Public Holidays in Benin
Statutory public holidays in Benin, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Benin at a glance
Benin’s public holidays follow the Islamic and Christian calendars alongside national commemorations, with Independence Day on 1 August the national date.
Vodun Days on 10 January is a distinctive national holiday honouring the country’s traditional religion.
Benin public holidays 2026
Benin has 14 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Vodoun Festival | Jan 8Thu | National |
| Vodoun Festival | Jan 9Fri | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Ascension Day | May 14Thu | National |
| Pentecost Monday | May 25Mon | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| National Day | Aug 1Sat | National |
| Assumption Day | Aug 15Sat | National |
| Prophet's Birthday (estimated) | Aug 25Tue | National |
Showing 12 of 14 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Benin
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Benin.
Porto-Novo
The official capital, a lagoon city of colonial buildings and Yoruba heritage.
Cotonou
The economic capital and main port, with a vast market and a lagoon edge.
Abomey
The historic capital of the Fon kingdom, home of the Royal Palaces.
Ouidah
A town central to the slave trade and to Vodun, with a python temple.
Parakou
A crossroads city in the north, with a market and mosques.
Top attractions in Benin
The places that draw most visitors to Benin.
Royal Palaces of Abomey
Earthen palaces of the Fon kings, decorated with narrative bas-reliefs.
Ganvie
A stilt village of thatched houses built in a lagoon, reached by pirogue.
Pendjari National Park
A savanna park of elephants, lions and buffalo in the far northwest.
Ouidah Slave Route
A route of memorials, a sacred forest and the Door of No Return.
Somba Villages
Two-storey fortified mud houses of the Tammari people in the Atacora.
Python Temple
A Vodun temple in Ouidah where sacred pythons are kept and honoured.
Festivals, food and getting around Benin
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
-
🎉
New Year
Falls on Jan 1
-
🎉
Vodoun Festival
Falls on Jan 10
-
🎉
Day of Remembrance
Falls on Jan 16
-
🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
-
🎉
People's Sovereignty Day
Falls on Feb 28
-
🎉
Women's Day
Falls on Mar 8
Food & drink
Getting around
Motorcycle taxis dominate the cities; the northern parks are a long drive on rough roads.
Travelling around Benin’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Benin tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Benin's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Benin public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Benin have?
Benin has 14 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Benin is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Benin's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Benin typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Benin?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Benin?
Calendars are published for 2027, 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Benin
School term dates in Benin
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.