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Public Holidays in Zimbabwe 2026 – National & Religious Days

ByUzair ul haq

Zimbabwe has 14 officially scheduled public holidays in 2026. The calendar covers national holidays, the Easter period, commemorative holidays and Christmas. The 2026 dates were published by the Government of Zimbabwe in the Government Gazette under the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act.

Next Public Holiday in Zimbabwe

Date Day Holiday Status
December 22, 2026 Tuesday National Unity Day Confirmed

Public Holidays in Zimbabwe 2026

Date Day Holiday Status
January 1, 2026 Thursday New Year's Day Confirmed
February 21, 2026 Saturday National Youth Day Confirmed
April 3, 2026 Friday Good Friday Confirmed
April 4, 2026 Saturday Easter Saturday Confirmed
April 5, 2026 Sunday Easter Sunday Confirmed
April 6, 2026 Monday Easter Monday Confirmed
April 18, 2026 Saturday Independence Day Confirmed
May 1, 2026 Friday Workers Day Confirmed
May 25, 2026 Monday Africa Day Confirmed
August 10, 2026 Monday Heroes Day Confirmed
August 11, 2026 Tuesday Defence Forces National Day Confirmed
December 22, 2026 Tuesday National Unity Day Confirmed
December 25, 2026 Friday Christmas Day Confirmed
December 26, 2026 Saturday Boxing Day Confirmed

Zimbabwe’s Public Holiday System

Zimbabwe’s public holidays are governed primarily by the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act [Chapter 10:21]. The Act establishes recurring public holidays and also allows the President to declare additional public holidays by statutory instrument.

For 2026, the Government Gazette published a specific schedule of 14 public holidays. The published schedule includes National Youth Day, the four Easter dates, Independence Day, Workers Day, Africa Day, Heroes Day, Defence Forces National Day, National Unity Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

National Youth Day in Zimbabwe

21 February is observed as Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day. Statutory Instrument 143 of 2017 declared 21 February of every year a public holiday under the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act.

In 2026, National Youth Day falls on Saturday, 21 February. Because the holiday falls on a Saturday, no substitute Monday is created under Zimbabwe’s Sunday-specific replacement rule.

Easter Public Holidays in Zimbabwe in 2026

Zimbabwe’s 2026 Easter holiday period covers Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. The four dates fall from Friday, 3 April through Monday, 6 April.

All four Easter dates are included in the Government Gazette’s official 2026 public holiday schedule. Easter Sunday is therefore included in the database even though it falls on the normal Sunday weekend day.

Independence Day in Zimbabwe in 2026

Zimbabwe’s Independence Day is observed on 18 April. In 2026, Independence Day falls on Saturday, 18 April.

There is no automatic substitute holiday on Monday, 20 April. Zimbabwe’s Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act provides for the following Monday when a public holiday falls on a Sunday. The Government confirmed in April 2026 that the Monday after the Saturday Independence Day was a normal working day.

Heroes Day and Defence Forces National Day

Heroes Day is observed on the second Monday of August, followed by Defence Forces National Day on the Tuesday immediately after it. In 2026, Heroes Day falls on Monday, 10 August, and Defence Forces National Day falls on Tuesday, 11 August.

The two holidays form a consecutive Monday-Tuesday public holiday period and commemorate Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and the country’s defence forces.

Is Munhumutapa Day a Public Holiday in Zimbabwe in 2026?

Munhumutapa Day is not included in Zimbabwe’s officially published 2026 public holiday schedule. The Government Gazette’s 2026 schedule contains 14 public holidays and does not list 15 September as a public holiday.

Reports that list 15 September as a public holiday should therefore not be used as the basis for Zimbabwe’s 2026 public holiday database unless a later official government declaration changes the position.

What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe’s Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act states that when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also a public holiday. The same Act also contains a specific rule concerning Boxing Day when 26 December falls on a Monday.

This Sunday replacement rule does not generally extend to public holidays that fall on Saturday. For example, Independence Day falls on Saturday in 2026, but Monday, 20 April is not automatically a public holiday.

Are Public Holidays Paid in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe’s Labour Act provides that an employee is entitled to leave of absence during a public holiday and to their current remuneration when the holiday falls on a day they would otherwise have been required to work. If an employee agrees to work on a public holiday, the Labour Act provides for payment of not less than twice the employee’s current remuneration for that day.

Do Public Holidays Close Businesses in Zimbabwe?

The Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act establishes public holidays and also gives the President authority to prohibit business or the opening of specified institutions or premises on particular days through statutory instrument.

The practical effect on individual businesses can therefore depend on the nature of the business and any applicable statutory or employment requirements.

Long Weekends in Zimbabwe in 2026

Several Zimbabwe public holidays in 2026 create useful extended breaks without requiring an additional annual-leave day. Good Friday and Easter Monday create a four-day Easter holiday period from Friday, 3 April through Monday, 6 April.

Workers Day falls on Friday, 1 May, creating a Friday-to-Sunday weekend. Africa Day falls on Monday, 25 May, creating a Monday-to-Sunday weekend. Heroes Day and Defence Forces National Day fall consecutively on Monday, 10 August and Tuesday, 11 August.

Christmas Day falls on Friday, 25 December, followed by Boxing Day on Saturday, 26 December.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many public holidays are there in Zimbabwe in 2026?

Zimbabwe has 14 officially scheduled public-holiday dates in 2026 according to the Government Gazette schedule published under the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act.

What is the next public holiday in Zimbabwe?

The next public holiday is generated dynamically above so that the information remains current as the calendar progresses.

Is National Youth Day a public holiday in Zimbabwe?

Yes. 21 February is a public holiday known as Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day. In 2026 it falls on Saturday, 21 February.

Is Easter Sunday a public holiday in Zimbabwe?

Yes. Easter Sunday is included in the Government Gazette’s official 2026 public holiday schedule together with Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday.

Does Zimbabwe have substitute holidays?

Yes. When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also a public holiday under the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act. A Saturday holiday does not automatically create a substitute Monday.

Is Independence Day a public holiday in Zimbabwe?

Yes. Independence Day is observed on 18 April. In 2026 it falls on Saturday, 18 April.

Is Munhumutapa Day a public holiday in 2026?

No. Munhumutapa Day on 15 September is not included in the official 2026 public holiday schedule published in the Government Gazette.

Are public holidays paid in Zimbabwe?

Yes. Zimbabwe’s Labour Act provides paid leave for public holidays that fall on an employee’s normal working day. Employees who consent to work on a public holiday are entitled to at least twice their current remuneration for that day.

When are Heroes Day and Defence Forces National Day in 2026?

Heroes Day is Monday, 10 August 2026, and Defence Forces National Day is Tuesday, 11 August 2026.

Official Sources for Public Holidays in Zimbabwe

Uzair ul haq

CEO Visaboards & IT Consultant

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