Public Holidays in Gabon
Statutory public holidays in Gabon, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Gabon at a glance
Gabon’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 17 August and Renovation Day in March, alongside Christian feast days.
Several dates move with Easter, and the calendar reflects the country’s strong Catholic tradition.
Gabon public holidays 2026
Gabon has 16 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 |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5Sun | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Women's Rights Day | Apr 17Fri | National |
| Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Ascension Day | May 14Thu | National |
| Pentecost | May 24Sun | National |
| Pentecost Monday | May 25Mon | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| Assumption Day | Aug 15Sat | National |
| Independence Day | Aug 16Sun | National |
Showing 12 of 16 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Gabon
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Gabon.
Libreville
A coastal capital of boulevards, a seafront and a modern arts district.
Port-Gentil
The main port and oil city, on an island in a river delta.
Franceville
A city in the southeast, a rail and mining centre near the Congo border.
Oyem
A city in the northern rainforest close to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
Lambarene
A town on the Ogooue river with the Albert Schweitzer hospital.
Top attractions in Gabon
The places that draw most visitors to Gabon.
Loango National Park
Where forest meets the Atlantic, with surfing hippos and elephants on the beach.
Ivindo National Park
A rainforest park of the world's most studied forest plot and great waterfalls.
Lope National Park
A mosaic of rainforest and savanna with rock art and mandrills.
Sette Cama
A remote lagoon of mangroves, beaches and fishing lodges.
Pongara National Park
A coastal park across the estuary from the capital, with nesting turtles.
Mingouli Falls
Broad rapids on the Ngounie river in the southwest.
Festivals, food and getting around Gabon
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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🎉
Easter Sunday
Falls on Apr 5
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🎉
Easter Monday
Falls on Apr 6
Food & drink
Getting around
Roads are good by regional standards between cities; the parks are reached by boat, light aircraft or 4×4.
Travelling around Gabon’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Gabon 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
Gabon'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.
Gabon public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Gabon have?
Gabon has 16 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 Gabon is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Gabon'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, Gabon typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Gabon?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Gabon?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Gabon
School term dates in Gabon
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.