Public Holidays in Somalia
Statutory public holidays in Somalia, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Somalia at a glance
Somalia’s public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar for religious dates, with Independence Day on 26 June and Republic Day on 1 July.
Religious dates move about ten days earlier each Gregorian year, and the weekend runs Friday to Saturday.
Somalia public holidays 2026
Somalia has 10 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 |
| Isra' and Mi'raj (estimated) | Jan 16Fri | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Labour Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| Islamic New Year (estimated) | Jun 16Tue | National |
| Ashura (estimated) | Jun 25Thu | National |
| Independence Day | Jun 26Fri | National |
| Republic Day | Jul 1Wed | National |
| Prophet's Birthday (estimated) | Aug 25Tue | National |
Showing 10 of 10 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Somalia
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Somalia.
Mogadishu
An Indian Ocean capital of old stone quarters, a lighthouse and a busy port.
Hargeisa
The largest city in the north, with markets and a livestock economy.
Bosaso
A port city on the Gulf of Aden, a trading hub for the northeast.
Kismayo
A port city in the south with mangroves and a fishing fleet.
Baidoa
An inland city of the Bay region, a market and farming centre.
Top attractions in Somalia
The places that draw most visitors to Somalia.
Laas Geel
Neolithic rock shelters holding some of Africa's best-preserved cattle paintings.
Mogadishu Old Town
A quarter of coral-stone houses, mosques and a lighthouse.
Lido Beach
A long Indian Ocean beach near the capital, busy at weekends.
Cal Madow
A mountain range of juniper forest and endemic species in the north.
Ras Hafun
The easternmost point of the African mainland, on a sand spit.
Jazeera Beach
A white-sand beach south of Mogadishu with offshore reefs.
Festivals, food and getting around Somalia
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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🎉
Isra and Mi'raj
Falls on Jan 16
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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
Eid al-Fitr
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Falls on Mar 21
Food & drink
Getting around
Travel is extremely dangerous in much of the country; consult official guidance before any journey.
Travelling around Somalia’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Somalia 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
Somalia'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.
Somalia public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Somalia have?
Somalia has 10 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 Somalia is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Somalia'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, Somalia typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Somalia?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Somalia?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Somalia
School term dates in Somalia
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.