Public Holidays in Namibia 2026 – National & Public Holidays

Namibia has 13 nationwide public-holiday dates in 2026. Most are established by the Public Holidays Act, 1990, while 28 May is observed as Genocide Remembrance Day under a later presidential proclamation. Namibia also has a statutory rule that creates an additional Monday public holiday when an existing public holiday falls on a Sunday.

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Next Public Holiday in Namibia

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Public Holidays in Namibia 2026

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How Public Holidays Work in Namibia

The main legal framework for public holidays in Namibia is the Public Holidays Act, 1990 (Act 26 of 1990). Its Schedule identifies the country's statutory public holidays, including New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Workers Day, Cassinga Day, Ascension Day, Africa Day, Heroes Day, Day of the Namibian Women and International Human Rights Day, Christmas Day and Family Day.

The President may also declare additional public holidays by proclamation in the Government Gazette. This mechanism has been used for special or subsequently established public holidays, including Genocide Remembrance Day.

Genocide Remembrance Day in Namibia

Genocide Remembrance Day is observed on 28 May. Presidential Proclamation No. 19 of 2024 declared 28 May to be known as Genocide Remembrance Day and a public holiday with effect from 28 May 2025.

The observance commemorates the victims of the genocide committed against the Ovaherero and Nama peoples during German colonial rule. In 2026, 28 May falls on a Thursday and is included as a nationwide public-holiday date.

Is Easter Sunday a Public Holiday in Namibia?

No. Easter Sunday is not listed as a statutory public holiday in the Schedule to Namibia's Public Holidays Act.

The statutory Easter holidays are Good Friday and Easter Monday. In 2026, Good Friday falls on 3 April and Easter Monday falls on 6 April. Easter Sunday on 5 April should therefore not be added to the nationwide public-holiday database merely because it is a religious observance.

What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on Sunday?

Namibia has a specific statutory substitution rule. When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also a public holiday unless that Monday is already a public holiday.

The rule applies specifically to Sunday. A public holiday falling on Saturday does not automatically create an additional Monday holiday under this provision.

None of the relevant 2026 fixed public holidays creates an additional substitute date under the Sunday rule, so no separate substitute-holiday row is required in the 2026 nationwide table.

Independence Day in Namibia in 2026

Independence Day is observed annually on 21 March and commemorates Namibia's independence in 1990. In 2026, Independence Day falls on Saturday, 21 March.

Because Namibia's statutory substitution provision applies when a holiday falls on Sunday rather than Saturday, no additional Monday holiday arises from Independence Day in 2026.

Cassinga Day in Namibia

Cassinga Day is a statutory public holiday observed annually on 4 May. It commemorates Namibians who died during the attack on Cassinga in Angola in 1978.

In 2026, Cassinga Day falls on Monday, 4 May. There is therefore no separate substitute holiday on 5 May.

Africa Day in Namibia

Africa Day is a statutory Namibian public holiday observed on 25 May. It marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity, the predecessor of the African Union.

In 2026, Africa Day falls on Monday, 25 May, so the holiday does not create a substitute day.

Heroes Day in Namibia

Heroes Day is observed on 26 August and is expressly included in the Public Holidays Act. The day commemorates those who contributed to Namibia's struggle for independence.

In 2026, Heroes Day falls on Wednesday, 26 August.

Day of the Namibian Women and International Human Rights Day

Namibia observes 10 December as the Day of the Namibian Women and International Human Rights Day. The combined official name is established in the Schedule to the Public Holidays Act.

The date links Namibia's commemoration of women affected by the country's liberation struggle with International Human Rights Day. In 2026, the holiday falls on Thursday, 10 December.

Christmas and Family Day in Namibia

Christmas Day is observed on 25 December and Family Day on 26 December. Both are expressly listed as statutory public holidays.

In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday and Family Day falls on Saturday. Family Day does not generate a substitute Monday because Namibia's automatic substitution provision applies only when a public holiday falls on Sunday.

Working on Public Holidays in Namibia

Public-holiday employment is regulated separately under Namibia's Labour Act, 2007. The Act generally restricts employers from requiring or permitting employees to work on a public holiday, subject to specified exceptions for certain types of work and services.

Employees and employers should therefore distinguish between the legal identification of a public holiday under the Public Holidays Act and the employment conditions that apply to work performed on that date under labour legislation.

Long Weekends in Namibia in 2026

Several 2026 public holidays naturally connect with Namibia's usual weekend and may provide longer breaks for employees who ordinarily work Monday to Friday.

• Good Friday and Easter Monday: 3 April and 6 April create a four-day Easter weekend from Friday through Monday.
• Workers Day: Friday, 1 May creates a three-day weekend.
• Cassinga Day: Monday, 4 May follows the weekend and creates a three-day break for employees who receive the holiday off.
• Africa Day: Monday, 25 May creates another three-day weekend.
• Christmas: Friday, 25 December gives many Monday-to-Friday workers a three-day weekend, with Family Day following on Saturday.

These examples describe calendar positioning only and do not create additional statutory public holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many public holidays are there in Namibia in 2026?

There are 13 verified nationwide public-holiday dates in Namibia in 2026, including Genocide Remembrance Day on 28 May.

What law establishes public holidays in Namibia?

The main legislation is the Public Holidays Act, 1990 (Act 26 of 1990). It lists the statutory public holidays and establishes the rule for holidays that fall on Sunday.

Is Genocide Remembrance Day a public holiday in Namibia?

Yes. Presidential Proclamation No. 19 of 2024 declared 28 May to be Genocide Remembrance Day and a public holiday with effect from 28 May 2025.

Is Easter Sunday a public holiday in Namibia?

No. Easter Sunday is not included in the Schedule to the Public Holidays Act. Good Friday and Easter Monday are the statutory Easter public holidays.

Does Namibia provide substitute holidays when a public holiday falls on Sunday?

Yes. When a public holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday is also a public holiday unless that Monday is already a public holiday.

Does a Saturday public holiday move to Monday in Namibia?

No automatic Monday substitute is created merely because a public holiday falls on Saturday. The statutory substitution rule specifically applies to Sunday holidays.

When is Independence Day in Namibia in 2026?

Independence Day is Saturday, 21 March 2026. Because the date falls on Saturday rather than Sunday, it does not create an automatic Monday substitute holiday.

When is Cassinga Day in Namibia in 2026?

Cassinga Day is Monday, 4 May 2026. No additional substitute holiday is required.

When is Africa Day in Namibia in 2026?

Africa Day is Monday, 25 May 2026 and is a statutory nationwide public holiday.

When is Heroes Day in Namibia in 2026?

Heroes Day falls on Wednesday, 26 August 2026.

Is Family Day a public holiday in Namibia?

Yes. Family Day on 26 December is expressly listed as a public holiday in the Public Holidays Act. In 2026 it falls on Saturday.

Official Sources for Public Holidays in Namibia

• Public Holidays Act, 1990 (Act 26 of 1990): establishes Namibia's statutory public holidays and the Sunday substitution rule.
• Government Gazette No. 8373 – Presidential Proclamation No. 19 of 2024: declares 28 May to be Genocide Remembrance Day and a public holiday with effect from 28 May 2025.
• Labour Act, 2007: sets out employment rules applying to work performed on public holidays.