Public Holidays in Gambia
Statutory public holidays in Gambia, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Gambia at a glance
The Gambia’s public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar for religious dates, with Independence Day on 18 February and Revolution Day on 22 July.
Religious dates move about ten days earlier each Gregorian year, and the country’s small size means most journeys are short.
Gambia public holidays 2026
Gambia has 20 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 |
| Independence Day | Feb 18Wed | National |
| Laylat al-Qadr (estimated) | Mar 16Mon | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 21Sat | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (observed, estimated) | Mar 23Mon | Substitute |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Africa Liberation Day | May 25Mon | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 28Thu | National |
Showing 12 of 20 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Gambia
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Gambia.
Banjul
A small island capital of colonial streets, an arch and Atlantic beaches nearby.
Serekunda
The biggest urban area, a sprawling market city on the mainland.
Bakau
A seaside town of craft markets, a botanic garden and crocodile pool.
Brikama
A town of woodcarvers and a craft market south of the capital.
Farafenni
A market town on the north bank of the Gambia river.
Top attractions in Gambia
The places that draw most visitors to Gambia.
Kunta Kinteh Island
An island fort and slave-trading site in the Gambia river, tied to Roots.
Stone Circles of Senegambia
Laterite megalith circles shared with Senegal, dating to the iron age.
Abuko Nature Reserve
A small forest reserve of monkeys and birds close to the coast.
River Gambia National Park
A riverine park of chimpanzees and hippos on Baboon islands.
Bijilo Forest Park
A coastal forest park of monkeys and a path to a long beach.
Jufureh
The ancestral village made famous by Alex Haley's Roots.
Festivals, food and getting around Gambia
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
-
🎉
New Year
Falls on Jan 1
-
🎉
Independence Day
Falls on Feb 18
-
🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
-
🎉
Lailat al-Qadr
Falls on Mar 15
-
🎉
Eid al-Fitr
Falls on Mar 20
-
🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
Food & drink
Getting around
Bush taxis and minibuses run the length of the country along a single main highway; river boats reach the up-country towns.
Travelling around Gambia’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Gambia 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
Gambia'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.
Gambia public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Gambia have?
Gambia has 20 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 Gambia is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Gambia'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, Gambia typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Gambia?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Gambia?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Gambia
School term dates in Gambia
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.