| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | New Year's Day | National |
| 2026-01-02 | Day after New Year's Day | National |
| 2026-02-01 | National Heroes' Day | National |
| 2026-02-02 | National Heroes' Day (observed) | Substitute |
| 2026-03-20 | Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | National |
| 2026-04-03 | Good Friday | National |
| 2026-04-06 | Easter Monday | National |
| 2026-04-07 | Memorial Day of Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi in 1994 | National |
| 2026-05-01 | Labor Day | National |
| 2026-05-27 | Eid al-Adha (estimated) | National |
| 2026-07-01 | Independence Day | National |
| 2026-07-04 | Liberation Day | National |
| 2026-07-06 | Liberation Day (observed) | Substitute |
| 2026-08-07 | Umuganura Day | National |
| 2026-08-15 | Assumption Day | National |
| 2026-08-17 | Assumption Day (observed) | Substitute |
| 2026-12-25 | Christmas Day | National |
| 2026-12-26 | Boxing Day | National |
| 2026-12-28 | Boxing Day (observed) | Substitute |
How many public holidays does Rwanda have in 2026?
Rwanda has 19 public holidays in 2026: 15 national holidays, 4 substitute days. The dates run from 1 January 2026 to 28 December 2026, and no public holiday falls in June, September, October, November. Observances and regional holidays are listed separately and are not counted.
Wondering how that stacks up globally? See how Rwanda's public holiday count compares.
Long weekends in Rwanda 2026
Rwanda's public holidays create 9 long weekends in 2026 - runs of three or more consecutive days off, each built around a holiday that touches a weekend.
- Thu 1 - Sun 4 January: New Year's Day (4-day weekend, Thursday 1 January to Sunday 4 January).
- Sat 31 January - Mon 2 February: National Heroes' Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 31 January to Monday 2 February).
- Fri 20 - Sun 22 March: Eid al-Fitr (estimated) (3-day weekend, Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March).
- Fri 3 - Tue 7 April: Good Friday (5-day weekend, Friday 3 April to Tuesday 7 April).
- Fri 1 - Sun 3 May: Labor Day (3-day weekend, Friday 1 May to Sunday 3 May).
- Sat 4 - Mon 6 July: Liberation Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 4 July to Monday 6 July).
- Fri 7 - Sun 9 August: Umuganura Day (3-day weekend, Friday 7 August to Sunday 9 August).
- Sat 15 - Mon 17 August: Assumption Day (3-day weekend, Saturday 15 August to Monday 17 August).
- Fri 25 - Mon 28 December: Christmas Day (4-day weekend, Friday 25 December to Monday 28 December).
Observed and substitute holidays in Rwanda 2026
A substitute holiday is a day off moved to a nearby working weekday when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The legal date never changes - only the day most people actually get off.
- 2 February 2026 (Monday) - given as the day off for National Heroes' Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
- 6 July 2026 (Monday) - given as the day off for Liberation Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
- 17 August 2026 (Monday) - given as the day off for Assumption Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
- 28 December 2026 (Monday) - given as the day off for Boxing Day (observed), which falls on a weekend.
Regional variations are common; see public holidays across Africa for the wider picture.
Public holidays in Rwanda: is your date a holiday in 2026?
Every date in the table above is a public holiday in Rwanda in 2026. If the date you are checking appears there, it is a day off; if it does not, it is not a public holiday - however widely it may be marked.
For example, 1 January 2026 is New Year's Day, a public holiday in Rwanda.
More to explore: browse public holidays by country.
About these holidays in Rwanda (2026)
Our Rwanda 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 (estimated)
Eid al-Fitr is the festival that ends Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and begins on the first day of Shawwal. It is a two or three day public holiday across much of the Muslim world. The date depends on the sighting of the new moon, so published calendars mark it as estimated until it is confirmed. Families gather for prayer, shared meals and charitable giving before the fast was broken each evening of Ramadan.
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.
Labor Day
Labor Day honours the achievements of workers and the labour movement. Most countries observe it on 1 May, known internationally as May Day or International Workers' Day, which grew out of the campaign for an eight hour working day. Others, including the United States and Canada, hold it on the first Monday of September. Typical events include trade union marches, rallies and public speeches on working conditions.