Public Holidays in Zambia 2026 – National & Public Observances
Zambia has 19 public-holiday dates in 2026 when its regular national holidays, Easter holidays, Sunday substitute days and the constitutionally mandated General Election Day are counted. The calendar includes national, commemorative and religious holidays, while some dates arise from Zambia’s rule that a public holiday falling on a Sunday is followed by a public holiday on Monday.
Next Public Holiday in Zambia
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 18, 2026 | Sunday | National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation | Confirmed |
Public Holidays in Zambia 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Confirmed |
| March 8, 2026 | Sunday | International Women's Day | Confirmed |
| March 9, 2026 | Monday | Day Following International Women's Day | Confirmed |
| March 12, 2026 | Thursday | Youth Day | Confirmed |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Confirmed |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | Holy Saturday | Confirmed |
| April 5, 2026 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Confirmed |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | Confirmed |
| April 28, 2026 | Tuesday | Kenneth Kaunda Day | Confirmed |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day | Confirmed |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Africa Freedom Day | Confirmed |
| July 6, 2026 | Monday | Heroes' Day | Confirmed |
| July 7, 2026 | Tuesday | Unity Day | Confirmed |
| August 3, 2026 | Monday | Farmers' Day | Confirmed |
| August 13, 2026 | Thursday | General Election Day | Confirmed |
| October 18, 2026 | Sunday | National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation | Confirmed |
| October 19, 2026 | Monday | Day Following National Day of Prayer | Confirmed |
| October 24, 2026 | Saturday | Independence Day | Confirmed |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Confirmed |
How Public Holidays Work in Zambia
Zambia’s public holiday system is based primarily on the Public Holidays Act, which establishes a schedule of nationwide public holidays and allows additional public holidays to be declared by statutory notice. The legislation also provides that when a scheduled public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a public holiday.
The Sunday-to-Monday replacement rule remains applicable in 2026. A proposed amendment to remove the rule was introduced during 2026 but was subsequently withdrawn, so it did not replace the existing statutory arrangement.
Additional Public Holidays Recognised in Zambia
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is a public holiday in Zambia on 8 March. It was declared a public holiday through the Public Holiday (Declaration) Notice, 2007, commencing in 2008.
In 2026, 8 March falls on a Sunday. The following Monday, 9 March, is therefore observed as the substitute public holiday.
Kenneth Kaunda Day
Kenneth Kaunda Day is observed on 28 April in commemoration of the birthday of Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, Zambia’s first Republican President. The holiday was declared through the Public Holidays (Declaration) (No. 3) Notice, 2021, beginning in 2022.
National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation
18 October is observed every year as a public holiday dedicated to national prayer, fasting, repentance and reconciliation. The holiday was declared through the Public Holiday (Declaration) Notice, 2015, with the annual observance commencing in 2016.
In 2026, 18 October falls on a Sunday. Monday, 19 October, is therefore observed as the following public holiday under Zambia’s Sunday substitute rule.
Election Day Public Holiday in Zambia in 2026
Thursday, 13 August 2026 was Zambia’s General Election Day. Article 56 of the Constitution provides that the day on which a general election is held shall be a public holiday. The 2026 general election was therefore a public holiday nationwide.
Easter Public Holidays in Zambia in 2026
Zambia’s Easter holiday period includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. In 2026, these dates fall from Friday, 3 April through Monday, 6 April.
The four-day Easter period is particularly relevant when planning business operations, travel and employee leave because the public holiday dates span both weekdays and the weekend.
Long Weekends in Zambia in 2026
Several 2026 public holidays create extended breaks without requiring additional annual leave. The Easter period runs from Friday, 3 April through Monday, 6 April. Women’s Day creates a Sunday-to-Monday holiday on 8 and 9 March, while National Day of Prayer creates another Sunday-to-Monday break on 18 and 19 October.
Heroes’ Day falls on Monday, 6 July, followed immediately by Unity Day on Tuesday, 7 July. Farmers’ Day also falls on a Monday, on 3 August, while Christmas Day falls on Friday, 25 December.
What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday in Zambia?
When a public holiday covered by Zambia’s Public Holidays Act falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a public holiday. This rule produces two additional Monday holidays in the 2026 calendar: 9 March following International Women’s Day and 19 October following National Day of Prayer.
The rule does not automatically create a substitute holiday when a public holiday falls on a Saturday. Independence Day, for example, falls on Saturday, 24 October 2026.
Are Banks Closed on Public Holidays in Zambia?
Public holidays affect banking operations in Zambia. The Bank of Zambia states that its offices are closed on weekends and public holidays, and its payment-system operating rules also provide for closure on government-gazetted public holidays.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Zambia?
The Employment Code Act provides for public holidays to be designated as paid public holidays by statutory instrument. Where a public holiday has been designated as a paid public holiday, employees are entitled to the applicable holiday entitlement subject to the conditions set by law. Employees or classes of employees who normally work on a paid public holiday are subject to the applicable payment arrangements under employment law, collective agreements or contracts.
Who Declares Public Holidays in Zambia?
Zambia’s Public Holidays Act establishes the main statutory holidays and gives the Minister power to declare additional public holidays by statutory notice. Certain additional holidays have been created through statutory instruments, including International Women’s Day, National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation, and Kenneth Kaunda Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays are there in Zambia in 2026?
There are 19 public-holiday dates in Zambia in 2026 when the regular national holidays, Easter Sunday, two Sunday substitute days and the General Election Day are included.
What is the next public holiday in Zambia?
The next public holiday is generated dynamically above so that the information can remain current as the calendar progresses.
Does Zambia have substitute holidays?
Yes. Under the Public Holidays Act, when a scheduled public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a public holiday. The rule applies to the relevant 2026 Sunday holidays.
Is Election Day a public holiday in Zambia?
Yes. Zambia’s Constitution states that the day on which a general election is held is a public holiday. The 2026 General Election Day was Thursday, 13 August 2026.
Is Easter Sunday a public holiday in Zambia?
Easter Sunday is included in Zambia’s annual public holiday schedules alongside Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Monday.
Is Independence Day a public holiday in Zambia?
Yes. Independence Day is observed annually on 24 October. In 2026 it falls on Saturday, 24 October.
Is Kenneth Kaunda Day a public holiday?
Yes. Kenneth Kaunda Day is observed on 28 April each year in commemoration of the birthday of Zambia’s first Republican President, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda.
Is National Day of Prayer a public holiday?
Yes. 18 October is observed annually as a public holiday for national prayer, fasting, repentance and reconciliation.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Zambia
- Government of Zambia — Public Holidays Act, which establishes the principal national public holidays and the Sunday substitute rule.
- Government of Zambia — Public Holiday (Declaration) Notice, 2007, establishing International Women’s Day as a public holiday.
- Government of Zambia — Public Holiday (Declaration) Notice, 2015, establishing 18 October as the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation.
- Government of Zambia — Public Holidays (Declaration) (No. 3) Notice, 2021, establishing 28 April as Kenneth Kaunda Day.
- Constitution of Zambia — Article 56, which establishes General Election Day as a public holiday.
- Bank of Zambia — official operating information concerning closure on public holidays.
