Zambia Public Holidays 2027: Full List and Long Weekends [Updated Oct 2026]
Zambia has 15 public holidays in 2027, plus one Monday off when Independence Day falls on a Sunday.
One date has moved: 18 October is no longer a public holiday. It has been folded into a new holiday on 29 December, the National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage.
All 2027 Zambia public holidays at a glance
Date | Day | Holiday |
1 January | Friday | New Year's Day |
8 March | Monday | Women's Day |
12 March | Friday | Youth Day |
26 March | Friday | Good Friday |
27 March | Saturday | Holy Saturday |
29 March | Monday | Easter Monday |
28 April | Wednesday | Kenneth Kaunda Day |
1 May | Saturday | Labour Day |
25 May | Tuesday | Africa Freedom Day |
5 July | Monday | Heroes' Day |
6 July | Tuesday | Unity Day |
2 August | Monday | Farmers' Day |
24 October | Sunday | Independence Day |
25 October | Monday | Independence Day (observed) |
25 December | Saturday | Christmas Day |
29 December | Wednesday | National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage |
What changed for 2027
In October 2026 the government revoked the instrument that made 18 October a holiday. It merged the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation with the 29 December commemoration of Zambia's declaration as a Christian nation. The combined day is now called the National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage. In practice: 18 October 2027 is a normal working Monday. 29 December 2027 is a Wednesday off, right in the quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year.
The Sunday rule
When a public holiday lands on a Sunday, the following Monday is taken off instead. In 2027 that applies once: Independence Day falls on Sunday 24 October, so Monday 25 October is the day off.
The rule does not work for Saturdays. Labour Day (1 May) and Christmas Day (25 December) both fall on a Saturday in 2027, and neither earns a Monday.
A bill before Parliament, the Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill 2026, would scrap the Sunday rule. It has not passed. We will update this page if it does, because the 25 October day off would go with it.
Long weekends worth planning around
Dates | Days off | Why |
Fri 1 – Sun 3 Jan | 3 | New Year's Day on a Friday |
Sat 6 – Mon 8 Mar | 3 | Women's Day on a Monday |
Fri 12 – Sun 14 Mar | 3 | Youth Day on a Friday |
Fri 26 – Mon 29 Mar | 4 | Easter |
Sat 3 – Tue 6 Jul | 4 | Heroes' Day and Unity Day |
Sat 31 Jul – Mon 2 Aug | 3 | Farmers' Day |
Sat 23 – Mon 25 Oct | 3 | Independence Day observed on Monday |
The two four-day weekends, Easter and Heroes and Unity, are the ones Lusaka empties out for. Book early if you are heading to Livingstone, Siavonga or the Lower Zambezi. Kenneth Kaunda Day (Wednesday 28 April) sits mid-week: take Thursday and Friday off and two days of leave buy you five days.
Planning around the holidays in Lusaka
Banks and government offices close on every public holiday. Plan cash and paperwork for the working day before. Our Zambian kwacha guide covers ATMs and mobile money for when branches are shut.
Malls and supermarkets generally stay open, often on shorter hours.
Independence Day (24 October) is the big civic one: flags, events and busy roads in central Lusaka. See our What's On listings closer to the date.
Traffic out of Lusaka on the Thursday or Friday evening before Easter and Heroes weekend is heavy on the Kafue and Great East roads.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Zambia have in 2027? Fifteen named holidays, plus one Monday in lieu (25 October), for 16 holiday dates in all. Holy Saturday, Labour Day and Christmas Day fall on Saturdays.
Is 18 October still a public holiday in Zambia? No. It was abolished in October 2026 and merged into the 29 December holiday.
What is the new 29 December holiday? The National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage. It combines the old 18 October day of prayer with the anniversary of Zambia's declaration as a Christian nation.
When is Easter 2027 in Zambia? Good Friday is 26 March, Holy Saturday 27 March and Easter Monday 29 March.
Can the dates change? Yes. The President can declare extra holidays by gazette, and the Sunday rule may change if the amendment bill passes. We update this page when that happens.
