Public Holidays in DR Congo
Statutory public holidays in DR Congo, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
DR Congo at a glance
The DR Congo’s public holidays centre on Independence Day on 30 June, alongside Catholic feast days and the commemorations of national figures.
Several dates move with Easter, and the country’s vast size means regional observances also matter.
DR Congo public holidays 2026
DR Congo has 13 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 |
| Martyrs' Day (observed) | Jan 3Sat | Substitute |
| Martyrs' Day | Jan 4Sun | National |
| National Hero Laurent Désiré Kabila Day | Jan 16Fri | National |
| National Hero Patrice Emery Lumumba Day | Jan 17Sat | National |
| Day of the Struggle of Simon Kimbangu and African Consciousness | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Revolution and Armed Forces Day (observed) | May 16Sat | Substitute |
| Revolution and Armed Forces Day | May 17Sun | National |
| Independence Day | Jun 30Tue | National |
| Congolese Genocide Memorial Day (observed); Parents' Day | Aug 1Sat | Substitute |
| Congolese Genocide Memorial Day | Aug 2Sun | National |
Showing 12 of 13 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in DR Congo
The urban centres that anchor most trips to DR Congo.
Kinshasa
A vast, fast-growing capital on the Congo river, opposite Brazzaville.
Lubumbashi
The copperbelt capital in the southeast, with mining and a university.
Goma
A lakeside city beneath the Nyiragongo volcano and the gateway to Virunga.
Kisangani
A city at the head of navigation on the Congo river, with waterfalls nearby.
Bukavu
A hillside city on Lake Kivu, close to Kahuzi-Biega's lowland gorillas.
Top attractions in DR Congo
The places that draw most visitors to DR Congo.
Virunga National Park
Mountain gorillas, an active lava lake and the Rwenzori range.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Lowland gorillas and a vast rainforest on the Albertine Rift.
Salonga National Park
The largest rainforest park in Africa, reachable only by river.
Nyiragongo Volcano
A crater with a churning lava lake, climbed as a two-day trek.
Garamba National Park
Savanna park of elephants, giraffe and the last wild northern white rhino hope.
Boyoma Falls
A series of cataracts where the Congo river turns northward.
Festivals, food and getting around DR Congo
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's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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Martyrs of Independence Day observed
Falls on Jan 3
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🎉
Martyrs of Independence Day
Falls on Jan 4
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🎉
Anniversary of President Laurent Kabila’s Assassination
Falls on Jan 16
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🎉
Anniversary of Prime Minister Patrice Emery Lumumba’s Assassination
Falls on Jan 17
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Valentine's Day
Falls on Feb 14
Food & drink
Getting around
The river is the highway; much of the east is insecure, and official guidance must be checked before travel.
Travelling around DR Congo’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in DR Congo 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
DR Congo'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.
DR Congo public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does DR Congo have?
DR Congo has 13 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 DR Congo is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are DR Congo'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, DR Congo typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in DR Congo?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for DR Congo?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Congo Democratic Republic Of The
School term dates in Congo Democratic Republic Of The
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.