 to 26 December 2025, and no public holiday falls in October, November. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Gambia's public holiday count compares.
Long weekends in Gambia 2025
Gambia's public holidays create 7 long weekends in 2025 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Sat 29 - Mon 31 March: Eid al-Fitr (3-day weekend, Saturday 29 March to Monday 31 March).
- Fri 18 - Mon 21 April: Good Friday (4-day weekend, Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April).
- Sat 24 - Mon 26 May: Africa Liberation Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 24 May to Monday 26 May).
- Fri 6 - Mon 9 June: Eid al-Adha (4-day weekend, Friday 6 June to Monday 9 June).
- Sat 5 - Mon 7 July: Ashura (3-day weekend, Saturday 5 July to Monday 7 July).
- Fri 15 - Sun 17 August: Assumption Day (3-day weekend, Friday 15 August to Sunday 17 August).
- Thu 25 - Sun 28 December: Christmas Day (4-day weekend, Thursday 25 December to Sunday 28 December).
Observed and substitute holidays in Gambia 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.
- 26 May 2025 (Monday) - given as the day off for Africa Liberation Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
- 9 June 2025 (Monday) - given as the day off for Eid al-Adha (observed), which falls on a weekend.
- 7 July 2025 (Monday) - given as the day off for Ashura (observed), which falls on a weekend.
Regional variations are common; see public holidays across Africa for the wider picture.
Public holidays in Gambia: is your date a holiday in 2025?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Gambia 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, 1 January 2025 is New Year's Day, a public holiday in Gambia.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Gambia (2025)
Our Gambia 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.
Independence Day
Independence Day marks the anniversary of a nation's formal separation from another state, or of the founding moment of its sovereignty. Because it commemorates a specific historical event, the date differs from country to country and the name often includes the year. Typical observances include flag raising, military parades, speeches by heads of state, and public concerts. It is frequently the most prominent national holiday on the calendar.
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 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.