| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2025-01-09 | Vodoun Festival | National |
| 2025-01-10 | Vodoun Festival | National |
| 2025-03-30 | Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | National |
| 2025-04-21 | Easter Monday | National |
| 2025-05-01 | Labor Day | National |
| 2025-05-29 | Ascension Day | National |
| 2025-06-06 | Eid al-Adha (estimated) | National |
| 2025-06-09 | Pentecost Monday | National |
| 2025-08-01 | National Day | National |
| 2025-08-15 | Assumption Day | National |
| 2025-09-04 | Prophet's Birthday (estimated) | National |
| 2025-11-01 | All Saints' Day | National |
| 2025-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
How many public holidays does Benin have in 2025?
Benin has 14 public holidays in 2025: 14 national holidays. The dates run from 1 January 2025 to 25 December 2025, and no public holiday falls in February, July, October. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Benin's public holiday count compares.
Long weekends in Benin 2025
Benin's public holidays create 5 long weekends in 2025 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Thu 9 - Sun 12 January: Vodoun Festival (4-day weekend, Thursday 9 January to Sunday 12 January).
- Sat 19 - Mon 21 April: Easter Monday (3-day weekend, Saturday 19 April to Monday 21 April).
- Fri 6 - Mon 9 June: Eid al-Adha (estimated) (4-day weekend, Friday 6 June to Monday 9 June).
- Fri 1 - Sun 3 August: National Day (3-day weekend, Friday 1 August to Sunday 3 August).
- Fri 15 - Sun 17 August: Assumption Day (3-day weekend, Friday 15 August to Sunday 17 August).
Observed and substitute holidays in Benin 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 Benin 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 Benin: is your date a holiday in 2025?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Benin 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 Benin.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Benin (2025)
Our Benin 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.
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.
Ascension Day
Ascension Day commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven, held on the fortieth day of Easter, always a Thursday. It is a public holiday in many European countries including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Because it is tied to Easter, the date falls between 30 April and 3 June. In several countries it also serves as a traditional day for outdoor excursions.