Public holidays in the Republic of the Congo in 2026 include national commemorations, Christian religious holidays and additional paid rest days declared by the government. The country, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, has nine recurring statutory holidays under Law No. 2-94 of March 1, 1994, alongside special holidays announced by ministerial order.
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The 2026 holiday calendar includes 11 verified nationwide paid holiday dates: nine recurring statutory holidays and two additional government-declared days. The schedule below covers official dates, holiday classifications and the rules affecting workers, businesses and public services.
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Next Public Holiday in Republic of the Congo
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Sunday | All Saints' Day | Confirmed |
Public Holidays in Republic of the Congo 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Confirmed |
| January 2, 2026 | Friday | Additional New Year Holiday | Confirmed |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | Confirmed |
| April 16, 2026 | Thursday | Special Government-Declared Paid Rest Day | Confirmed |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day | Confirmed |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Ascension Day | Confirmed |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Whit Monday (Pentecost Monday) | Confirmed |
| June 10, 2026 | Wednesday | Commemoration of the Sovereign National Conference | Confirmed |
| August 15, 2026 | Saturday | National Day (Independence Day) | Confirmed |
| November 1, 2026 | Sunday | All Saints' Day | Confirmed |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Confirmed |
The principal legal basis for public holidays is Law No. 2-94 of March 1, 1994, which establishes nine recurring nationwide paid holidays. The law also permits the Minister responsible for Labour to declare additional days off for important events.
In 2026, two additional nationwide paid rest days were established through ministerial orders. These exceptional dates are included in the public holiday schedule because they were expressly declared non-working and paid across the national territory.
How Public Holidays Work in the Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo uses the French legal expression jours fériés, chômés et payés for holidays that are legally recognized as non-working and paid days. Its public holiday system combines fixed-date national celebrations with Christian holidays whose dates change each year.
Article 1 of Law No. 2-94 establishes the recurring holiday calendar. Article 2 allows the government to declare additional days through an order issued by the minister responsible for Labour.
This distinction matters because an exceptional holiday declared for 2026 does not automatically become an annual public holiday in future years.
National Holidays and Commemorations
National Day and Independence Day
National Day is celebrated on August 15 each year, commemorating the Republic of the Congo's independence from France on August 15, 1960. It is one of the country's principal national celebrations and is expressly recognized as a paid public holiday under Law No. 2-94.
In 2026, National Day falls on Saturday, August 15. The holiday retains its statutory status even though it coincides with the weekend.
Commemoration of the Sovereign National Conference
June 10 commemorates the Sovereign National Conference, a significant event in the Republic of the Congo's political history. The conference concluded on June 10, 1991, and is associated with the country's transition toward political pluralism and national reconciliation.
This commemoration is explicitly included among the nine recurring statutory holidays. The Ministry of Public Service's statutory events information provides additional historical context.
Republic Day on November 28
Republic Day commemorates November 28, 1958, when the former Middle Congo became an autonomous republic within the French Community. The date is recognized as an important national commemoration by the Ministry of Public Service.
However, November 28 is not included in the nine paid public holidays listed in Article 1 of Law No. 2-94. Although some commercial holiday calendars classify Republic Day as a public holiday, a separate applicable legal declaration establishing nationwide paid leave for November 28, 2026 has not been verified. It is therefore excluded from the verified paid holiday schedule.
Religious Public Holidays in the Republic of the Congo
Several statutory public holidays follow the Christian calendar. Easter Monday, Ascension Day and Whit Monday move each year because their dates are calculated in relation to Easter Sunday.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is a nationwide statutory public holiday. It falls on the day after Easter Sunday and is recognized under Law No. 2-94. In 2026, Easter Monday falls on April 6.
Ascension Day
Ascension Day commemorates the Christian belief in the ascension of Jesus Christ. It falls on a Thursday, 39 days after Easter Sunday, and is recognized as a paid public holiday. In 2026, Ascension Day falls on May 14.
Whit Monday (Pentecost Monday)
Whit Monday follows Pentecost Sunday and is included in the statutory holiday framework. In 2026, it falls on May 25.
The government expressly reaffirmed its paid public holiday status in an announcement dated May 22, 2026, reported by the Congolese Information Agency. The announcement also confirmed that Tuesday, May 26 was a normal working day.
All Saints' Day and Christmas Day
All Saints' Day is observed on November 1, while Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25. Both are recurring statutory public holidays.
All Saints' Day falls on Sunday in 2026, whereas Christmas Day falls on Friday. Their legal status does not depend on the weekday on which they occur.
Special Government-Declared Holidays in 2026
In addition to the standing holiday calendar, the government may declare exceptional paid non-working days through ministerial orders.
Additional New Year Holiday – January 2
Friday, January 2, 2026 was declared a paid non-working day throughout the Republic of the Congo under Ministerial Order No. 6076 of December 31, 2025.
The declaration was published in Official Gazette No. 2 of January 8, 2026. It extended the New Year holiday period without permanently adding January 2 to the recurring statutory calendar.
Special Paid Rest Day – April 16
Thursday, April 16, 2026 was declared a nationwide paid non-working day under Ministerial Order No. 681 of April 14, 2026.
The declaration appears in Official Gazette No. 16 of April 16, 2026. The order confirms that the paid rest day applied throughout the national territory, while essential services were required to maintain staffing.
Both special dates demonstrate why an annual statutory holiday calendar may need to be supplemented with official government announcements.
Are Public Holidays Paid in the Republic of the Congo?
Yes. Law No. 2-94 recognizes designated public holidays as paid non-working days. Its provisions establish the statutory holiday framework and address remuneration in connection with paid rest days.
The law also refers to existing employment regulations for matters concerning remuneration, overtime and compensation. Employees required to work on a holiday should consult the applicable labour rules, employment contracts and sector-specific arrangements rather than assume a single premium rate applies to every situation.
Are Banks, Government Offices and Businesses Closed?
Public holidays generally affect the normal operation of government offices, financial institutions and many private businesses. However, a legally declared paid rest day does not require every essential service to cease operating.
The official orders establishing January 2 and April 16 as paid non-working days expressly required staffing arrangements for services including:
- Banks and essential financial services
- Hospitals, clinics and pharmacies
- Public and air transport
- Food shops and bakeries
- Hotels and restaurants
- Fuel stations
- Water, energy and telecommunications services
- Other services essential to the population
These provisions mean that some businesses and essential service providers may continue operating during a public holiday. Customers should confirm individual opening hours, while employees should refer to the rules applicable to their workplace.
What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend?
Law No. 2-94 does not establish an automatic nationwide replacement-Monday rule for a statutory holiday falling on Saturday or Sunday.
In 2026, National Day falls on Saturday, August 15, and All Saints' Day falls on Sunday, November 1. No additional substitute holiday has been included for either date without a specific official declaration.
The Minister responsible for Labour can declare extra non-working days under Article 2 of the law, but such decisions require an applicable ministerial order. A substitute day should not be assumed solely because a statutory holiday falls on a weekend.
Long Weekends in the Republic of the Congo in 2026
Several confirmed public holidays create opportunities for extended breaks for people whose normal working week runs from Monday to Friday.
- January 1–4: The Thursday New Year holiday and additional paid rest day on Friday, January 2 create a four-day break when combined with the weekend.
- April 4–6: Easter Monday creates a three-day weekend.
- May 1–3: Labour Day falls on Friday, allowing a three-day weekend.
- May 23–25: Whit Monday creates a three-day weekend.
- December 25–27: Christmas Day falls on Friday, creating a three-day weekend.
These periods are calendar-based planning opportunities rather than separate government declarations of extended leave. Actual days off depend on the employee's regular working schedule and any applicable workplace arrangements.
How Are Public Holidays Announced in the Republic of the Congo?
The Republic of the Congo's statutory holidays are established through national legislation. Additional holidays can be announced through ministerial orders and published in the Journal officiel de la République du Congo.
The Ministry responsible for Labour plays a central role in declaring exceptional non-working days and communicating their applicability to public and private sector workers.
For the most reliable information, consult the statutory law, the official government gazette and relevant ministry announcements. Commercial calendars may be useful for preliminary planning but should not override directly applicable legal instruments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in the Republic of the Congo?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Republic of the Congo section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database.
What is the Republic of the Congo's country code?
The Republic of the Congo's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is CG. This identifies Congo-Brazzaville and is different from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which uses CD.
How many public holidays are there in the Republic of the Congo in 2026?
The verified 2026 schedule contains 11 nationwide paid public-holiday dates. This includes nine recurring statutory holidays under Law No. 2-94 and two additional paid rest days declared by ministerial orders.
Is January 2 a public holiday in the Republic of the Congo in 2026?
Yes. Friday, January 2, 2026 was declared a paid nationwide non-working day under Ministerial Order No. 6076 of December 31, 2025. It was an exceptional declaration rather than a permanent annual statutory holiday.
Why was April 16 a public holiday in 2026?
Thursday, April 16, 2026 was declared a paid nationwide rest day through Ministerial Order No. 681 of April 14, 2026. The decision was published in the official government gazette.
When is Independence Day in the Republic of the Congo in 2026?
Independence Day, also known as National Day, falls on Saturday, August 15, 2026. It commemorates independence from France in 1960 and is a statutory public holiday.
Is Republic Day on November 28 a statutory paid holiday?
November 28 is a recognized national commemoration, but it does not appear among the nine recurring paid holidays established by Law No. 2-94. A separate legal instrument establishing its nationwide paid holiday status for 2026 has not been verified.
Are public holidays paid in the Republic of the Congo?
Yes. The country's statutory framework establishes designated public holidays as paid non-working days. Specific remuneration arrangements for employees required to work may depend on applicable employment regulations.
Are banks open on public holidays in the Republic of the Congo?
Banking operations may be restricted during public holidays. However, ministerial orders can require essential banking services to maintain staffing. Individual bank opening hours and service availability should be confirmed directly.
Does the Republic of the Congo provide substitute holidays when public holidays fall on weekends?
Law No. 2-94 does not establish an automatic nationwide substitute-day rule. Additional rest days require a separate applicable government declaration.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in the Republic of the Congo
- Ministry of Finance – Law No. 2-94 of March 1, 1994: Establishes the nine recurring statutory paid holidays and permits additional ministerial declarations.
- Official Gazette No. 2/2026: Publishes Ministerial Order No. 6076 declaring January 2, 2026 a nationwide paid rest day.
- Official Gazette No. 16/2026: Publishes Ministerial Order No. 681 declaring April 16, 2026 a nationwide paid rest day.
- Congolese Information Agency – Whit Monday Government Announcement: Reports the official confirmation of paid public holiday status for May 25, 2026.
- Ministry of Public Service – Statutory Events: Provides historical context for national commemorations, including June 10, August 15 and November 28.
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