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Tanzania Public Holidays

Tanzania observes a mix of public, national, and regional holidays throughout the year.

Overview

Tanzania 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 Tanzania by year below.

2026 holidays

A quick look at upcoming holidays in Tanzania.

DateDayHoliday
Jan 1ThursdayNew Year's Day
Jan 12MondayZanzibar Revolution Day
Feb 18WednesdayRamadan Start
Mar 20FridayEid el Fitri
Mar 20FridayMarch Equinox
Mar 21SaturdayEid el Fitri Holiday
Apr 3FridayGood Friday
Apr 5SundayEaster Sunday
Apr 6MondayEaster Monday
Apr 7TuesdayKarume Day
Apr 26SundayUnion Day
May 1FridayLabour Day
May 10SundayMothers' Day
May 27WednesdayEid al-Adha
Jun 21SundayFathers' Day

Holiday calendar by year

Years are listed in ascending order.

About public holidays in Tanzania

Tanzania observes a variety of public holidays throughout the year, reflecting its rich cultural, religious, and historical heritage. These holidays are a mix of national celebrations, religious observances, and commemorations.

On this page, you'll find a comprehensive list of public holidays in Tanzania for the reference year. For a broader understanding of holiday definitions, please visit our public holidays guide. To see all holidays for a specific year, check out the Tanzania holidays in 2026 page.

Major public holidays in 2026

In 2026, Tanzania will observe several significant public holidays. These include national celebrations and important religious festivals.

You can find a complete listing of all holidays, including regional observances and less common holidays, on the Tanzania holidays in 2026 page.

  • New Year's Day1 January 2026. Marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year.
  • Zanzibar Revolution Day12 January 2026. Commemorates the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution.
  • Eid el Fitri20 March 2026. A major Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan.
  • Good Friday3 April 2026. A Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
  • Union Day26 April 2026. Celebrates the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964.
  • Labour Day1 May 2026. A day to honor workers and their contributions.
  • Saba Saba7 July 2026. Commemorates the establishment of the TANU (Tanganyika African National Union) party.
  • Republic Day9 December 2026. Celebrates Tanzania becoming a republic.

Planning around holidays

When planning your activities in Tanzania, it's useful to be aware of the public holidays. Many businesses and government offices may close or have reduced hours on these days, particularly around major religious festivals and national celebrations.

The timing of Islamic holidays, such as Eid al-Fitri and Eid al-Adha, can vary each year based on the lunar calendar, so it's always a good idea to check the specific dates for your chosen year.

Similarly, Christian holidays like Good Friday and Easter Monday are observed, and their dates also shift annually.

National holidays are fixed, providing predictable closures for planning purposes.

It's advisable to confirm operating hours for specific attractions or services in advance, especially if your visit coincides with a public holiday.

  • Religious Festivals: Islamic holidays like Eid al-Fitri and Eid al-Adha follow the lunar calendar, so their dates change annually.
  • Christian Observances: Holidays such as Good Friday and Easter Monday are tied to the lunar calendar as well.
  • National Celebrations: Fixed-date holidays like Union Day and Republic Day offer consistent planning points.
  • Seasonal Patterns: While not directly tied to holidays, the dry and wet seasons can influence travel plans and the availability of certain activities.

Plan Your Year Around TZ Holidays

Calendar Tool

View Tanzania holidays in calendar mode

Explore public holidays in a visual calendar layout and plan ahead more easily.

Frequently asked questions