Public Holidays in Central African Republic
Statutory public holidays in Central African Republic, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Central African Republic at a glance
The Central African Republic’s public holidays mark independence in August alongside Christian feast days and the commemoration of national figures.
Several dates move with Easter, and the calendar reflects the country’s Christian majority.
Central African Republic public holidays 2026
Central African Republic 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 |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Barthélemy Boganda Day | Mar 29Sun | 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 |
| General Prayer Day | Jun 30Tue | National |
| Independence Day | Aug 13Thu | National |
| Assumption Day | Aug 15Sat | National |
| All Saints' Day | Nov 1Sun | National |
Showing 12 of 14 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Central African Republic
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Central African Republic.
Bangui
A capital on the Ubangi river, opposite the DRC, with a cathedral and markets.
Bimbo
A fast-growing city south of the capital with a market economy.
Berberati
A city near the Cameroon border, in a mining and forest region.
Bouar
A highland city of granite outcrops and a cooler climate.
Bambari
A mining town in the centre of the country on the Ouaka river.
Top attractions in Central African Republic
The places that draw most visitors to Central African Republic.
Dzanga-Sangha Reserve
A rainforest reserve of gorillas, elephants and Ba'Aka communities.
Manovo-Gounda St Floris
A vast savanna park in the north with rhino, elephant and wild dog.
Chutes de Boali
A wide waterfall on the Mbali river, a popular escape from the capital.
Bangui Cathedral
A red-brick cathedral at the centre of the capital.
Ubangi River
The great river forming the southern border, the country's main trade artery.
Bamingui-Bangoran National Park
A remote northern park of savanna and gallery forest.
Festivals, food and getting around Central African Republic
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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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
Eid al-Fitr
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
Commemoration of Boganda
Falls on Mar 29
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🎉
Easter Monday
Falls on Apr 6
Food & drink
Getting around
Travel is severely constrained by security conditions; consult official guidance before any journey.
Travelling around Central African Republic’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Central African Republic 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
Central African Republic'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.
Central African Republic public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Central African Republic have?
Central African Republic 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 Central African Republic is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Central African Republic'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, Central African Republic typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Central African Republic?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Central African Republic?
Calendars are published for 2027, 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Central African Republic
School term dates in Central African Republic
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.