Botswana Public Holidays
Botswana observes a mix of public, national, and regional holidays throughout the year.
Overview
Botswana observes a mix of public, national, and regional holidays throughout the year.
Some holidays are observed nationwide, while others may apply only to specific regions or communities.
Explore the holiday calendar for Botswana by year below.
2026 holidays
A quick look at upcoming holidays in Botswana.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day |
| May 14 | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| Jul 1 | Wednesday | Sir Seretse Khama Day |
| Jul 20 | Monday | Presidents' Day |
| Sep 30 | Wednesday | Independence Day |
| Oct 1 | Thursday | Botswana Day holiday |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Saturday | St. Stephen's Day |
Holiday calendar by year
Years are listed in ascending order.
About public holidays in Botswana
This guide provides an overview of public holidays in Botswana. Holidays are observed on fixed dates or according to specific religious calendars. You can find a comprehensive list of all public holidays for Botswana on our dedicated page: /holidays/botswana. For a detailed breakdown of holidays in a specific year, please visit /holidays/botswana/2026. For general definitions of public holidays, see /public-holidays.
Major public holidays in 2026
Botswana observes a number of national holidays throughout the year, commemorating significant events and figures. These holidays often result in closures of government offices and businesses.
In addition to the holidays listed below, Botswana observes other public holidays such as New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, and St. Stephen's Day. For a complete list and more details, please refer to the /holidays/botswana/2026 page.
- Sir Seretse Khama Day — 1 July 2026. Celebrates the first president of Botswana.
- Presidents' Day — 20 July 2026. Honors the country's presidents.
- Independence Day — 30 September 2026. Marks Botswana's independence.
- Botswana Day holiday — 1 October 2026. A day to celebrate Botswana.
- Christmas Day — 25 December 2026. A widely celebrated religious holiday.
Planning around holidays
Botswana's public holidays are spread throughout the year, with a concentration in the first half and a few significant observances in the latter half. Understanding these dates can help in planning travel or business activities.
- Early Year: The year begins with New Year's Day, followed by religious observances like Good Friday and Easter Monday in the spring. Labour Day and Ascension Day also fall in May.
- Mid-Year: July and September/October feature important national commemorations, including Sir Seretse Khama Day, Presidents' Day, and Independence Day.
- Late Year: The year concludes with Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day in December.
Plan Your Year Around BW Holidays
View Botswana holidays in calendar mode
Explore public holidays in a visual calendar layout and plan ahead more easily.