| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2026-03-19 | Eid al-Fitr | National |
| 2026-03-20 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | National |
| 2026-04-03 | Good Friday | National |
| 2026-04-06 | Easter Monday | National |
| 2026-05-01 | Workers' Day | National |
| 2026-05-28 | Eid al-Adha (estimated) | National |
| 2026-05-29 | Eid al-Adha Holiday (estimated) | National |
| 2026-06-12 | Democracy Day | National |
| 2026-08-26 | Prophet's Birthday (estimated) | National |
| 2026-10-01 | National Day | National |
| 2026-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
| 2026-12-26 | Boxing Day | National |
| 2026-12-28 | Boxing Day (observed) | Substitute |
About these holidays in Nigeria (2026)
Our Nigeria 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.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is the festival breaking the fast of Ramadan, observed on the first day of Shawwal. It is one of the two major Islamic festivals and a public holiday throughout the Muslim world. The celebration opens with a special congregational prayer, followed by visits to family and neighbours, shared meals and giving to charity. Where the date has been confirmed by moon sighting, it appears without the estimated qualifier on published calendars.
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.
Eid al-Adha (estimated)
Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Muslims who can afford it sacrifice an animal and share the meat with family, neighbours and the poor. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the Gregorian date moves about ten days earlier each year and is listed as estimated.