Zimbabwe will observe 14 official public holidays in 2026, according to the Government Gazette published under General Notice GN 2025-1361.

Public holidays in Zimbabwe are declared each year by the Minister of Home Affairs under the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act [Chapter 10:21].

The 2026 calendar includes national commemorations such as Independence Day, Heroes’ Day and National Unity Day, as well as internationally recognised holidays like Workers’ Day and Christmas.

Below is the full list of Zimbabwe’s public holidays for 2026.

Complete List of Zimbabwe Public Holidays 2026

Zimbabwe’s first public holiday of the year will be New Year’s Day on Thursday, 1 January 2026.

The second holiday will be Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day on Saturday, 21 February 2026.

The Easter holiday period includes four public holidays:

• Good Friday – 3 April 2026
• Easter Saturday – 4 April 2026
• Easter Sunday – 5 April 2026
• Easter Monday – 6 April 2026

Zimbabwe will then celebrate Independence Day on Saturday, 18 April 2026, marking the country’s independence from Britain in 1980.

The next public holiday will be Workers’ Day on Friday, 1 May 2026, followed by Africa Day on Monday, 25 May 2026.

In August, Zimbabwe observes two national holidays:

• Heroes’ Day – Monday, 10 August 2026
• Defence Forces Day – Tuesday, 11 August 2026

Towards the end of the year, Zimbabwe will mark National Unity Day on Tuesday, 22 December 2026.

The final holidays of the year are the Christmas holidays:

• Christmas Day – Friday, 25 December 2026
• Boxing Day – Saturday, 26 December 2026

Weekend Holiday Rules

Several holidays in 2026 fall on weekends.

Under Zimbabwean law, when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes the observed public holiday.

However, when a public holiday falls on a Saturday, there is no automatic substitute weekday holiday. This means workers whose rest day is Saturday may not receive an additional day off unless their employer or industry agreement provides one.

In 2026, the holidays falling on Saturdays include:

• Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day
• Easter Saturday
• Independence Day
• Boxing Day

Important National Holidays Explained
Independence Day – 18 April

Independence Day marks Zimbabwe’s independence from British colonial rule on 18 April 1980. In 2026, the country will celebrate its 46th anniversary of independence.

Workers’ Day – 1 May

Workers’ Day celebrates labour movements and workers’ rights. Trade unions across Zimbabwe usually organise events and rallies to mark the day.

Africa Day – 25 May

Africa Day commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, which later became the African Union.

Heroes’ Day and Defence Forces Day

Heroes’ Day honours those who fought and died during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. It is observed on the second Monday of August, followed by Defence Forces Day on the Tuesday.

National Unity Day – 22 December

National Unity Day commemorates the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987, which brought together ZANU-PF and ZAPU and ended political conflict in the country.

Long Weekends in 2026

Several holidays will create extended breaks for workers.

The Easter holiday provides a four-day break from Good Friday on 3 April to Easter Monday on 6 April.

Workers will also enjoy long weekends during Workers’ Day in May, Africa Day in May, and Christmas in December.

However, holidays such as Independence Day and National Youth Day, which fall on Saturdays in 2026, will not automatically create long weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many public holidays does Zimbabwe have in 2026?
Zimbabwe has 14 official public holidays in 2026.

When is Heroes’ Day in 2026?
Heroes’ Day will be observed on Monday, 10 August 2026.

Is Easter Saturday a public holiday in Zimbabwe?
Yes. Zimbabwe officially recognises Easter Saturday as a public holiday, making the Easter period four consecutive holidays.

Do workers get a substitute day off if a holiday falls on Saturday?
No automatic substitute day is provided when a holiday falls on a Saturday under Zimbabwean law.

Zimbabwe’s public holiday calendar combines national history, religious observances and international commemorations, reflecting the country’s cultural and political heritage.

Workers and businesses are encouraged to plan their schedules around the official holiday dates during the year.

By The Granite Post Reporter