Christmas Day in Burundi
Burundi observes Christmas on 25 December and classifies it as a Christian official holiday. The country’s decree lists it as a non-working, paid public holiday, while a presidential account of a Christmas Mass offers a documented example of how the day is marked locally.[1][2][3]
A Christian holiday in the national calendar
Burundi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists Christmas as a Christian holiday on 25 December. A 2021 presidential decree gives it a legal status alongside other named public holidays: Christmas is included in the list of days that are both non-working and paid.[1][2]
The date commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. In a presidential account of a Christmas celebration at Murayi Parish, the homily described the Nativity as the birth of Christ, and the President urged people to show love and fraternity through sharing.[3]
What the law provides
Under the 2021 decree, the holiday must not reduce workers’ daily, weekly or monthly wages. Workers paid by the hour, day or output are entitled to compensation equal to the pay they would have earned had they worked normally. The decree also provides additional compensation for employees who work on a listed holiday, with an increase for overtime hours.[1]
The decree allows a holiday that falls on a Sunday to be moved to the next working day if it is considered inappropriate to observe it on Sunday.[1]
How Christmas is observed
An official report from the Presidency records that the President and his family joined Christians for a Christmas Eucharistic celebration at Murayi Parish in the Archdiocese of Gitega. The report describes a homily on Jesus’ birth and the President’s appeal to Christians and non-Christians to express love and fraternity by sharing what they had prepared for the day.[3]
An official report from the Presidency records one parish celebration and a message delivered on that occasion.[3]
Planning for the day
The legal designation means Christmas is a non-working paid holiday for workers covered by the decree, though the decree also sets out compensation for those required to work. It does not specify the opening hours of individual banks, shops, restaurants or transport services, so visitors should confirm arrangements directly with the provider.[1]
Travelers should check any appointment or journey in advance rather than assume that every service follows the same hours.[2]
Christmas Day in Burundi: FAQs
When is Christmas Day in Burundi?
Christmas is observed on 25 December each year, according to Burundi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[2]
Is Christmas a public holiday and a day off?
Yes. A 2021 decree lists Christmas among the non-working, paid public holidays. It also provides compensation rules for workers who are paid by the hour, day or output, and for those required to work on a holiday.[1]
Does Christmas get a substitute day when it falls on Sunday?
The decree allows a Sunday holiday to move to the next working day if it is considered inappropriate to observe it on Sunday. The move is conditional, not automatic.[1]
Are shops, banks and transport services open?
Check directly with the shop, bank or transport service you plan to use before making arrangements.
Sources and references
Sources used for Christmas Day in Burundi:
- DECRET N°100/150 DU 07 JUIN 2021 PORTANT MODIFICATION DU DECRET N° 100/182 DU 17 JUILLET 2006 FIXANT LA LISTE ET LE REGIME DES JOURS FERIES- Presidency of the Republic of Burundi
- Official Holidays- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
- Célébration de Noël, le Chef de l’État invite les Burundais à l’amour, au partage et au travail assidu.- Presidency of the Republic of Burundi