Public Holidays in The Gambia 2025 – National & Religious Calendar
The Gambia recognizes a mix of national, Christian, and Islamic public holidays. Government offices, schools, banks, and many businesses close on these days to allow citizens to observe religious festivals or commemorate national events. Islamic holidays depend on the lunar calendar and may shift by a day.
Overview of Public Holidays in The Gambia
The Gambia’s holiday calendar includes fixed-date national holidays such as New Year’s Day and Independence Day, Christian holidays tied to Easter (Good Friday, Easter Monday), and Islamic observances like Eid al-Fitr (Koriteh), Eid al-Adha (Tobaski), the Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid Nabi), Lailat al-Qadr, and Ashura.
List of Public Holidays in The Gambia (2025)
| Holiday | Date (2025) | Day | Remarks / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Wednesday | Start of the Gregorian year. |
| Independence Day | February 18 | Tuesday | Marks independence from the United Kingdom (1965). |
| Lailat al-Qadr | March 27 | Thursday | “Night of Power” in Islam. |
| Koriteh / Eid al-Fitr | March 30 (observed March 31) | Sunday → Monday | Marks the end of Ramadan. |
| Good Friday | April 18 | Friday | Christian observance of Christ’s crucifixion. |
| Easter Monday | April 21 | Monday | Christian holiday following Easter Sunday. |
| Labour Day / May Day | May 1 | Thursday | International Workers’ Day. |
| Africa Day / African Liberation Day | May 25 (observed May 26) | Sunday → Monday | Monday declared holiday when it falls on Sunday. |
| Tobaski / Eid al-Adha | June 6–7 | Friday & Saturday | Major Islamic feast of sacrifice. |
| Ashura | July 6 | Sunday | Islamic commemoration of 10 Muharram. |
| Revolution Day | July 22 | Tuesday | Anniversary of the 1994 coup. |
| Assumption Day (Sang Marie) | August 15 | Friday | Christian feast of the Assumption of Mary. |
| Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid Nabi) | September 5 | Friday | Birth of Prophet Muhammad (Islamic). |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Thursday | Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. |
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the government may declare the following Monday as an observance day, as was the case with Africa Day in 2025.
Observances, Closures & Exceptions
On public holidays, government institutions, banks, schools, and many businesses close nationwide. Islamic holidays may vary by a day depending on moon sightings and the official announcement by authorities. Some commemorative days are officially declared by presidential order closer to the date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does The Gambia have in 2025?
The Gambia observes around 14 nationally recognized public holidays in 2025.
Do Islamic holiday dates shift each year?
Yes. Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar, so their Gregorian dates change annually.
Does The Gambia shift holidays that fall on Sunday?
Yes, in some cases. For example, when Africa Day fell on Sunday in 2025, the holiday was moved to Monday, May 26.
Were both June 6 and June 7 declared Tobaski holidays in 2025?
Yes. The President declared both June 6 and June 7, 2025, as public holidays for Tobaski (Eid al-Adha).
Conclusion
Public holidays in The Gambia highlight the country’s religious diversity, cultural traditions, and national history. From Islamic festivals like Koriteh and Tobaski to Christian celebrations and historic commemorations, these observances form an essential part of Gambian civic life.
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