Public Holidays in Lesotho
Statutory public holidays in Lesotho, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Lesotho at a glance
Lesotho’s public holidays mark independence in October and the birthday of the king, alongside Christian feast days.
Several dates move with Easter, and the country’s calendar reflects its strong Christian tradition and monarchy.
Lesotho public holidays 2026
Lesotho has 11 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 |
| Moshoeshoe's Day | Mar 11Wed | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Workers' Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Ascension Day | May 14Thu | National |
| Africa/Heroes Day | May 25Mon | National |
| King's Birthday | Jul 17Fri | National |
| Independence Day | Oct 4Sun | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
| Boxing Day | Dec 26Sat | National |
Showing 11 of 11 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Lesotho
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Lesotho.
Maseru
A border capital on the Caledon river, with a market and a palace on a hill.
Teyateyaneng
A town known for weaving, tapestries and the making of Basotho blankets.
Mafeteng
A market town southwest of the capital in the lowlands.
Hlotse
A town in the north near the Maluti mountains and a diamond mine.
Qacha's Nek
A remote highland town on the border with South Africa.
Top attractions in Lesotho
The places that draw most visitors to Lesotho.
Sehlabathebe National Park
A high-altitude park of sandstone formations, rock pools and rare flora.
Sani Pass
A steep gravel pass climbing to one of the highest roads in Africa.
Maletsunyane Falls
A single-drop waterfall plunging over 190 metres in the highlands.
Thaba-Bosiu
The mountain fortress where the Basotho nation was founded.
Katse Dam
A vast arch dam in the highlands, part of a huge water transfer scheme.
Malealea
A highland village and pony-trekking base in the Maluti.
Festivals, food and getting around Lesotho
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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🎉
Moshoeshoe's Birthday
Falls on Mar 11
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
Good Friday
Falls on Apr 3
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🎉
Easter Monday
Falls on Apr 6
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🎉
May Day
Falls on May 1
Food & drink
Getting around
4×4 is essential for the highlands; minibus taxis serve the lowlands and the border crossings.
Travelling around Lesotho’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Lesotho 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
Lesotho'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.
Lesotho public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Lesotho have?
Lesotho has 11 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 Lesotho is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Lesotho'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, Lesotho typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Lesotho?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Lesotho?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Lesotho
School term dates in Lesotho
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.