Published holiday calendars list 14 nationwide public holidays in the Central African Republic in 2026, including national commemorations, Christian celebrations and Islamic festivals. Important observances include Barthélemy Boganda Day, Independence Day, Republic Day, Easter Monday, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
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The published calendar includes 12 fixed-date or Christian-calendar holidays and two Islamic celebrations whose dates follow the lunar calendar. Although major holiday calendars agree on the 2026 dates, a comprehensive official government calendar confirming the complete schedule has not been established.
This guide covers the published public holiday dates for 2026, major national and religious celebrations, long weekends and practical information about holiday arrangements.
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Next Public Holiday in Central African Republic
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Sunday | All Saints' Day | Expected |
Public Holidays in Central African Republic 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Expected |
| March 20, 2026 | Friday | Eid al-Fitr (Korité) | Subject to Confirmation |
| March 29, 2026 | Sunday | Barthélemy Boganda Day | Expected |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | Expected |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day | Expected |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Ascension Day | Expected |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Whit Monday | Expected |
| May 27, 2026 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha (Tabaski) | Subject to Confirmation |
| June 30, 2026 | Tuesday | National Prayer Day | Expected |
| August 13, 2026 | Thursday | Independence Day | Expected |
| August 15, 2026 | Saturday | Assumption of Mary | Expected |
| November 1, 2026 | Sunday | All Saints' Day | Expected |
| December 1, 2026 | Tuesday | Republic Day | Expected |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Expected |
Published 2026 calendars identify 14 nationwide public holidays in the Central African Republic. These include historical commemorations, national celebrations and religious observances.
The calendar contains both fixed-date holidays and moveable religious celebrations. Christian holidays associated with Easter are calculated using the Christian liturgical calendar, while Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha follow the Islamic lunar calendar.
The published dates can be checked against the Time and Date 2026 calendar and the PublicHolidays.africa holiday schedule. These are secondary calendar references rather than official government declarations.
The two Islamic holiday dates should be treated as provisional unless confirmed by the relevant national authorities.
How Public Holidays Work in the Central African Republic
Public holidays in the Central African Republic are commonly referred to as jours fériés. The published national calendar reflects a combination of civic commemorations, Christian observances and Islamic festivals.
The country recognizes holidays connected with its political history, national independence and religious traditions.
Some holidays occur on the same Gregorian calendar date every year. Others move annually according to Easter or the Islamic lunar calendar.
Fixed-Date Public Holidays
Fixed-date holidays are observed on established calendar dates. Examples include New Year's Day, Barthélemy Boganda Day, Labour Day, National Prayer Day, Independence Day, Republic Day and Christmas Day.
Although their dates are predictable, specific substitute holiday arrangements should not be assumed without supporting legislation or a government announcement.
Moveable Religious Holidays
Moveable religious holidays change dates from year to year.
Easter Monday, Ascension Day and Whit Monday are determined by the date of Easter. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are linked to the Islamic lunar calendar and may require confirmation through religious or government announcements.
National and Historical Holidays in the Central African Republic
Several holidays commemorate important events and figures in the country's history. Among the most prominent are Barthélemy Boganda Day, Independence Day and Republic Day.
Barthélemy Boganda Day – March 29
Barthélemy Boganda Day is observed on March 29 in memory of Barthélemy Boganda, a central figure in the country's movement toward self-government and independence.
Boganda was an influential political leader who advocated for the political development and unity of the Central African Republic.
He died in an aircraft accident on March 29, 1959, before the country achieved full independence.
In 2026, March 29 falls on Sunday. No nationwide Monday substitute for this annual commemoration has been independently verified.
Independence Day – August 13
The Central African Republic celebrates Independence Day on August 13 each year.
The holiday commemorates the country's independence from France on August 13, 1960.
Independence Day is one of the country's principal civic celebrations and is associated with national commemorations and public ceremonies.
In 2026, August 13 falls on Thursday.
Republic Day – December 1
Republic Day, also known as Fête Nationale, is celebrated on December 1.
It commemorates the proclamation of the Central African Republic on December 1, 1958, when the territory became an autonomous republic within the French Community.
This event preceded the country's full independence in August 1960.
In 2026, Republic Day falls on Tuesday, December 1.
National Prayer Day in Central African Republic
National Prayer Day is listed as a nationwide public holiday on June 30.
The observance reflects the importance of religion and prayer in the country's public and community life.
In 2026, National Prayer Day falls on Tuesday, June 30.
The date appears consistently in published holiday calendars, although a primary government document establishing its precise statutory provisions has not been independently verified.
Christian Public Holidays in Central African Republic
Christian celebrations form a significant part of the country's published holiday calendar. These include Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Assumption of Mary, All Saints' Day and Christmas Day.
Easter Monday 2026
Easter Monday falls on April 6, 2026.
The holiday follows Easter Sunday, which falls on April 5 in 2026.
For people whose normal rest days are Saturday and Sunday, Easter Monday creates a three-day weekend.
Ascension Day 2026
Ascension Day is a Christian celebration commemorating the ascension of Jesus Christ.
It occurs 39 days after Easter Sunday and therefore changes its Gregorian date each year.
In 2026, Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 14.
Whit Monday 2026
Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, follows Pentecost Sunday.
It is observed in the Christian calendar as part of the Pentecost period.
In 2026, Whit Monday falls on May 25, creating a potential three-day weekend for employees who normally do not work on Saturdays and Sundays.
Assumption of Mary
The Assumption of Mary is observed on August 15 and commemorates the Christian belief in Mary's assumption into heaven.
In 2026, August 15 falls on Saturday.
All Saints' Day
All Saints' Day is observed on November 1 and honours Christian saints.
In 2026, the holiday falls on Sunday.
No additional nationwide substitute holiday on Monday, November 2, has been reliably established in the reviewed 2026 calendar sources.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is observed annually on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
In 2026, Christmas falls on Friday, providing a potential three-day weekend for employees with a conventional Monday-to-Friday working schedule.
Islamic Public Holidays in Central African Republic
Islamic religious observances are also included in the published national holiday calendar.
The two principal Islamic public holidays are Eid al-Fitr, locally called Korité, and Eid al-Adha, commonly called Tabaski.
Both follow the Islamic lunar calendar. Their Gregorian dates move approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year, and the exact observed date may depend on religious or government confirmation.
Eid al-Fitr (Korité) 2026
Eid al-Fitr marks the conclusion of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.
The festival is associated with communal prayers, family gatherings, charitable giving and celebrations marking the end of the fasting period.
Published 2026 holiday calendars list Eid al-Fitr on Friday, March 20.
Although this date appears consistently in major calendar references, a directly verifiable Central African government declaration confirming the precise public holiday date has not been established.
Eid al-Adha (Tabaski) 2026
Eid al-Adha, commonly known as Tabaski, is an important Islamic religious celebration.
The festival commemorates the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice in obedience to God.
It is associated with communal prayers, charitable giving and family gatherings.
Published calendars list Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
The published date should be distinguished from a fully verified national government holiday declaration. The official announcement should be consulted when confirming employment or administrative arrangements.
Long Weekends in Central African Republic in 2026
Several published holiday dates fall on Fridays or Mondays in 2026, creating opportunities for three-day weekends for employees who normally rest on Saturdays and Sundays.
Published Three-Day Holiday Weekends
- March 20–22: Eid al-Fitr weekend, subject to official holiday-date confirmation.
- April 4–6: Easter Monday weekend.
- May 1–3: Labour Day weekend.
- May 23–25: Whit Monday weekend.
- December 25–27: Christmas weekend.
These periods combine published holiday dates with ordinary weekend rest days. They should not be interpreted as additional officially declared holidays.
Planning Annual Leave Around Public Holidays
Employees may be able to use approved annual leave to extend breaks around public holidays.
For example, taking an approved day of leave after a Thursday holiday may create a longer period away from work.
Such arrangements depend on individual employment conditions, applicable labour regulations and employer approval. They do not create additional statutory public holidays.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Central African Republic?
Public holiday entitlements in the Central African Republic are governed by applicable labour legislation and the legal instruments establishing particular holidays.
However, the published 2026 holiday calendars do not establish the precise payment classification or compensation rules for every listed holiday.
It would therefore be inaccurate to assume that all 14 published dates automatically provide identical paid-leave entitlements.
Employers and employees should consult the current Labour Code, any applicable implementing decrees and relevant employment agreements to determine pay and rest-day obligations.
Are Banks and Government Offices Closed on Public Holidays?
Many government offices and conventional banking branches may suspend normal public-facing services on nationally recognized public holidays.
However, operating schedules and the availability of essential services can vary by institution.
Digital banking, certain financial services, healthcare and other essential operations may continue under separate arrangements.
Residents should verify branch hours and government appointment schedules directly with the relevant institution.
Are Shops, Schools and Businesses Open on Public Holidays?
Public holidays may affect the operating schedules of schools, administrative offices, shops and private businesses.
Some retail businesses, hotels, restaurants and essential service providers may continue operating, depending on their individual schedules and applicable employment requirements.
School holidays and academic breaks are not necessarily identical to the nationwide public holiday calendar.
Parents and students should consult their educational institution for the applicable academic timetable.
Substitute and Special Public Holidays
Some countries provide additional substitute holidays when a public holiday falls on a Sunday. However, no general substitute-day rule applicable to all 2026 public holidays in the Central African Republic has been reliably established from the available primary sources.
Barthélemy Boganda Day falls on Sunday, March 29, and All Saints' Day falls on Sunday, November 1.
The published recurring calendar does not independently establish replacement holidays on March 30 or November 2 for these observances.
Special one-off holidays may also be announced separately from the regular annual calendar. Such dates require their own official legal or administrative confirmation and should not automatically be added to the recurring public holiday schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Central African Republic?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Central African Republic section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database and its recorded date statuses.
What is Central African Republic's country code?
The Central African Republic's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is CF. This code is used in international identification systems and structured public holiday databases.
How many public holidays are there in Central African Republic in 2026?
Published calendars list 14 nationwide public holidays in the Central African Republic for 2026. This includes 12 fixed-date or Christian-calendar observances and two Islamic holidays. The full 14-date schedule has not been independently confirmed against a comprehensive government-issued calendar.
When is Eid al-Fitr in Central African Republic in 2026?
Published 2026 calendars list Eid al-Fitr, also called Korité, on Friday, March 20. The precise national holiday date should be checked against an official government or religious authority announcement.
When is Eid al-Adha in Central African Republic in 2026?
Eid al-Adha, also called Tabaski, is listed on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in published holiday calendars. Direct government confirmation of the date remains necessary for a strictly official holiday database.
When is Independence Day in Central African Republic?
Independence Day is observed on August 13 each year. The date commemorates the Central African Republic's independence from France on August 13, 1960. In 2026, it falls on Thursday.
What is Barthélemy Boganda Day?
Barthélemy Boganda Day is observed on March 29 in memory of the political leader Barthélemy Boganda, who died on March 29, 1959. In 2026, the commemorative date falls on Sunday.
When is Republic Day in Central African Republic?
Republic Day is observed on December 1 each year. It commemorates the proclamation of the Central African Republic as an autonomous republic in 1958. In 2026, it falls on Tuesday.
Is National Prayer Day a public holiday in Central African Republic?
National Prayer Day appears in published nationwide holiday calendars on June 30. In 2026, the date falls on Tuesday. The underlying statutory designation should be independently checked against an authoritative national source.
Are public holidays paid in Central African Republic?
Public holiday pay and employee rest entitlements depend on the applicable labour legislation, holiday regulations and employment arrangements. The published 2026 calendar alone does not establish identical payment rights for every listed holiday.
Sources for Public Holidays in Central African Republic
The following published calendar sources provide the 2026 dates used in this guide. They are secondary references and should not be treated as replacements for government legislation or official public holiday announcements.
- Time and Date – Central African Republic Holidays 2026: Provides the published 2026 holiday dates, weekday information and classifications.
- Office Holidays – Central African Republic 2026: Provides a comparative national holiday calendar.
- PublicHolidays.africa – Jours fériés 2026: Provides a French-language list of 2026 national holidays, including Korité and Tabaski.
- Calendarific – Central African Republic 2026: Offers a further reference for published holiday classifications and dates.
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