There are 12 public holidays in Ethiopia in 2025, four of which fall on weekends.
Orthodox Christmas Day
Orthodox Christmas Day 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. It is celebrated on January 7, 2025.
Timkat
Timkat is the celebration of Epiphany in Ethiopia and celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan. Christianity is Ethiopia's largest religion, making up about 63% of the population. It falls on January 20, 2025.
Adwa Victory Day
Adwa Victory Day, observed on March 2, 2025, celebrates the Ethiopian victory over the Kingdom of Italy in the Battle of Adwa, the climactic battle of the First Italo-Ethiopian War. The battle was fought on March 1, 1896, near the town of Adwa between Ethiopia and the Kingdom of Italy.
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 falls on March 31, 2025.
Orthodox 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 18, 2025.
Orthodox Easter
Orthodox Easter is an important Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday is a public holiday on April 20, 2025.
Labour Day
Labour Day is observed on May 1, 2025, 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.
Patriots' Victory Day
Patriots' Victory Day, observed on May 5, 2025, is a public holiday in Ethiopia. The holiday commemorates the Ethiopian Patriots against the invading Italian forces, ending the Fascist aggression in the country.
Derg Downfall Day
Derg Downfall Day is a public holiday in Ethiopia, observed on May 28, 2025. The holiday commemorates the end of the Provisional Military Government of Ethiopia that ruled the country from 1974 to 1991.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, also known as the festival of sacrifice, is an important Muslim festival. The holiday falls on June 7, 2025, and it honors the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command.
The Prophet's Birthday
The holiday, observed on September 5, 2025, commemorates the birthday of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. Muhammad was born around 570 AD in Mecca and was a deeply spiritual man who meditated.
Enkutatash
Enkutatash, or Geez New Year, is a public holiday in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is observed on Meskerem 1 on the Ethiopian calendar, September 11, 2025.
Meskel
Meskel is an important religious holiday commemorating the True Cross discovery by Saint Empress Helena in the fourth century. It falls on September 27, 2025.
The following is the list of public holidays in Ethiopia 2025.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodox Christmas Day | Jan 07, 2025 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Timkat | Jan 20, 2025 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Adwa Victory Day | Mar 02, 2025 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Fitr | Mar 31, 2025 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Orthodox Good Friday | Apr 18, 2025 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Orthodox Easter | Apr 20, 2025 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2025 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Patriots' Victory Day | May 05, 2025 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Derg Downfall Day | May 28, 2025 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Adha | Jun 07, 2025 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| The Prophet's Birthday | Sep 05, 2025 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Enkutatash | Sep 11, 2025 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Meskel | Sep 27, 2025 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in Ethiopia in 2025.