Zambia · 2026

Public holidays in Zambia 2026

27
days until National Prayer Day

15 national public holidays · 11 fall on a weekday

Updated on September 20, 2026

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All 2026 public holidays

12 holidays have already passed this year
  1. 1 janThuNew Year's Day
  2. 8 marSunInternational Women's Day
  3. 12 marThuYouth Day
  4. 3 aprFriGood Friday
  5. 4 aprSatHoly Saturday
  6. 6 aprMonEaster Monday
  7. 28 aprTueKenneth Kaunda Day
  8. 1 mayFriLabour Day
  9. 25 mayMonAfrica Freedom Day
  10. 6 julMonHeroes' Day
  11. 7 julTueUnity Day
  12. 3 augMonFarmers' Day
  1. 18 octSunNational Prayer Day27 days
  2. 24 octSatIndependence Day33 days
  3. 25 decFriChristmas Day95 days

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Long weekends in 2026

How many days off each holiday gives you, and how many vacation days it takes to stretch it.

Christmas Day December 25 3 days off

Falls on Friday: 3 days off in a row without taking any vacation.

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Frequently asked questions

How many national public holidays does Zambia have in 2026?
Zambia has 15 national public holidays in 2026. These apply across the whole country; local holidays for a district or municipality are not included.
Which is the next public holiday in Zambia?
The next one is National Prayer Day, on October 18 (Sunday). 27 days to go.
Which public holidays fall on a weekend in 2026?
4 of the 15 fall on a Saturday or Sunday: International Women's Day (March 8), Holy Saturday (April 4), National Prayer Day (October 18), Independence Day (October 24).
Are public holidays paid in Zambia?
National public holidays are generally paid days off, and working on one usually entitles you to a premium. The details and the rate depend on Zambia law and on your contract: check your country labour authority.
More about work and rights in Zambia →
Does this list include regional holidays?
No. Only NATIONAL holidays are listed, the ones that apply across Zambia. Local patron saint days and district or municipal holidays are deliberately excluded: mixing them would produce a list that applies to no one in particular, because someone in one town does not get another town local holiday off.
This list covers only the NATIONAL public holidays of Zambia, the ones that apply countrywide. It does not include local patron saint days or district holidays: for those, check the labour authority of Zambia or your local government.

2026 calendar

September 1
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October 12
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January 11
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February 1
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Keep exploring

Zambia public holidays 2027 Botswana public holidays 2026 Ghana public holidays 2026 Kenya public holidays 2026 Zambia labour resource centre

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