| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2027-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2027-01-02 | New Year's Day Holiday | National |
| 2027-03-26 | Good Friday | National |
| 2027-03-27 | Holy Saturday | National |
| 2027-03-29 | Easter Monday | National |
| 2027-05-01 | Labour Day | National |
| 2027-05-03 | Labour Day Holiday | National |
| 2027-05-06 | Ascension Day | National |
| 2027-07-01 | Sir Seretse Khama Day | National |
| 2027-07-19 | President's Day | National |
| 2027-07-20 | President's Day Holiday | National |
| 2027-09-30 | Botswana Day | National |
| 2027-10-01 | Botswana Day Holiday | National |
| 2027-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
| 2027-12-26 | Boxing Day | National |
| 2027-12-27 | Boxing Day (observed) | Substitute |
How many public holidays does Botswana have in 2027?
Botswana has 16 public holidays in 2027: 15 national holidays, 1 substitute day. The dates run from 1 January 2027 to 27 December 2027, and no public holiday falls in February, April, June, August, November. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Botswana's public holiday count compares.
For the wider picture, browse the 2027 calendar across 191 countries.
Long weekends in Botswana 2027
Botswana's public holidays create 6 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 1 - Mon 3 May: Labour Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 1 May to Monday 3 May).
- Sat 17 - Tue 20 July: President's Day (4-day weekend, Saturday 17 July to Tuesday 20 July).
- Thu 30 September - Sun 3 October: Botswana Day (4-day weekend, Thursday 30 September to Sunday 3 October).
- 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 Botswana 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.
- 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 Botswana: is your date a holiday in 2027?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Botswana 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 Botswana.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Botswana (2027)
Our Botswana 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.
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.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, recalling the day Jesus lay in the tomb. It is a public holiday in several countries, particularly in Europe and Latin America, though in many places it is not a separate holiday because it falls on a weekend. The principal liturgy is the Easter Vigil held after nightfall, during which the Paschal candle is lit and the resurrection is first proclaimed.
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.
Labour Day
Labour Day honours workers and the trade union movement. The spelling varies by country, but the observance is essentially the same as Labor Day. Most nations hold it on 1 May as International Workers' Day, commemorating the Haymarket affair of 1886 and the campaign for an eight hour day. New Zealand and several Australian states observe it in October, and the United States and Canada in September.