Public Holidays in Zambia
Statutory public holidays in Zambia, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Zambia at a glance
Zambia’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 24 October, alongside Christian feast days and heroes and unity commemorations.
The country is officially Christian, and several dates move with Easter; Farmers’ Day in August is also marked.
Zambia public holidays 2026
Zambia has 19 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 |
| International Women's Day | Mar 8Sun | National |
| International Women's Day (observed) | Mar 9Mon | Substitute |
| Youth Day | Mar 12Thu | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Holy Saturday | Apr 4Sat | National |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5Sun | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Kenneth Kaunda Day | Apr 28Tue | National |
| Labour Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Africa Freedom Day | May 25Mon | National |
| Heroes' Day | Jul 6Mon | National |
Showing 12 of 19 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Zambia
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Zambia.
Lusaka
A capital of government buildings, markets and a growing commercial centre.
Kitwe
A mining city on the Copperbelt, with smelters and a market.
Ndola
A commercial city of the Copperbelt near the Congo border.
Livingstone
A city near Victoria Falls, with museums and a safari industry.
Chipata
A city near the Malawi border on the Great East Road.
Top attractions in Zambia
The places that draw most visitors to Zambia.
Victoria Falls
The Smoke that Thunders, a mile-wide curtain of falling water.
South Luangwa National Park
The birthplace of the walking safari, on a meandering river.
Lower Zambezi National Park
A river park of elephant, buffalo and canoe safaris.
Kafue National Park
One of the largest parks in Africa, of floodplains and miombo.
Lake Tanganyika
The deep rift lake on the northern border, with beaches and mountains.
Liuwa Plain National Park
A remote floodplain holding Africa's second-largest wildebeest migration.
Festivals, food and getting around Zambia
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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International Women's Day
Falls on Mar 8
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🎉
Day off for International Women's Day
Falls on Mar 9
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🎉
Youth Day
Falls on Mar 12
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
Good Friday
Falls on Apr 3
Food & drink
Getting around
Coaches link the main towns; the parks need a 4×4, and light aircraft serve the remote reserves.
Travelling around Zambia’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Zambia 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
Zambia'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.
Zambia public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Zambia have?
Zambia has 19 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 Zambia is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Zambia'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, Zambia typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Zambia?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Zambia?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Zambia
School term dates in Zambia
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.