Public Holidays in Burundi
Statutory public holidays in Burundi, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Burundi at a glance
Burundi’s public holidays mark independence in July and the unity and reconciliation commemorations, alongside Catholic feast days.
Several dates move with Easter, and the calendar reflects the country’s strong Catholic tradition.
Burundi public holidays 2026
Burundi has 15 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 |
| Unity Day | Feb 5Thu | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Commemoration of the Assassination of President Cyprien Ntaryamira | Apr 6Mon | National |
| International Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Ascension Day | May 14Thu | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| National Day of Patriotism and Commemoration of the Death of President Pierre Nkurunziza | Jun 8Mon | National |
| Independence Day | Jul 1Wed | National |
| Assumption Day | Aug 15Sat | National |
| Commemoration of the Assassination of National Hero, Prince Louis Rwagasore | Oct 13Tue | National |
| Commemoration of the Assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye | Oct 21Wed | National |
Showing 12 of 15 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Burundi
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Burundi.
Gitega
The political capital in the central highlands, with a national museum.
Bujumbura
The economic capital on Lake Tanganyika, with beaches and a lakeside market.
Ngozi
A highland city and a centre of coffee growing in the north.
Muyinga
A city near the Tanzanian border with a market and hillside farms.
Rutana
A city in the southeast near the Nyakazu fault and the Karera falls.
Top attractions in Burundi
The places that draw most visitors to Burundi.
Lake Tanganyika
One of the deepest lakes on earth, with sandy beaches and dugout canoes.
Karera Falls
A tiered waterfall and forest reserve near Rutana in the southeast.
Rusizi National Park
A river delta of hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds near the DRC border.
Gishora Drum Sanctuary
The site of the royal drums and the traditional drumming ceremonies.
Source of the Nile
A pyramid marking one claimed southernmost source of the Nile.
Ruvubu National Park
A river valley park of forest and savanna in the northeast.
Festivals, food and getting around Burundi
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
New Year
Falls on Jan 1
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🎉
Unity Day
Falls on Feb 5
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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
Eid ul Fitr
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
President Ntaryamira Day
Falls on Apr 6
Food & drink
Getting around
Road transport is limited and conditions are difficult; check current official guidance before travel.
Travelling around Burundi’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Burundi 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
Burundi'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.
Burundi public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Burundi have?
Burundi has 15 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 Burundi is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Burundi'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, Burundi typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Burundi?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Burundi?
Calendars are published for 2027, 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Burundi
School term dates in Burundi
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.