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Zambia public holidays 2026: 14 holidays, 2 long weekends

In 2026, Zambia has 14 public holidays: 12 fall on working days, and the calendar offers 2 long weekends. Good Friday falls on April 3, 2026, and April is the busiest month.

Year at a glance

14Public holidays
12On weekdays
248Working days in year
10Longest break (days)
AprilBusiest month

Public holidays in 2026

Date	Weekday	Holiday	Substitute day
January 1, 2026	Thursday	New Year's Day	—
March 9, 2026	Monday	Women’s Day	—
March 12, 2026	Thursday	Youth Day	—
April 3, 2026	Friday	Good Friday	—
April 6, 2026	Monday	Easter Monday	—
April 28, 2026	Tuesday	Kenneth Kaunda Day	—
May 1, 2026	Friday	Labour Day	—
May 25, 2026	Monday	African Freedom Day	—
July 6, 2026	Monday	Heroes' Day	—
July 7, 2026	Tuesday	Unity Day	—
August 3, 2026	Monday	Farmers' Day	—
October 18, 2026	Sunday	National Day of Prayers	—
October 19, 2026	Monday	National Day of Prayers (substitute day)	Substitute day
October 24, 2026	Saturday	Independence Day	—
December 25, 2026	Friday	Christmas Day	—

2026 calendar

Holiday
Weekend
Substitute day

Holidays on weekend days

Holiday	Date	Weekday / Substitute day
National Day of Prayers	October 18, 2026	Sunday / October 19, 2026
Independence Day	October 24, 2026	Saturday

Long weekends and bridge days

Date	Days off	vacation days	Holiday
January 1, 2026 – January 4, 2026	4	1	New Year's Day
March 7, 2026 – March 9, 2026	3	No leave needed	Women’s Day
March 12, 2026 – March 15, 2026	4	1	Youth Day
April 3, 2026 – April 6, 2026	4	No leave needed	Good Friday, Easter Monday
March 28, 2026 – April 6, 2026	10	4	Good Friday, Easter Monday

Moving holidays

Holiday	Date	Moving holidays
Good Friday	April 3, 2026	15 earlier
Easter Monday	April 6, 2026	15 earlier

All about public holidays in Zambia