Public holidays in Zambia 2026

19 nationwide public holidays in 2026.

Nationwide holidays 2026

Long weekends and bridge days 2026

Based on nationwide holidays and the weekend in Zambia (Saturday and Sunday). Regional, local and group holidays are not included.

Long weekends

• Sat 7 Mar – Mon 9 Mar · 3 days off
  International Women's Day, International Women's Day (observed)
  Typically in Lusaka: high 28°C (82°F), low 18°C (64°F), rain on 56% of days
• Fri 3 Apr – Mon 6 Apr · 4 days off
  Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday
  Typically in Lusaka: high 29°C (84°F), low 17°C (63°F), rain on 17% of days
• Fri 1 May – Sun 3 May · 3 days off
  Labour Day
  Typically in Lusaka: high 29°C (84°F), low 15°C (59°F), rain on 4% of days
• Sat 23 May – Mon 25 May · 3 days off
  Africa Freedom Day
  Typically in Lusaka: high 28°C (82°F), low 13°C (55°F), rain on 0% of days
• Sat 4 Jul – Tue 7 Jul · 4 days off
  Heroes' Day, Unity Day
  Typically in Lusaka: high 26°C (79°F), low 11°C (52°F), rain on 0% of days
• Sat 1 Aug – Mon 3 Aug · 3 days off
  Farmers' Day
  Typically in Lusaka: high 28°C (82°F), low 12°C (54°F), rain on 0% of days
• Sat 17 Oct – Mon 19 Oct · 3 days off
  National Prayer Day, National Prayer Day (observed)
  Typically in Lusaka: high 35°C (95°F), low 20°C (68°F), rain on 7% of days
• Fri 25 Dec – Sun 27 Dec · 3 days off
  Christmas Day
  Typically in Lusaka: high 28°C (82°F), low 19°C (66°F), rain on 57% of days

Bridge days

• Fri 2 Jan: take 1 day off, get 4 days in a row (Thu 1 Jan – Sun 4 Jan)
  New Year's Day
  Typically in Lusaka: high 28°C (82°F), low 19°C (66°F), rain on 71% of days
• Fri 13 Mar: take 1 day off, get 4 days in a row (Thu 12 Mar – Sun 15 Mar)
  Youth Day
  Typically in Lusaka: high 28°C (82°F), low 18°C (64°F), rain on 46% of days
• Mon 27 Apr: take 1 day off, get 4 days in a row (Sat 25 Apr – Tue 28 Apr)
  Kenneth Kaunda Day
  Typically in Lusaka: high 29°C (84°F), low 15°C (59°F), rain on 6% of days
• Fri 14 Aug: take 1 day off, get 4 days in a row (Thu 13 Aug – Sun 16 Aug)
  General Election Day
  Typically in Lusaka: high 29°C (84°F), low 13°C (55°F), rain on 0% of days

Leave planner 2026

Choose how many leave days you can take for one break. The planner finds the breaks that give the most days off in a row around nationwide holidays and weekends, and marks the leave days on the calendar below.

2026 calendar

Click working days on the calendar to choose your own leave days.

Holiday dates are for general information and can change. Official government announcements take precedence.