Public Holidays in Mozambique
Statutory public holidays in Mozambique, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Mozambique at a glance
Mozambique’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 25 June and Victory Day on 7 September, alongside Christian feast days and heroes’ commemorations.
Several dates move with Easter, and the calendar reflects the liberation struggle alongside the Catholic year.
Mozambique public holidays 2026
The dates below come from Mozambique’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New Year | Jan 1Thu | 2026 |
| Mozambican Heroes Day | Feb 3Tue | 2026 |
| March Equinox | Mar 20Fri | 2026 |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | 2026 |
| Mozambican Woman's Day | Apr 7Tue | 2026 |
| May Day | May 1Fri | 2026 |
| June Solstice | Jun 21Sun | 2026 |
| Independence Day | Jun 25Thu | 2026 |
| Victory Day | Sep 7Mon | 2026 |
| September Equinox | Sep 23Wed | 2026 |
| Armed Forces Day | Sep 25Fri | 2026 |
| Peace and Reconciliation Day | Oct 4Sun | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 15 dates recorded for 2026.
Major cities in Mozambique
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Mozambique.
Maputo
A capital of jacaranda trees, Art Deco facades and a bayfront seafood market.
Beira
The second city, a port on the Mozambique Channel with a colonial core.
Nampula
A highland city in the north, a rail junction and market centre.
Quelimane
A delta city of coconut palms and old Portuguese churches.
Pemba
A city on a peninsula with one of the best natural harbours in Africa.
Top attractions in Mozambique
The places that draw most visitors to Mozambique.
Island of Mozambique
A coral island city of Portuguese fortresses and Swahili stone houses.
Bazaruto Archipelago
Islands of dunes, reefs and dugongs in a marine park.
Gorongosa National Park
A recovering park of floodplain, lions and waterbuck in the centre.
Quirimbas Archipelago
A chain of coral islands with historic forts and dive sites.
Tofo Beach
A surf and dive town with manta rays and whale sharks year-round.
Lake Malawi shore
The Mozambican shore of Lake Malawi, with island rocks and clear water.
Festivals, food and getting around Mozambique
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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🎉
Mozambican Heroes Day
Falls on Feb 3
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
Good Friday
Falls on Apr 3
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🎉
Mozambican Woman's Day
Falls on Apr 7
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🎉
May Day
Falls on May 1
Food & drink
Getting around
Chapas and long-distance buses are the mainstay; the coast is served by dhow and light aircraft.
Travelling around Mozambique’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Mozambique 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
Mozambique'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.
Mozambique public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Mozambique have?
Mozambique has 15 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 Mozambique is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Mozambique'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, Mozambique typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Mozambique?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Mozambique?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.