| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2025-03-11 | Moshoeshoe's Day | National |
| 2025-04-18 | Good Friday | National |
| 2025-04-21 | Easter Monday | National |
| 2025-05-01 | Workers' Day | National |
| 2025-05-25 | Africa/Heroes Day | National |
| 2025-05-29 | Ascension Day | National |
| 2025-07-17 | King's Birthday | National |
| 2025-10-04 | Independence Day | National |
| 2025-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
| 2025-12-26 | Boxing Day | National |
How many public holidays does Lesotho have in 2025?
Lesotho has 11 public holidays in 2025: 11 national holidays. The dates run from 1 January 2025 to 26 December 2025, and no public holiday falls in February, June, August, September, November. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Lesotho's public holiday count compares.
Long weekends in Lesotho 2025
Lesotho's public holidays create 2 long weekends in 2025 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Fri 18 - Mon 21 April: Good Friday (4-day weekend, Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April).
- Thu 25 - Sun 28 December: Christmas Day (4-day weekend, Thursday 25 December to Sunday 28 December).
Observed and substitute holidays in Lesotho 2025
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.
In 2025 no public holiday in Lesotho is moved to a nearby weekday, so every holiday in the table above is observed on the date shown.
Regional variations are common; see public holidays across Africa for the wider picture.
Public holidays in Lesotho: is your date a holiday in 2025?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Lesotho in 2025. 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 2025 is New Year's Day, a public holiday in Lesotho.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Lesotho (2025)
Our Lesotho 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.
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.
Ascension Day
Ascension Day commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven, held on the fortieth day of Easter, always a Thursday. It is a public holiday in many European countries including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Because it is tied to Easter, the date falls between 30 April and 3 June. In several countries it also serves as a traditional day for outdoor excursions.
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.