Public Holidays in Libya
Statutory public holidays in Libya, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Libya at a glance
Libya’s public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar for religious dates, with Revolution Day on 17 February and Independence Day on 24 December.
Religious dates move about ten days earlier each Gregorian year, and the calendar has changed with the country’s politics.
Libya public holidays 2026
The dates below come from Libya’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Libyan Revolution Day | Feb 17Tue | 2026 |
| Ramadan Start | Feb 18Wed | 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr | Mar 20Fri | 2026 |
| March Equinox | Mar 20Fri | 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Mar 21Sat | 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Mar 22Sun | 2026 |
| May Day | May 1Fri | 2026 |
| Day of Arafah | May 26Tue | 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha | May 27Wed | 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday | May 28Thu | 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday | May 29Fri | 2026 |
| Muharram | Jun 17Wed | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 19 dates recorded for 2026.
Major cities in Libya
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Libya.
Tripoli
A Mediterranean capital of an Ottoman medina, a seafront and a fort.
Benghazi
The second city, a port with a colonial quarter and Cyrenaican heritage.
Misrata
A trading and industrial city east of the capital.
Tobruk
A port city with a Second World War legacy and a fine harbour.
Ghadames
A Saharan oasis town of whitewashed, covered lanes shared with Tunisia.
Top attractions in Libya
The places that draw most visitors to Libya.
Leptis Magna
One of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, on the coast.
Cyrene
A Greek colony of temples and tombs on a highland above the sea.
Sabratha
A Roman port city with a theatre of white marble facing the sea.
Old Town of Ghadames
A desert oasis town of roofed alleys and courtyard houses.
Tadrart Acacus
A Saharan massif of sandstone arches and thousands of rock engravings.
Gaberoun Oasis
A Saharan lake set in a dune field, reached by 4×4 from Ubari.
Festivals, food and getting around Libya
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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🎉
Libyan Revolution Day
Falls on Feb 17
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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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🎉
Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Falls on Mar 21
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🎉
Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Falls on Mar 22
Food & drink
Getting around
Travel is dangerous and unpredictable; consult official guidance before any journey to the country.
Travelling around Libya’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Libya 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
Libya'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.
Libya public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Libya have?
Libya has 19 dates recorded on its 2026 calendar, ranging from national statutory holidays to widely marked observances that are not days off work.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Libya is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Libya'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, Libya typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Libya?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Libya?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.