There are 17 public holidays in Tanzania 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.
Zanzibar Revolution Day
Zanzibar Revolution Day, observed on January 12, 2023, marks the revolution that overthrew the sultan who ruled Zanzibar. Zanzibar became a British protectorate in 1890. In 1963, the United Kingdom terminated the protectorate and turned Zanzibar into an independent country under the Sultan within the Commonwealth.
Karume Day
Karume Day, observed on April 7, 2023, commemorates when Abeid Karume was assassinated in April 1972. Abeid Karume was born on August 4, 1905, and was the first President of Zanzibar after the Revolution. On April 7, 1972, four gunmen shot him dead in Zanzibar Town.
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 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
This is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide 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 April 22, 2023.
Tanzania Union Day
Tanzania Union Day is a public holiday in Tanzania, observed on April 26, 2023. The holiday commemorates when Zanzibar merged with mainland Tanganyika on April 26, 1964.
International Workers' Day
International Workers' Day, observed on May 1, 2023, is to celebrate 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.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is an important Muslim festival. The holiday falls on June 29, 2023, and it honors the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command.
Saba Saba Day
Saba Saba Day, observed on July 7, 2023, commemorates the anniversary when the Tanzanian political party, the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), was founded in 1954. TANU was the principal political party in the struggle for sovereignty in Tanzania. The national language of Tanzania is Swahili, and Saba Saba in Swahili means "seven seven" in English.
Nane Nane Day
Nane Nane Day, observed on August 8, 2023, honors the hard work of farmers and celebrates recognition of the important contribution of farmers to the national Tanzanian economy. The national language in Tanzania is Swahili, and Nane Nane in Swahili means "eight eight" in English.
The Prophet's Birthday
The holiday, observed on September 27, 2023, 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 spending time in meditation.
Mwalimu Nyerere Day
Mwalimu Nyerere Day is a public holiday in Tanzania on October 14, 2023. The holiday commemorates Julius Nyerere's death on October 14, 1999. Julius Nyerere was a Tanzanian anti-colonial activist, politician, and founder of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) party.
Independence Day
Independence Day, observed on December 9, 2023, commemorates the anniversary when Tanganyika proclaimed independence from the United Kingdom on December 9, 1961, with Queen Elizabeth II as the state head.
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 Tanzania 2023.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 01, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Zanzibar Revolution Day | Jan 12, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Karume Day | Apr 07, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Good Friday | Apr 07, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Easter Monday | Apr 10, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Fitr | Apr 22, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Apr 23, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Tanzania Union Day | Apr 26, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| International Workers' Day | May 01, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Adha | Jun 28, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Saba Saba Day | Jul 07, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Nane Nane Day | Aug 08, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| The Prophet's Birthday | Sep 27, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Mwalimu Nyerere Day | Oct 14, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Independence Day | Dec 09, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Boxing Day | Dec 26, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in Tanzania in 2023.