There are 14 public holidays in the Central African Republic in 2026, three of which fall on weekends.
New Year's Day
New Year Holiday, celebrated on January 1, 2026, is the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar, and it is one of the most popular holidays in the world.
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. The holiday is observed on March 20, 2026.
Boganda Day
Boganda Day is a public holiday in the Central African Republic, observed on March 29, 2026. The holiday commemorates the anniversary when Barthélemy Boganda died on March 29 in 1959.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and it is the Monday after Easter Sunday. It is observed on April 6, 2026.
Labour Day
Labour Day is observed on May 1, 2026, 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.
Ascension Day
Also known as the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, Ascension Day commemorates the Christian belief in the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. It is observed on May 14, 2026.
Whit Monday
Whit Monday, or Pentecost Monday, is a religious festival Christians celebrate. It falls on the day after Pentecost, the 50th day after Easter Sunday. In 2026, the holiday falls on June 25.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, also known as the festival of sacrifice, is an important Muslim festival. The holiday falls on May 27, 2026, and it honors the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command.
National Prayer Day
National Prayer Day is a day for all people in the Central African Republic, regardless of ethnicity, religion, and politics, to unite to pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation. It is a public holiday in the Central African Republic observed on June 30, 2026.
Independence Day
Independence Day is a public holiday in the Central African Republic, observed on August 13, 2026. The holiday commemorates when the Central African Republic gained independence from France in 1960.
Assumption Day
Assumption Day commemorates the day that the bodily taking up of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, into Heaven. The holiday is observed on August 15, 2026.
All Saints' Day
All Saints' Day is observed on November 1, 2026, and commemorates all the saints from Christian history, including those known and unknown.
Republic Day
Republic Day is a public holiday in the Central African Republic, observed on December 1, 2026. The holiday commemorates when the Central African Republic became an autonomous member of the French Community in 1958.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25, 2026, 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.
The following is the list of public holidays in Central African Republic 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 01, 2026 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Fitr | Mar 20, 2026 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Boganda Day | Mar 29, 2026 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Easter Monday | Apr 06, 2026 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2026 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Ascension Day | May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Whit Monday | May 25, 2026 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Adha | May 27, 2026 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| National Prayer Day | Jun 30, 2026 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Independence Day | Aug 13, 2026 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Assumption Day | Aug 15, 2026 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| All Saints' Day | Nov 01, 2026 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Republic Day | Dec 01, 2026 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2026 | Friday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in the Central African Republic in 2026.
