Public Holidays in Cabo Verde
Statutory public holidays in Cabo Verde, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Cabo Verde at a glance
Cabo Verde’s public holidays mark independence on 5 July and Democracy Day on 13 January, alongside Catholic feast days and local municipal festivals.
Each island celebrates its own municipal day, so the calendar varies depending on where you are.
Cabo Verde public holidays 2026
Cabo Verde has 12 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 |
| Democracy and Freedom Day | Jan 13Tue | National |
| National Heroes Day | Jan 20Tue | National |
| Ash Wednesday | Feb 18Wed | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5Sun | National |
| Worker's Day | May 1Fri | National |
| International Children's Day | Jun 1Mon | National |
| National Independence Day | Jul 5Sun | National |
| Assumption Day | Aug 15Sat | National |
| All Saints' Day | Nov 1Sun | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
Showing 12 of 12 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Cabo Verde
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Cabo Verde.
Praia
A capital on Santiago with a plateau government quarter and a lively market.
Mindelo
The cultural capital on Sao Vicente, with a bayfront and a Carnival tradition.
Santa Maria
A resort town on Sal with long beaches and a kitesurfing scene.
Assomada
A market town in the interior of Santiago with a strong trading culture.
Porto Novo
A port town of the greenest island, with terraced valleys behind it.
Top attractions in Cabo Verde
The places that draw most visitors to Cabo Verde.
Santo Antao Trails
Terraced mountain trails through the greenest island's steep valleys.
Sal Beaches
Wind-blown white sand and year-round kitesurfing on Sal and Boa Vista.
Fogo Volcano
An active cone inside a caldera, with vineyards growing on the slopes.
Cidade Velha
The first European colonial town in the tropics, with a fortress above the sea.
Pedra de Lume
A flooded volcanic crater where salt pans float bathers in mineral water.
Paul Valley
A green sugarcane valley carved into the cliffs of Santo Antao.
Festivals, food and getting around Cabo Verde
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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Freedom and Democracy Day
Falls on Jan 13
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National Heroes' Day
Falls on Jan 20
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Ash Wednesday
Falls on Feb 18
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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Holy Thursday
Falls on Apr 2
Food & drink
Getting around
Ferries and small planes link the islands; on the bigger islands aluguer minibuses serve most routes.
Travelling around Cabo Verde’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Cabo Verde 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
Cabo Verde'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.
Cabo Verde public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Cabo Verde have?
Cabo Verde has 12 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 Cabo Verde is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Cabo Verde'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, Cabo Verde typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Cabo Verde?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Cabo Verde?
Calendars are published for 2027, 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Cabo Verde
School term dates in Cabo Verde
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.