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Gambia public holiday scenery, Africa
Africa
RegionAfrica
CapitalBanjul
CurrencyD GMD ยท Gambian dalasi
Time zoneUTC+0 ยท Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Public Holiday Calendar

Public Holidays in Gambia for 2027

Planning ahead? See all Gambia public holidays on one page, or choose another year above.

Holiday dates


Date Holiday Type
2027-01-01 New Year's Day National
2027-02-18 Independence Day National
2027-03-06 Laylat al-Qadr (estimated) National
2027-03-08 Laylat al-Qadr (observed, estimated) Substitute
2027-03-09 Eid al-Fitr (estimated) National
2027-03-10 Eid al-Fitr (estimated) National
2027-03-26 Good Friday National
2027-03-29 Easter Monday National
2027-05-01 Labor Day National
2027-05-03 Labor Day (observed) Substitute
2027-05-16 Eid al-Adha (estimated) National
2027-05-17 Eid al-Adha (estimated) National
2027-05-25 Africa Liberation Day National
2027-06-15 Ashura (estimated) National
2027-07-22 July 22 Revolution Day National
2027-08-14 Prophet's Birthday (estimated) National
2027-08-15 Assumption Day National
2027-08-16 Assumption Day (observed); Prophet's Birthday (observed, estimated) Substitute
2027-12-25 Christmas Day National
2027-12-26 Boxing Day National
2027-12-27 Boxing Day (observed) Substitute

How many public holidays does Gambia have in 2027?

Gambia has 21 public holidays in 2027: 17 national holidays, 4 substitute days. The dates run from 1 January 2027 to 27 December 2027, and no public holiday falls in April, September, October, November. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.

Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Gambia's public holiday count compares.

For the wider picture, browse the 2027 calendar across 191 countries.

Long weekends in Gambia 2027

Gambia's public holidays create 7 long weekends in 2027 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.

  • Fri 1 - Sun 3 January: New Year's Day (3-day weekend, Friday 1 January to Sunday 3 January).
  • Sat 6 - Wed 10 March: Laylat al-Qadr (estimated) (5-day weekend, Saturday 6 March to Wednesday 10 March).
  • Fri 26 - Mon 29 March: Good Friday (4-day weekend, Friday 26 March to Monday 29 March).
  • Sat 1 - Mon 3 May: Labor Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 1 May to Monday 3 May).
  • Sat 15 - Mon 17 May: Eid al-Adha (estimated) (3-day weekend, Saturday 15 May to Monday 17 May).
  • Sat 14 - Mon 16 August: Prophet's Birthday (estimated) (3-day weekend, Saturday 14 August to Monday 16 August).
  • Sat 25 - Mon 27 December: Christmas Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 25 December to Monday 27 December).

The best breaks of the year are mapped in 2027 long weekends and bridge days.

Observed and substitute holidays in Gambia 2027

A substitute holiday is a day off moved to a nearby working weekday when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The legal date never changes - only the day most people actually get off.

  • 8 March 2027 (Monday) - given as the day off for Laylat al-Qadr (observed, estimated), which falls on a weekend.
  • 3 May 2027 (Monday) - given as the day off for Labor Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
  • 16 August 2027 (Monday) - given as the day off for Assumption Day (observed); Prophet's Birthday (observed, estimated), which falls on a weekend.
  • 27 December 2027 (Monday) - given as the day off for Boxing Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.

Regional variations are common; see public holidays across Africa for the wider picture.

Public holidays in Gambia: is your date a holiday in 2027?

Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Gambia in 2027. If the date you are checking appears there, it is a day off; if it does not, it is not a public holiday - however widely it may be marked.

For example, 1 January 2027 is New Year's Day, a public holiday in Gambia.

More to explore: browse public holidays by country.

About these holidays in Gambia (2027)

Our Gambia public holidays guide explains the background of each holiday and how the dates are set.

New Year's Day

New Year's Day falls on 1 January and opens the Gregorian calendar year. Most countries mark it with a public holiday, and celebrations usually begin the night before with countdowns, fireworks and gatherings. The date was fixed in its current position by Julius Caesar's calendar reform, and later preserved by the Gregorian reform of 1582. traditions vary widely, from first-footing in Scotland to writing resolutions for the months ahead.

Independence Day

Independence Day marks the anniversary of a nation's formal separation from another state, or of the founding moment of its sovereignty. Because it commemorates a specific historical event, the date differs from country to country and the name often includes the year. Typical observances include flag raising, military parades, speeches by heads of state, and public concerts. It is frequently the most prominent national holiday on the calendar.

Eid al-Fitr (estimated)

Eid al-Fitr is the festival that ends Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and begins on the first day of Shawwal. It is a two or three day public holiday across much of the Muslim world. The date depends on the sighting of the new moon, so published calendars mark it as estimated until it is confirmed. Families gather for prayer, shared meals and charitable giving before the fast was broken each evening of Ramadan.

Good Friday

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a public holiday in most countries with Christian traditions, and businesses, banks and schools often close. Observance is typically solemn, with church services, processions and in some places Passion plays. The date moves each year because Easter is calculated from the first full moon following the March equinox.

Easter Monday

Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and forms the final day of the Easter octave in Western Christianity. It is a public holiday in many European, Commonwealth and Latin American countries, effectively extending the Easter weekend. Because it is tied to the movable date of Easter, it falls between late March and late April. Traditional customs include egg rolling, picnics and family outings.

Official sources & last checked

Holiday dates on this page are compiled from public holiday datasets and reviewed by our editorial team. Last checked: .

Holiday observance can vary by region and employer. Confirm critical dates with the relevant authority.