Public Holidays in South Sudan
Statutory public holidays in South Sudan, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
South Sudan at a glance
South Sudan’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 9 July and Peace Day, alongside Christian feast days.
Several dates move with Easter, and the country’s calendar reflects its Christian majority and recent independence.
South Sudan public holidays 2026
South Sudan has 15 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 |
| Peace Agreement Day | Jan 9Fri | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Holy Saturday | Apr 4Sat | National |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5Sun | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| International Labour Day | May 1Fri | National |
| SPLA Day | May 16Sat | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| Independence Day | Jul 9Thu | National |
| Martyrs' Day | Jul 30Thu | National |
Showing 12 of 15 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in South Sudan
The urban centres that anchor most trips to South Sudan.
Juba
A capital on the White Nile, with markets, a cathedral and a river port.
Wau
A city on the Jur river, a rail junction and trading centre.
Malakal
A city on the White Nile in the north, near the Sudan border.
Yei
A green city near the Congolese and Ugandan borders.
Bor
A city on the Nile with cattle camps and a wetlands hinterland.
Top attractions in South Sudan
The places that draw most visitors to South Sudan.
Boma National Park
A vast floodplain park holding one of the great antelope migrations.
Sudd Wetlands
One of the largest wetlands in the world, where the Nile spreads into swamp.
Shambe National Park
A Nile-side park of wetlands, antelope and waterbirds.
Nimule National Park
A park on the Ugandan border with rapids and elephant.
Juba Nile
The White Nile where it becomes navigable at the capital.
Bandingilo National Park
A savanna park of migration routes and vast open plains.
Festivals, food and getting around South Sudan
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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🎉
Peace Agreement Day
Falls on Jan 9
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🎉
Valentine's Day
Falls on Feb 14
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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
International Women's Day
Falls on Mar 8
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🎉
Eid al-Fitr
Falls on Mar 20
Food & drink
Getting around
Travel is dangerous and infrastructure is minimal; consult official guidance before any journey.
Travelling around South Sudan’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in South Sudan 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
South Sudan'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.
South Sudan public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does South Sudan have?
South Sudan has 15 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 South Sudan is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are South Sudan'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, South Sudan typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in South Sudan?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for South Sudan?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in South Sudan
School term dates in South Sudan
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.