Skip to main content
Holiday CalendarHolidayCalendar

2026 Zambia Holidays

See public holidays in Zambia for 2026, with official dates, observances, and key calendar events throughout the year.

Total Holidays

24

Holidays in 2026

Busiest Month

April

5 holidays

This Month

2

Holidays this month

Next Holiday

Heroes' Day

10 days away

About Zambia holidays in 2026

In 2026, Zambia observes a variety of public holidays, including national celebrations, religious observances, and days dedicated to specific groups or historical figures. The year begins with New Year's Day and includes significant periods like Easter in April and Independence Day in October. Several holidays are observed with an additional day off, providing extended breaks.

Holiday Distribution by Month

Holiday dates

DateDayHoliday Name
January 1, 2026ThursdayNew Year
March 8, 2026SundayInternational Women's Day
March 9, 2026MondayDay off for International Women's Day
March 12, 2026ThursdayYouth Day
March 20, 2026FridayMarch Equinox
April 3, 2026FridayGood Friday
April 4, 2026SaturdayHoly Saturday
April 5, 2026SundayEaster Sunday
April 6, 2026MondayEaster Monday
April 28, 2026TuesdayKenneth Kaunda Day
May 1, 2026FridayLabour Day
May 10, 2026SundayMother's Day
May 25, 2026MondayAfrica Freedom Day
June 21, 2026SundayFather's Day
June 21, 2026SundayJune Solstice
July 6, 2026MondayHeroes' Day
July 7, 2026TuesdayUnity Day
August 3, 2026MondayFarmers' Day
September 23, 2026WednesdaySeptember Equinox
October 18, 2026SundayPrayer Day
October 19, 2026MondayDay off for Prayer Day
October 24, 2026SaturdayIndependence Day
December 21, 2026MondayDecember Solstice
December 25, 2026FridayChristmas Day

Planning around Zambia holidays in 2026

  • Some holidays are observed with an additional day off, which may affect consecutive days.
  • The calendar includes both fixed-date holidays and those that vary annually.
  • Check the specific dates for holidays that fall on weekends, as observance days may shift.
  • Note that several holidays are secular, while others are religious in nature.

Holiday patterns in 2026

Zambia's holiday calendar shows a notable concentration of observances in the first half of the year, particularly in March and April, which feature several public holidays and the Easter period. May and July also present multiple holidays, contributing to a busy mid-year.

The latter half of the year sees a more dispersed pattern of holidays, with significant national days like Independence Day in October. There are also periods with no public holidays, such as February and November, offering quieter stretches in the calendar.

Plan Your Year Around ZM Holidays

Calendar Tool

View Zambia holidays in calendar mode

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