Madagascar Public Holidays
Madagascar observes a mix of public, national, and regional holidays throughout the year.
Overview
Madagascar 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 Madagascar by year below.
2026 holidays
A quick look at upcoming holidays in Madagascar.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Mar 29 | Sunday | Martyrs' Day |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day |
| May 14 | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| May 25 | Monday | Whit Monday |
| Jun 26 | Friday | Independence Day |
| Aug 15 | Saturday | Assumption Day |
| Nov 1 | Sunday | All Saints' Day |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
Holiday calendar by year
Years are listed in ascending order.
About public holidays in Madagascar
This guide provides an overview of public holidays in Madagascar for 2026. Public holidays in Madagascar are a mix of traditional, religious, and national observances. Some holidays may fall on weekends, and their observance might shift to a nearby weekday.
For a comprehensive list of all public holidays and their observance dates, please refer to our full holiday calendar. For definitions of public holidays, visit our Public Holidays Explained page.
Major public holidays in 2026
In 2026, Madagascar observes several significant public holidays, including religious festivals and national celebrations.
You can find a complete list of all holidays in Madagascar for 2026 on our Madagascar holidays 2026 page.
- New Year's Day — 1 January 2026. The start of the Gregorian calendar year.
- Martyrs' Day — 29 March 2026. A day to commemorate national heroes and martyrs.
- Easter Monday — 6 April 2026. A Christian observance following Easter Sunday.
- Labour Day — 1 May 2026. International Workers' Day, celebrating the contributions of workers.
- Independence Day — 26 June 2026. Commemorating Madagascar's independence.
- Assumption Day — 15 August 2026. A Christian feast day.
- All Saints' Day — 1 November 2026. A solemn observance for saints and martyrs.
- Christmas Day — 25 December 2026. A Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Planning around holidays
Madagascar's public holidays are spread throughout the year, with a notable cluster of religious observances in the spring. National holidays are often celebrated with public events and ceremonies. Planning travel or business around these dates can help you experience local culture, but also requires awareness of potential closures or altered schedules.
- Spring Observances: Several religious holidays, such as Easter Monday, Ascension Day, and Whit Monday, fall in the spring months, potentially affecting business operations.
- Mid-Year Celebrations: Independence Day in June is a significant national event.
- Late Year Holidays: The latter part of the year includes important religious and cultural observances like Assumption Day, All Saints' Day, and Christmas Day.
- Weekend Impact: Be aware that if a public holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday may sometimes be observed as a day off, though this is not always the case and can vary.
Plan Your Year Around MG Holidays
View Madagascar holidays in calendar mode
Explore public holidays in a visual calendar layout and plan ahead more easily.