New Year’s Day in Cape Verde
New Year’s Day falls on January 1 and is identified as a national holiday in Cape Verde’s official school calendars. Its civil role as the year’s first day sits alongside a Catholic observance recognized in an agreement published by the state.[1][2]
A civil holiday with a religious observance
Cape Verde’s Ministry of Education calendar lists January 1 as “1º Dia do Ano – Ano Novo” among national holidays.[1]
A state-approved protocol concerning the Catholic Church also names New Year and the Feast of Saint Mary, Mother of God, on January 1, among Catholic festive days recognized under the applicable law. This gives the date a religious association as well as its place at the beginning of the civil year.[2]
Family time and local culture
The government describes the Christmas and year-end period as traditionally devoted to family gatherings, with considerable movement by people travelling from their usual homes, often to their islands of origin.[3]
Cape Verde’s official tourism portal presents morna, batuque and funaná as music and dance genres woven into daily life, and cachupa as a central reference in the country’s food tradition.[4]
What visitors should plan for
The Christmas and year-end period brings family visits and travel between islands. Check directly with transport operators before making an inter-island journey.[3]
January 1 is a national holiday. Check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go. Check with the particular bank or shop before setting out.[1]
Date and status
New Year’s Day is observed on January 1 each year in the calendar used by the official school schedule. The same schedule places it among Cape Verde’s national holidays, while the cited religious protocol separately recognizes its Catholic festive significance.[1][2]
Frequently asked questions
When is New Year’s Day in Cape Verde?
It falls on January 1. Cape Verde’s official education calendar names that date as New Year and includes it among national holidays.[1]
Is it a public holiday?
Yes. The official education calendar lists January 1 as a national holiday. It lists no general substitute-day rule.[1]
Are banks, offices and shops open?
Check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go. Check with the specific bank or shop before visiting.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for New Year's Day in Cape Verde:
- Boletim Oficial n.º 146, 1.º Suplemento, II Série de 06-08-2025- Boletim Oficial da República de Cabo Verde; Ministério da Educação
- Decreto n.º 6/2026, de 26 maio- Boletim Oficial da República de Cabo Verde
- Governo concede tolerância de ponto na Administração Pública nos dias 24, 26 e 31 de dezembro- Governo de Cabo Verde
- welcome-to-cv- Turismo de Cabo Verde