Benin has 14 nationwide public holiday dates in 2026, including the Traditional Religions Festival, Eid al-Fitr, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Independence Day and Christmas. These holidays are legally recognized non-working dates, with specific arrangements for religious observances and national celebrations.
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Benin's public holiday system is principally governed by Law No. 90-019 of 27 July 1990 and Law No. 2024-32 of 2 September 2024. The newer legislation establishes two paid holidays for the annual Traditional Religions Festival, celebrated during the second week of January.
This guide explains the official 2026 holiday calendar, Christian and Islamic celebrations, Vodun Days, paid holiday rules, weekend observances and practical arrangements for businesses and travellers.
Next Public Holiday in Benin
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Public Holidays in Benin 2026
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Benin recognizes 14 nationwide statutory public holiday dates in 2026. These include fixed national celebrations, movable Christian and Islamic religious holidays, and two dates for the Traditional Religions Festival.
The country's main public holiday legislation is Law No. 90-019 of 27 July 1990, which establishes twelve statutory holiday categories.
Law No. 2024-32 of 2 September 2024 separately recognizes the annual Traditional Religions Festival and establishes two consecutive paid non-working days.
The Ministry of Labour and Public Service publishes official announcements confirming relevant annual dates, particularly Islamic celebrations determined through the religious calendar.
How Public Holidays Work in Benin
Public holidays in Benin are known in French as jours fériés. Statutory public holidays are generally designated as fériés, chômés et payés, meaning that they are official holidays on which work is suspended and the day is paid.
Law No. 90-019 establishes the principal nationwide holiday categories, including national commemorations and Christian and Islamic celebrations.
The law distinguishes statutory public holidays from national commemorative days that do not automatically provide paid time off.
The Ministry of Labour and Public Service issues notices confirming specific holiday dates and their nationwide application.
Islamic religious holidays require particular attention because their Gregorian dates vary annually. Official government announcements should be used instead of relying only on estimated religious calendars.
Traditional Religions Festival and Vodun Days in Benin
The annual Traditional Religions Festival is one of Benin's most distinctive national celebrations. It recognizes the country's indigenous religious traditions, including Vodun, and their contribution to Beninese culture and identity.
Benin's Traditional Religions Festival is governed by Law No. 2024-32 of 2 September 2024.
Article 2 establishes the annual celebration on the second Friday of January. Article 3 declares both that Friday and the preceding Thursday paid public holidays throughout Benin.
Traditional Religions Festival Holidays in 2026
In 2026, the statutory holidays were Thursday, 8 January, and Friday, 9 January.
The Ministry of Labour's Communiqué No. 001/MTFP/DC/SGM/DGT/SA, issued on 2 January 2026, confirms that both dates were paid non-working holidays throughout the national territory.
These two dates replaced the former arrangement under which the traditional religions holiday was observed annually on 10 January.
Are Vodun Days and Public Holidays the Same?
Vodun Days is a wider cultural and religious festival associated with the celebration of Benin's traditional religions.
The festival may include ceremonies, performances, exhibitions and other activities extending beyond the statutory public holiday dates.
In 2026, festival activities also took place on Saturday, 10 January. However, that date was not designated as a separate additional nationwide public holiday under the Ministry's 2026 announcement.
For public holiday databases, only the two statutory dates of 8 and 9 January should be counted for the Traditional Religions Festival.
Islamic Public Holidays in Benin in 2026
Benin recognizes three important Islamic celebrations as nationwide public holidays: Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Maouloud.
The dates of these observances follow the Islamic lunar calendar and therefore change from year to year.
The Ministry of Labour and Public Service publishes official notices confirming the applicable Gregorian dates.
Eid al-Fitr – End of Ramadan
Eid al-Fitr, commonly referred to in Benin's official announcements as the fête du Ramadan, marks the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
In 2026, the holiday was observed on Friday, 20 March.
Eid al-Fitr is included among Benin's statutory holidays under Law No. 90-019.
Because the celebration follows the Islamic lunar calendar, its Gregorian date should be verified against the government's annual announcement rather than calculated from a recurring fixed date.
Eid al-Adha – Tabaski
Eid al-Adha, widely known in Benin as Tabaski, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to obey God.
The celebration is associated with communal prayers, family gatherings, charitable giving and the sharing of food.
In 2026, Tabaski was observed as a national public holiday on Wednesday, 27 May.
Its date changes annually because it is determined according to the Islamic calendar.
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday – Maouloud
Maouloud commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad and is a statutory public holiday in Benin.
The government declared Tuesday, 25 August 2026, a nationwide paid non-working day for the celebration.
The Ministry of Labour's official Maouloud announcement expressly confirms the date and its nationwide holiday status.
Christian Public Holidays in Benin
Benin's statutory calendar also recognizes several Christian religious celebrations, including Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Assumption Day, All Saints' Day and Christmas Day.
The dates of Easter-related holidays change annually, while the remaining fixed-date celebrations follow the Gregorian calendar.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day following Easter Sunday and is recognized as a nationwide public holiday in Benin.
In 2026, Easter Monday fell on 6 April.
The Ministry of Labour announced the date as a paid non-working holiday across the country.
Good Friday, which fell on 3 April 2026, is not separately listed among the nationwide statutory holidays established by Law No. 90-019. It should therefore not automatically be classified as a general public holiday.
Ascension Day
Ascension Day commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven according to Christian tradition.
The holiday is observed forty days after Easter Sunday when Easter Sunday is counted as the first day.
In 2026, Ascension Day fell on Thursday, 14 May.
The Ministry of Labour confirmed the day as a nationwide paid public holiday.
Whit Monday – Pentecost Monday
Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, is observed the day after Pentecost Sunday.
The celebration follows the Christian Easter calendar and therefore changes its Gregorian date each year.
In Benin, Whit Monday is a statutory public holiday under Law No. 90-019.
The official holiday fell on Monday, 25 May 2026.
Assumption Day
Assumption Day is a Christian celebration associated with the belief that the Virgin Mary was taken into heaven.
It is observed on 15 August every year and is recognized as a nationwide public holiday in Benin.
In 2026, Assumption Day fell on Saturday, 15 August.
All Saints' Day
All Saints' Day is observed on 1 November and commemorates the saints of the Christian faith.
It is included among the statutory public holidays established by Law No. 90-019.
In 2026, All Saints' Day falls on Sunday, 1 November.
No additional Monday substitute date has been included in the national holiday calendar without a specific legal basis or government announcement.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is observed annually on 25 December and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
It is a statutory paid public holiday throughout Benin.
In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday, 25 December.
The date is established under Law No. 90-019 and does not require an annual calculation.
National Holidays in Benin
Benin's national public holidays include Independence Day, Labour Day and New Year's Day.
These observances are distinct from movable religious festivals because their calendar dates are fixed.
Independence Day – National Day
Benin celebrates Independence Day on 1 August every year.
The holiday commemorates the country's independence from France on 1 August 1960, when it became independent as the Republic of Dahomey.
Independence Day is officially recognized as the country's National Day.
In 2026, the national holiday fell on Saturday, 1 August.
The Ministry of Labour confirmed the date as a paid non-working holiday throughout Benin.
Labour Day
Labour Day is observed on 1 May in Benin, alongside International Workers' Day celebrations in many other countries.
The occasion recognizes the contribution of workers and the importance of labour rights.
In 2026, Labour Day fell on Friday, 1 May.
The date is established as a nationwide statutory public holiday under Law No. 90-019.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is observed on 1 January and marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.
In 2026, it fell on Thursday, 1 January.
The Ministry of Labour's official holiday announcements confirm New Year's Day as a paid non-working holiday throughout Benin.
National Commemorative Days That Are Not Public Holidays
Benin's holiday legislation distinguishes statutory paid public holidays from certain national commemorative days.
Article 3 of Law No. 90-019 identifies three national commemorative occasions:
- Remembrance Day (Journée du Souvenir) – 16 January.
- People's Sovereignty Day (Journée de la Souveraineté du Peuple) – 28 February.
- Women's Day (Journée de la Femme) – 8 March.
These commemorations do not have the same statutory non-working status as the public holidays listed in Article 1.
They should not be included in Benin's nationwide public holiday database unless a separate applicable government measure expressly grants a non-working day.
Long Weekends in Benin in 2026
Several public holidays create opportunities for extended weekends in Benin, particularly for employees who normally work Monday to Friday.
The Traditional Religions Festival holidays on Thursday and Friday, 8–9 January, created a potential four-day break when combined with the following weekend.
Eid al-Fitr fell on Friday, 20 March, providing a potential three-day weekend.
Easter Monday on 6 April created a possible three-day break with the preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Labour Day fell on Friday, 1 May, while Whit Monday fell on Monday, 25 May. Each provided a potential three-day weekend for employees with a standard Saturday-Sunday weekend.
Ascension Day fell on Thursday, 14 May. Taking Friday as separately approved annual leave could have extended the break, but Friday was not automatically an additional statutory holiday.
Christmas Day on Friday, 25 December, also creates a potential three-day weekend.
These arrangements depend on individual working schedules. Employers are not automatically required to grant additional days off simply because a holiday falls next to a weekend.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Benin?
Yes. Article 2 of Law No. 90-019 establishes statutory public holidays as paid non-working days.
The traditional religions legislation, Law No. 2024-32, separately confirms that the second Friday of January and the preceding Thursday are paid non-working holidays.
These laws establish the basic legal status of the holidays. Specific arrangements for employees required to work during a holiday depend on applicable labour legislation, collective agreements and employment conditions.
The Ministry of Labour and Public Service is the appropriate authority for official holiday announcements and employment-related guidance.
What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend?
Benin's statutory public holiday calendar does not establish an automatic Monday substitute for every holiday that falls on Saturday or Sunday.
Several important 2026 holidays occur during weekends, including Independence Day, Assumption Day and All Saints' Day.
These dates remain legally recognized holidays, but an additional weekday should not be assumed without an official announcement or applicable legal provision.
Employees and businesses should check the government's notices and relevant workplace rules before treating a following Monday as a non-working day.
Are Banks, Schools and Government Offices Closed on Public Holidays?
Nationwide statutory public holidays generally affect public administration and ordinary workplace operations across Benin.
However, banks, schools, healthcare services, transport providers and other organizations may apply sector-specific operating arrangements.
Financial institutions may issue separate notices about branch closures, transaction deadlines and banking services.
Schools may also have academic holidays that are separate from the national statutory public holiday calendar.
Some businesses and essential services may continue operating, subject to applicable labour requirements.
Residents and visitors should confirm opening arrangements directly with the relevant institution when planning activities on a public holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Benin?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Benin section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database.
How many public holidays are there in Benin in 2026?
Benin has 14 nationwide statutory public holiday dates in 2026. This includes 12 holidays established under Law No. 90-019 and two paid holiday dates for the Traditional Religions Festival under Law No. 2024-32.
What is Benin's country code?
Benin's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is BJ. This code is used for international identification and structured public holiday databases.
When are Vodun Days public holidays in Benin in 2026?
The statutory Traditional Religions Festival holidays were Thursday, 8 January, and Friday, 9 January 2026. Festival activities could continue beyond these dates, but the government's announcement designated only those two days as the nationwide paid holidays.
When is Eid al-Fitr in Benin in 2026?
Eid al-Fitr was observed as a nationwide public holiday on Friday, 20 March 2026. The date was confirmed through the government's annual religious holiday arrangements.
When is Tabaski in Benin in 2026?
Tabaski, also known as Eid al-Adha, was observed on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. It is a statutory nationwide public holiday under Benin's holiday legislation.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Benin?
Good Friday is not among the nationwide statutory public holidays expressly listed in Law No. 90-019. In 2026, Good Friday fell on 3 April, while Easter Monday on 6 April was the nationally recognized paid holiday.
When is Benin Independence Day in 2026?
Benin's Independence Day fell on Saturday, 1 August 2026. The national holiday commemorates independence from France on 1 August 1960.
Is Women's Day a public holiday in Benin?
Women's Day on 8 March is identified as a national commemorative day under Law No. 90-019, but it is not automatically a statutory paid non-working holiday.
Does Benin provide an extra Monday holiday when a public holiday falls on Sunday?
Benin does not have a general automatic Monday substitution rule applying to every statutory holiday. Any additional non-working day should be supported by applicable legislation or an official government announcement.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Benin
- Government of Benin – Law No. 90-019 of 27 July 1990: Establishes the country's principal statutory public holidays, paid non-working status and separate national commemorative days.
- Government of Benin – Law No. 2024-32 of 2 September 2024: Establishes the Traditional Religions Festival on the second Friday of January and declares that Friday and the preceding Thursday paid non-working holidays.
- Ministry of Labour – Communiqué No. 001/MTFP/DC/SGM/DGT/SA: Confirms nationwide Traditional Religions Festival holidays on 8 and 9 January 2026.
- Ministry of Labour and Public Service – Official Communiqués: Provides annual announcements for religious, national and other statutory public holidays, including the 2026 Islamic and Christian observances.
- Ministry of Labour – Maouloud 2026 Announcement: Confirms 25 August 2026 as a nationwide paid public holiday for Prophet Muhammad's Birthday.
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