Cameroon has 10 nationwide public holiday dates listed for 2026, covering civil celebrations and Christian and Islamic religious festivals. These include Youth Day, National Day, Labour Day, Christmas and the two major Islamic festivals. The country’s holiday system is governed by legislation that distinguishes civil holidays from religious holidays, while certain additional days off require presidential authorization. This guide explains the 2026 holiday calendar, religious date confirmations, workplace rules and long weekends.
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Next Public Holiday in Cameroon
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Officially Scheduled |
Public Holidays in Cameroon 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Confirmed |
| February 11, 2026 | Wednesday | Youth Day | Confirmed |
| March 20, 2026 | Friday | Eid al-Fitr (Djouldé Soumaé) | Confirmed |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Confirmed |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day | Confirmed |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Ascension Day | Confirmed |
| May 20, 2026 | Wednesday | National Day | Confirmed |
| May 27, 2026 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha (Tabaski) | Confirmed |
| August 15, 2026 | Saturday | Assumption Day | Officially Scheduled |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Officially Scheduled |
The 2026 public holiday calendar includes four civil holidays and six religious holidays. Civil holidays generally occur on fixed calendar dates, while some religious celebrations move from year to year. Islamic festival dates depend on the religious calendar and applicable announcements.
The legal framework is established by Law No. 73/5 of 7 December 1973, as amended by Law No. 76/8 of 8 July 1976. The 2026 dates are also documented in the U.S. International Trade Administration's Cameroon Country Commercial Guide.
National and Civil Holidays in Cameroon
Cameroon's four civil public holidays are New Year's Day, Youth Day, Labour Day and National Day. These holidays commemorate the beginning of the calendar year, the role of young people, workers and national unity.
Youth Day in Cameroon
Youth Day is celebrated annually on 11 February. The holiday recognizes young people's contribution to Cameroon's development and future. Schools and youth organizations commonly participate in activities highlighting education, citizenship and national responsibility.
Labour Day in Cameroon
Labour Day falls on 1 May each year. It recognizes workers and their contributions to economic and social development. The occasion is associated with labour organizations, workplace discussions and public celebrations.
Cameroon National Day
National Day is celebrated annually on 20 May. It commemorates the 1972 referendum and the establishment of the unitary state, replacing Cameroon's former federal structure.
National Day celebrations commonly include military parades, civilian processions and official ceremonies. The Presidency of Cameroon documented the 20 May 2026 celebrations, including the national parade in Yaoundé marking the 54th anniversary of the unitary state.
Religious Public Holidays in Cameroon
Cameroon's recognized religious holidays include Christian and Islamic observances. Under the amended legal framework, the six religious holidays are Good Friday, Ascension Day, Assumption Day, Christmas Day, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Christian Public Holidays
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and takes place on the Friday before Easter Sunday. Ascension Day is observed 39 days after Easter Sunday and commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ.
Assumption Day is observed annually on 15 August, while Christmas Day is celebrated on 25 December. Good Friday and Ascension Day change dates each year because they follow the Christian Easter calendar.
Islamic Public Holidays
Cameroon officially recognizes two major Islamic festivals: Eid al-Fitr, locally known as Djouldé Soumaé, and Eid al-Adha, also called Tabaski or Djouldé Laihadji.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. The 2026 holiday is listed for 20 March in the U.S. International Trade Administration's country guide and major holiday calendars. However, the original announcement from Cameroon's competent religious authority was not independently located, so the underlying official confirmation should be retained with the database record.
Eid al-Adha commemorates the Islamic tradition of sacrifice and is observed during the pilgrimage season. In 2026, the Central African Stock Exchange's official notice explicitly identified 27 May as a non-working public holiday throughout Cameroon.
How Are Islamic Holiday Dates Confirmed in Cameroon?
Islamic holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar rather than fixed Gregorian dates. Their timing can depend on religious moon-sighting announcements, meaning that dates appearing in advance calendars may initially be provisional.
For planning purposes, estimated festival dates should be distinguished from dates confirmed through official announcements. Government institutions, employers and organizations may communicate operational arrangements once the relevant date has been established.
The 2026 Eid al-Adha date has direct institutional confirmation through the BVMAC notice. For Eid al-Fitr, the published 20 March date is supported by government-issued secondary calendar information, but a direct original Cameroonian declaration was not established in the available source review.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Cameroon?
Cameroon's public holiday legislation distinguishes between civil and religious holidays when defining compulsory work cessation and related employment obligations.
Law No. 73/5 of 7 December 1973, as amended by Law No. 76/8 of 8 July 1976, establishes compulsory cessation of work for civil public holidays, subject to statutory exceptions. Religious holidays are subject to different provisions, including specific rules concerning adult workers.
Whether an employee is entitled to payment, must work, or receives compensation for work performed on a holiday depends on the applicable legislation, employment arrangements and circumstances. Workers and employers should consult the relevant legal provisions rather than assuming that every holiday carries identical employment rights.
Does Cameroon Give Substitute Public Holidays?
Cameroon does not operate an unconditional rule automatically transferring every weekend public holiday to the following Monday.
Under the amended holiday legislation, the President may declare additional public holidays in specified circumstances. These include a day following a religious holiday that falls on a Sunday or another public holiday, and a day adjacent to certain holidays falling on a Tuesday or Friday.
Such additional days require an applicable declaration. A bridge day or replacement holiday should not be treated as officially granted merely because a public holiday falls near a weekend.
Long Weekends in Cameroon in 2026
Several 2026 holidays provide opportunities for extended breaks for people who normally work Monday to Friday.
- Eid al-Fitr: Friday, 20 March, creates a potential three-day weekend through Sunday, 22 March.
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April, creates a three-day weekend through Easter Sunday, 5 April.
- Labour Day: Friday, 1 May, creates a three-day weekend through Sunday, 3 May.
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December, creates a three-day weekend through Sunday, 27 December.
Ascension Day falls on Thursday, 14 May. Employees with suitable leave arrangements could extend the break by requesting Friday, 15 May, as annual leave, but that Friday is not automatically a public holiday.
These examples assume a Saturday-Sunday weekend. Cameroon has workplaces that operate on Saturdays, so the practical length of a break depends on the employee's regular working schedule. No additional bridge days are assumed to be official holidays.
Are Banks and Government Offices Closed on Public Holidays?
Government offices generally suspend ordinary public services on nationwide public holidays. However, essential services and specially scheduled operations may continue.
Bank branches and financial institutions may also close or modify their services during public holidays. Their arrangements should be checked directly, particularly for transfers, transactions and time-sensitive financial activities.
For example, the Central African Stock Exchange announced that trading would be suspended on 27 May 2026 for Eid al-Adha and would resume on 28 May. This notice confirms the exchange's arrangements but should not be interpreted as a separate operating notice for every commercial bank.
Are Schools and Businesses Closed on Public Holidays?
Public holidays can affect school attendance, administrative services and business opening hours. Schools generally incorporate recognized public holidays into their academic schedules, but school-specific calendars and examination arrangements should be consulted.
Private businesses may have different operating requirements, especially in retail, transport, hospitality and essential services. A public holiday does not necessarily mean that every shop or service provider closes.
Families, students and employers should check school calendars and relevant institutional announcements before making arrangements that depend on a particular closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Cameroon?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Cameroon section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database.
How many public holidays are there in Cameroon in 2026?
Cameroon's 2026 nationwide calendar contains 10 public holiday dates: four civil holidays and six religious holidays. This count excludes ordinary observances, regional events and additional days that would require a separate official declaration.
What is Cameroon's country code?
Cameroon's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is CM. This two-letter code is used in international country identification and structured public holiday databases.
When is Cameroon National Day celebrated?
Cameroon celebrates National Day on 20 May every year. The occasion commemorates the creation of the unitary state following the 1972 referendum and is marked by official national celebrations.
Is Youth Day a public holiday in Cameroon?
Yes. Youth Day is an official civil public holiday celebrated nationwide on 11 February. It recognizes the importance of young people in Cameroon's social and national development.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Cameroon?
Yes. Good Friday is one of Cameroon's legally recognized religious public holidays. In 2026, Good Friday falls on 3 April.
When is Eid al-Fitr in Cameroon in 2026?
Eid al-Fitr is listed for Friday, 20 March 2026, in published Cameroon holiday calendars, including the U.S. International Trade Administration's country guide. Its original direct Cameroonian confirmation notice was not independently located in the available review.
Does Cameroon automatically provide a Monday holiday when a public holiday falls on Sunday?
No automatic nationwide Monday substitution should be assumed. The amended holiday legislation permits the President to declare additional public holidays under specified circumstances. The relevant declaration determines whether an additional day off applies.
Are all religious holidays treated the same as civil holidays under Cameroonian labour law?
No. Cameroon's amended public holiday legislation distinguishes civil from religious holidays and establishes different rules for compulsory work cessation. Employment obligations should be assessed under the applicable legal provisions.
Is the Prophet's Birthday a nationwide public holiday in Cameroon?
The Prophet's Birthday is not among the six religious public holidays specified in the amended 1973 holiday law. It should not be added to the nationwide statutory holiday schedule without a separate applicable official declaration.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Cameroon
- Cameroon Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reform: Legal texts and legislation relevant to the country's public holiday framework.
- Presidency of Cameroon: 20 May 2026 National Day celebrations, documenting the official national commemoration.
- Central African Stock Exchange (BVMAC): Official notice No. 035/2026, confirming the nationwide Eid al-Adha holiday on 27 May 2026.
- U.S. International Trade Administration: Cameroon Country Commercial Guide, containing a published list of Cameroon's 2026 public holiday dates.
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