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
Libya has 15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Anniversary of the February 17 Revolution | Feb 17Tue | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 21Sat | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 22Sun | National |
| Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Day of Arafah (estimated) | May 26Tue | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 28Thu | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 29Fri | National |
| Islamic New Year Day (estimated) | Jun 16Tue | National |
| National Environmental Sanitation Day | Aug 14Fri | National |
| Prophet's Birthday (estimated) | Aug 25Tue | National |
Showing 12 of 15 public holidays 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
-
🎉
Libyan Revolution Day
Falls on Feb 17
-
🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
-
🎉
Eid al-Fitr
Falls on Mar 20
-
🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
-
🎉
Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Falls on Mar 21
-
🎉
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 15 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 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.
School holidays in Libya
School term dates in Libya
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.