There are 13 public holidays in Malawi in 2023, five of which fall on weekends.
New Year's Day
New Year Holiday, celebrated on January 1, 2023, is the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar, and it is one of the most popular holidays in the world.
John Chilembwe Day
John Chilembwe Day is a public holiday in Malawi on January 15, 2023. The holiday commemorates the life of Reverend John Chilembwe, born in 1871 in Nyasaland, present in the Republic of Malawi. In 1892, he became a house servant of Joseph Booth, a radical and independent-minded missionary.
Martyrs' Day
Martyrs' Day is a public holiday in Malawi, observed on March 3, 2023. The holiday commemorates those who perished in the struggle to achieve independence from the British Empire, especially the uprising on March 3, 1959.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian holiday celebrating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed on Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday, April 7, 2023.
Easter Saturday
Easter Saturday is the day before Easter Sunday and after Good Friday, and it is a public holiday in many countries. It falls on April 8, 2023.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and it is the Monday after Easter Sunday. It is observed on April 10, 2023.
Eid al-Fitr
Muslims worldwide celebrate this religious holiday, celebrating the end of a month of fasting. The holiday falls on the first day of Syawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, on April 21, 2023.
Labour Day
Labour Day is observed on May 1, 2023, and it celebrates the achievements of workers. The holiday originates in the eight-hour day movement, which is eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
Kamuzu Day
Kamuzu Day is a public holiday in Malawi, observed on May 14, 2023. The holiday commemorates the birthday of Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the Prime Minister and later the President of Malawi, from 1964 to 1994. His real birthday is unknown because there was no birth document then, but Banda gave himself the office birthday on May 14, 1906.
Independence Day
Republic Day is a public holiday in Malawi on July 6, 2023. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of when Malawi gained independence from the British in 1964. The Malawi area became a British protectorate in 1889 and was renamed Nyasaland in 1907.
Mother's Day
Mothers' Day, observed on October 15, 2023, is a holiday honoring motherhood. People celebrate Mother's Day in different forms and on different days worldwide. The original celebration can track back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, while the modern Mother's Day celebrations started in the United States in the early 20th century.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25, 2023, and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christmas Day is a holiday of sharing. People exchange Christmas gifts and cards with families and friends.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is also known as St. Stephen's Day and is widely known as a shopping holiday in some countries. It falls on December 26, 2023.
The following is the list of public holidays in Malawi 2023.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 01, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| New Year's Day Holiday | Jan 02, 2023 | Monday | Observed |
| John Chilembwe Day | Jan 15, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| John Chilembwe Day Holiday | Jan 16, 2023 | Monday | Observed |
| Martyrs' Day | Mar 03, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Good Friday | Apr 07, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Easter Saturday | Apr 08, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Easter Monday | Apr 10, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Fitr | Apr 21, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Kamuzu Day | May 14, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Kamuzu Day Holiday | May 15, 2023 | Monday | Observed |
| Independence Day | Jul 06, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Mother's Day | Oct 15, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Mother's Day Holiday | Oct 16, 2023 | Monday | Observed |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Boxing Day | Dec 26, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in Malawi in 2023.
