Public holidays in Egypt in 2026 include national commemorations, Coptic Christian celebrations and Islamic religious festivals. Egypt's official holiday schedule also features several rescheduled observances, with certain public holidays moved to Thursdays to provide extended weekends. The Egyptian Presidency publishes the national holiday calendar, while Cabinet decisions and Ministry of Labour announcements establish the applicable dates and employment arrangements.
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The verified 2026 schedule contains 21 holiday dates, including the five-day Eid al-Fitr break and six-day Eid al-Adha period announced for government employees. This guide explains Egypt's official holidays, religious celebrations, observed dates, sector-specific entitlements and long-weekend opportunities.
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Public Holidays in Egypt 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 7, 2026 | Wednesday | Coptic Christmas Day | Confirmed |
| January 29, 2026 | Thursday | January 25 Revolution and Police Day | Confirmed |
| March 19, 2026 | Thursday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Confirmed |
| March 20, 2026 | Friday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Confirmed |
| March 21, 2026 | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Confirmed |
| March 22, 2026 | Sunday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Confirmed |
| March 23, 2026 | Monday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Confirmed |
| April 13, 2026 | Monday | Sham El-Nessim | Confirmed |
| April 25, 2026 | Saturday | Sinai Liberation Day | Confirmed |
| May 7, 2026 | Thursday | Labour Day (Observed) | Confirmed |
| May 26, 2026 | Tuesday | Arafat Day | Confirmed |
| May 27, 2026 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha | Confirmed |
| May 28, 2026 | Thursday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Confirmed |
| May 29, 2026 | Friday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Confirmed |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Confirmed |
| May 31, 2026 | Sunday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Confirmed |
| June 18, 2026 | Thursday | Islamic New Year | Confirmed |
| July 2, 2026 | Thursday | June 30 Revolution Day (Observed) | Confirmed |
| July 23, 2026 | Thursday | July 23 Revolution Day | Confirmed |
| August 27, 2026 | Thursday | Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Mawlid) | Confirmed |
| October 6, 2026 | Tuesday | Armed Forces Day | Confirmed |
The official 2026 calendar includes religious holidays, national anniversaries and government-designated days off. Egypt's principal annual celebrations include Coptic Christmas, Sham El-Nessim, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year and several national commemorations.
The Egyptian Presidency's official holiday calendar provides the national schedule. Later Cabinet announcements confirm replacement dates where an existing holiday is transferred to another day.
The published holiday periods are particularly relevant to public-sector employees. Private-sector workers may receive corresponding paid holidays under separate Ministry of Labour decisions, and bank closures are announced by the Central Bank of Egypt.
National Public Holidays in Egypt
Egypt's national public holidays commemorate important political, military and historical events. Several have fixed annual anniversary dates, although the government may designate a different weekday as the official day off.
January 25 Revolution and Police Day
January 25 Revolution and Police Day recognizes two events in Egyptian history. Police Day commemorates the resistance of Egyptian police officers in Ismailia in 1952, while the January 25 Revolution began in 2011.
The official public holiday was observed on Thursday, 29 January 2026, rather than the anniversary date of Sunday, 25 January.
Sinai Liberation Day
Sinai Liberation Day is commemorated on 25 April. The occasion marks the restoration of Egyptian sovereignty over most of the Sinai Peninsula following Israel's withdrawal in 1982.
In 2026, the anniversary falls on Saturday, 25 April. It remains an important national commemoration recognizing Egypt's history and territorial sovereignty.
Labour Day
Labour Day is normally celebrated on 1 May to recognize workers and their contributions to society and the economy.
In 2026, the Egyptian government officially moved the Labour Day holiday from Friday, 1 May to Thursday, 7 May. The rescheduled date was announced as a paid holiday for covered employees in government institutions, public-sector organizations and the private sector.
June 30 Revolution Day
June 30 Revolution Day commemorates the mass demonstrations of 30 June 2013 and the political developments that followed.
Although the anniversary falls on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, the official holiday was moved to Thursday, 2 July. The government and Ministry of Labour announced the substitute date for covered public-sector and private-sector employees.
July 23 Revolution Day
July 23 Revolution Day commemorates the 1952 Free Officers Movement, which ended the monarchy and led to the establishment of the Egyptian republic.
In 2026, July 23 Revolution Day falls on Thursday, 23 July. The occasion is recognized as a national public holiday.
Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day commemorates the beginning of the October War on 6 October 1973, when Egyptian forces crossed the Suez Canal and launched military operations against Israeli positions in Sinai.
Although the national anniversary remains 6 October, the Cabinet officially designated Thursday, 8 October 2026 as the paid public holiday instead of Tuesday, 6 October.
This later government decision supersedes the original date shown in the Presidency's annual calendar for the purpose of the observed day off.
Islamic Public Holidays in Egypt
Islamic holidays form a major part of Egypt's national calendar. Their religious dates follow the Hijri lunar calendar, so they shift relative to the Gregorian calendar each year.
The government issues official decisions confirming holiday periods and employment arrangements. Religious authorities, including Dar Al-Ifta, are responsible for relevant lunar-date announcements.
Eid al-Fitr 2026
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. It is celebrated with communal prayers, family visits, charitable giving and festive gatherings.
In 2026, the Egyptian Cabinet declared Thursday, 19 March through Monday, 23 March an official five-day paid holiday period for government employees and covered public-sector organizations.
The Ministry of Labour separately announced the same five-day period for employees covered by Labour Law No. 14 of 2025.
Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta confirmed Friday, 20 March 2026 as the first day of Eid al-Fitr following the crescent-moon announcement. The government holiday period therefore began one day before the religious festival.
The official government decision is documented by the State Information Service's Eid al-Fitr holiday announcement.
Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha 2026
Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.
Arafat Day precedes Eid al-Adha and is associated with the gathering of Hajj pilgrims at Mount Arafat near Mecca.
For 2026, the Egyptian government designated Tuesday, 26 May as Arafat Day and Wednesday, 27 May through Sunday, 31 May as the Eid al-Adha holiday period.
The Cabinet's decision established six consecutive paid holiday dates for employees of ministries, government agencies, local administration bodies and public-sector organizations.
Private-sector leave and compensation arrangements should be checked against the corresponding Ministry of Labour provisions.
Islamic New Year 2026
Islamic New Year marks the beginning of Muharram, the first month of the Hijri calendar. The calendar is traditionally associated with the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.
Egypt officially designated Thursday, 18 June 2026 as a paid public holiday for the Islamic New Year, 1448 AH.
The government confirmed the public holiday separately from the religious process used to determine the beginning of the lunar month.
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday 2026
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, also called Mawlid al-Nabi, is an Islamic celebration recognizing the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
The religious anniversary corresponds to 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in the Islamic calendar.
In 2026, the government transferred the official public holiday from Tuesday, 25 August to Thursday, 27 August. The Cabinet announcement confirmed Thursday as the designated paid day off for covered public-sector employees.
The Central Bank of Egypt also announced that banks would close on 27 August, with operations resuming on Sunday, 30 August.
Christian and Traditional Public Holidays in Egypt
Egypt recognizes important Coptic Christian celebrations alongside Islamic holidays and national commemorations. These include Coptic Christmas and Sham El-Nessim, a traditional spring festival celebrated across Egyptian society.
Coptic Christmas Day
Coptic Christmas is celebrated on 7 January and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Coptic Orthodox liturgical calendar.
It is a nationwide public holiday in Egypt, not merely an observance for Coptic Christians.
In 2026, Coptic Christmas Day falls on Wednesday, 7 January. Religious services and family gatherings are central to the occasion.
Sham El-Nessim
Sham El-Nessim is an ancient Egyptian spring festival celebrated on the Monday following Coptic Easter. Its traditions predate Christianity and continue as part of Egypt's broader cultural heritage.
In 2026, Sham El-Nessim falls on Monday, 13 April. Families traditionally mark the occasion with outdoor gatherings, picnics and seasonal foods.
Although its modern calendar date is linked to Coptic Easter, Sham El-Nessim is widely celebrated across religious communities as a national spring holiday.
Observed and Rescheduled Public Holidays in Egypt
Egypt sometimes transfers the official day off associated with a fixed-date national celebration to another weekday. These adjustments are made through government decisions and may create longer weekends.
In 2026, several public holidays were rescheduled:
- January 25 Revolution and Police Day: Observed on Thursday, 29 January.
- Labour Day: Observed on Thursday, 7 May instead of Friday, 1 May.
- June 30 Revolution Day: Observed on Thursday, 2 July instead of Tuesday, 30 June.
- Prophet Muhammad's Birthday: Observed on Thursday, 27 August instead of Tuesday, 25 August.
- Armed Forces Day: Observed on Thursday, 8 October instead of Tuesday, 6 October.
These changes illustrate why the original anniversary date and the actual government-designated holiday should not be treated as interchangeable.
The official observed date should be based on the most recent applicable Cabinet decision and sector-specific announcement, rather than an outdated annual calendar entry.
Public-Sector and Private-Sector Holiday Rules in Egypt
Egyptian holiday arrangements vary according to the employee's sector and the legal decision covering a particular holiday.
Government and Public-Sector Employees
Cabinet holiday decisions commonly apply to ministries, government departments, public authorities, local administrative units, public-sector companies and public business-sector companies.
For Eid al-Fitr in 2026, the government designated a five-day paid holiday period. For Eid al-Adha and Arafat Day, it designated six consecutive calendar dates.
Some public services and scheduled examinations may continue operating under arrangements determined by the competent authorities.
Private-Sector Employees
Private-sector holiday entitlements are governed by applicable employment legislation and Ministry of Labour decisions.
Egypt's Labour Law No. 14 of 2025 provides the framework for workers covered by that legislation. The Ministry of Labour issues circulars identifying the holidays and arrangements applicable to eligible private-sector employees.
In 2026, the Ministry separately confirmed the Eid al-Fitr holiday period and several rescheduled national holidays for private-sector employees.
Employees required to work on an official paid holiday may be entitled to additional compensation or an alternative day off under the applicable labour provisions. The precise entitlement should be determined from the relevant legal rule and ministerial announcement.
Bank Holidays in Egypt in 2026
Bank closures are determined through announcements from the Central Bank of Egypt. Although banking holidays often coincide with national holidays, the precise closure and reopening dates should be verified independently.
For Eid al-Fitr in 2026, the Central Bank announced that banks would close from Thursday, 19 March through Monday, 23 March, reopening on Tuesday, 24 March.
For Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, the Central Bank designated Thursday, 27 August as a bank holiday, with banking operations resuming on Sunday, 30 August.
Customers planning time-sensitive transactions should consult the Central Bank of Egypt and their financial institution's official notices for the applicable operating schedule.
Long Weekends in Egypt in 2026
Egypt generally follows a Friday-Saturday weekend for government offices and many other institutions. Several 2026 holidays therefore create extended breaks without requiring additional annual leave.
- January 25 Revolution and Police Day: The observed holiday on Thursday, 29 January creates a potential three-day break through Saturday, 31 January.
- Eid al-Fitr: The official five-day holiday runs from Thursday, 19 March through Monday, 23 March.
- Sham El-Nessim: Monday, 13 April may be combined with annual leave on Sunday to extend the preceding weekend.
- Labour Day: Thursday, 7 May creates a potential Thursday-to-Saturday break.
- Eid al-Adha: The government holiday period covers Tuesday, 26 May through Sunday, 31 May, including Arafat Day.
- Islamic New Year: Thursday, 18 June creates a potential three-day weekend.
- June 30 Revolution Day: Thursday, 2 July creates a potential three-day weekend.
- July 23 Revolution Day: Thursday, 23 July connects with the regular Friday-Saturday weekend.
- Prophet Muhammad's Birthday: Thursday, 27 August creates a potential three-day weekend.
- Armed Forces Day: Thursday, 8 October creates a potential three-day weekend.
Actual leave arrangements depend on the employee's working schedule and whether the relevant public holiday applies to their sector. Suggested annual-leave extensions are not additional government-declared holidays.
Are Government Offices, Banks and Schools Closed on Public Holidays?
Government Offices
Government offices generally close on officially designated public holidays unless they provide essential services or operate under special arrangements. The applicable Cabinet decision determines the scope of the closure.
Banks and Financial Institutions
Banks follow closure notices issued by the Central Bank of Egypt. Branch services may be unavailable during announced holidays, although certain electronic services may continue operating.
Schools and Universities
Schools and universities follow educational calendars and instructions issued by the responsible authorities. Public holidays may affect classes and administrative operations, while scheduled examinations can remain in place when expressly permitted by the relevant decision.
Private Businesses
Retail businesses, hotels, restaurants, transport providers and other private establishments may remain open during public holidays. Employee compensation and leave arrangements remain subject to applicable labour legislation.
Who Announces Official Public Holidays in Egypt?
Egypt's public holiday dates are established and communicated through several official institutions.
The Egyptian Presidency publishes the national holiday calendar. The Prime Minister and Cabinet issue decisions specifying paid holidays, multi-day leave periods and rescheduled observances.
The Ministry of Labour provides instructions for covered private-sector employees, while the Central Bank of Egypt separately announces banking closures.
For Islamic observances, the Egyptian Dar Al-Ifta is an important religious authority responsible for relevant lunar-calendar determinations.
When a later government decision changes the holiday date shown in the annual calendar, the directly applicable updated decision should be used for scheduling purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Egypt?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Egypt section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday from the VisaBoards public holiday database.
What is Egypt's country code?
Egypt's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is EG.
How many public holiday dates are there in Egypt in 2026?
Egypt's verified 2026 government holiday schedule contains 21 dates when the multi-day Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holiday periods are counted individually. This total reflects government-declared holiday periods and observed dates rather than counting only distinct holiday names.
When is Coptic Christmas in Egypt in 2026?
Coptic Christmas falls on Wednesday, 7 January 2026. It is recognized as a nationwide public holiday in Egypt.
When is Eid al-Fitr in Egypt in 2026?
The government-declared Eid al-Fitr holiday period runs from Thursday, 19 March through Monday, 23 March 2026. Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta confirmed Friday, 20 March as the first religious day of Eid al-Fitr.
When is Eid al-Adha in Egypt in 2026?
Eid al-Adha begins on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. The government declared a six-day holiday period from Tuesday, 26 May through Sunday, 31 May, including Arafat Day.
When is Sham El-Nessim in Egypt in 2026?
Sham El-Nessim falls on Monday, 13 April 2026. It is a traditional spring festival observed as a national public holiday.
Why are some Egyptian public holidays moved to Thursdays?
The government sometimes reschedules a fixed-date national holiday to Thursday to create a longer break alongside the regular Friday-Saturday weekend. Such changes require an official decision and do not automatically apply to every holiday.
Is 6 October or 8 October the Armed Forces Day holiday in 2026?
Armed Forces Day is commemorated annually on 6 October. However, the Egyptian Cabinet designated Thursday, 8 October 2026 as the official paid holiday instead of Tuesday, 6 October.
Do private-sector employees receive the same Eid holidays as government employees?
Not automatically. Government and public-sector holiday periods are established by Cabinet decisions, while private-sector entitlements depend on applicable labour legislation and Ministry of Labour announcements. For Eid al-Fitr in 2026, the Ministry confirmed the same five-day period for covered private-sector employees.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Egypt
- Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt – National Holidays 2026: Provides the official annual calendar of national and religious public holidays.
- Egyptian Cabinet – Eid al-Fitr Holiday Decision: Confirms the five-day public-sector holiday from 19 to 23 March 2026.
- Ministry of Labour – Eid al-Fitr Private-Sector Holiday Announcement: Confirms the applicable five-day paid holiday for workers covered by the Labour Law.
- Egyptian Cabinet – Labour Day 2026: Confirms the rescheduled Labour Day holiday on 7 May.
- Egyptian Cabinet – Islamic New Year Holiday: Confirms the official holiday on 18 June 2026.
- Egyptian Cabinet – Prophet Muhammad's Birthday: Confirms the transferred holiday on 27 August 2026.
- Egyptian Cabinet – Armed Forces Day 2026: Confirms that the October holiday was transferred to Thursday, 8 October.
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