Kenya Public Holidays
Kenya observes a mix of public, national, and regional holidays throughout the year.
Browse Kenya holidays by year
Choose a year to see the complete public holiday calendar and planning details.
2026 holidays
A quick look at public holidays in Kenya.
| 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 |
| Jun 1 | Monday | Madaraka Day |
| Oct 10 | Saturday | Mazingira Day |
| Oct 20 | Tuesday | Mashujaa Day |
| Dec 12 | Saturday | Jamhuri Day |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Saturday | Boxing Day |
About public holidays in Kenya
Kenya 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.
Use the year pages above to see the full holiday calendar.
About public holidays in Kenya
This guide provides an overview of public holidays in Kenya. Our site organizes holidays by country, allowing you to easily find information relevant to your needs. For a comprehensive understanding of what constitutes a public holiday, please refer to our definitions page. To see a complete list of holidays for Kenya in a specific year, visit the Kenya holidays in {reference_year} page.
Major public holidays in 2026
In 2026, Kenya observes a number of significant public holidays. These dates are important for both cultural and national celebrations. You can find a full list of all holidays for the year on the Kenya holidays in 2026 page.
Other notable holidays in 2026 include Islamic holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, which are determined by the lunar calendar and may vary year to year. Please check the specific dates for those holidays.
- New Year's Day — 1 January 2026. Marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year.
- Good Friday — 3 April 2026. A Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus.
- Easter Monday — 6 April 2026. The day after Easter Sunday, often observed as a public holiday.
- Labour Day — 1 May 2026. Celebrates the contributions of workers.
- Madaraka Day — 1 June 2026. Commemorates Kenya's self-governance and attainment of internal freedom.
- Mashujaa Day — 20 October 2026. A day to honor all Kenyans who contributed to Kenya's independence and development.
- Christmas Day — 25 December 2026. A major Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus.
- Boxing Day — 26 December 2026. Observed the day after Christmas Day.
Planning around holidays
Kenya's public holidays are spread throughout the year, with a concentration of observances in the spring and late autumn. Some holidays, particularly those tied to religious calendars like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, can shift annually. It's advisable to check the specific dates for these holidays each year when planning travel or events.
- Spring: Several significant holidays, including Easter-related observances and Labour Day, fall in April and May.
- Early Summer: Madaraka Day in June marks a key national celebration.
- Autumn: Mashujaa Day in October and Jamhuri Day in December are important national holidays.
- End of Year: Christmas and Boxing Day provide a holiday period at the close of the year.
- Religious Observances: Dates for Islamic holidays vary based on the lunar calendar and should be confirmed annually.
Plan Your Year Around KE Holidays
View Kenya holidays in calendar mode
Explore public holidays in a visual calendar layout and plan ahead more easily.