Public Holidays in Senegal
Statutory public holidays in Senegal, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Senegal at a glance
Senegal’s public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar for religious dates, with Independence Day on 4 April the national date.
Because the country is overwhelmingly Muslim, the Grand Magal of Touba and the Eids shape the year, and dates move annually.
Senegal public holidays 2026
Senegal has 14 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Independence Day | Apr 4Sat | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Ascension Day | May 14Thu | National |
| Pentecost Monday | May 25Mon | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| Ashura (estimated) | Jun 25Thu | National |
| Grand Magal of Touba (estimated) | Aug 1Sat | National |
| Assumption Day | Aug 15Sat | National |
| Prophet's Birthday (estimated) | Aug 25Tue | National |
Showing 12 of 14 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Senegal
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Senegal.
Dakar
A peninsula capital of markets, music and an Atlantic corniche.
Touba
The spiritual capital of the Mouride brotherhood, with a vast mosque.
Thies
A rail and industrial city east of the capital with a tapestry tradition.
Saint-Louis
A colonial island city on the Senegal river, of pastel facades and a bridge.
Ziguinchor
A green southern city on the Casamance river, with a distinct culture.
Mbour
A fishing city on the Petite Cote, with beaches and a busy port.
Top attractions in Senegal
The places that draw most visitors to Senegal.
Island of Goree
A small island of pastel houses and the Maison des Esclaves.
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
A delta wetland of pelicans and flamingos in the north.
Lake Retba
A saline lake of pink water where salt harvesters work.
Niokolo-Koba National Park
A savanna park of elephants, lions and the Gambia river.
Saint-Louis Island
A colonial grid of balconied houses on an island in the river mouth.
Stone Circles of Senegambia
Megalithic laterite circles shared with Gambia, of iron-age date.
Festivals, food and getting around Senegal
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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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
Korité
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
Independence Day
Falls on Apr 4
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🎉
Easter Monday
Falls on Apr 6
Food & drink
Getting around
Sept-place shared taxis and buses link every town; the new regional express train serves the capital corridor.
Travelling around Senegal’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Senegal 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
Senegal'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.
Senegal public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Senegal have?
Senegal has 14 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 Senegal is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Senegal'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, Senegal typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Senegal?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Senegal?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Senegal
School term dates in Senegal
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.