Next public holidays
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026
- Boxing Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026. Because it falls on a weekend, the Federal Government usually declares the next working day, Monday, 28 December, a holiday.
- New Year’s Day: Friday, 1 January 2027
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Interior, formally declares each holiday a few days before it. We add every declaration here as soon as it is made.
This page lists every public holiday in Nigeria for the year, with the expected dates of the Muslim holidays, which depend on the sighting of the moon. It stays on one permanent address and is refreshed every year and whenever the Federal Government declares a holiday.
Public holidays in Nigeria 2027
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January 2027 | Friday |
| Eid-el-Fitr (Sallah)* | Expected around 9–10 March 2027 | Tuesday–Wednesday |
| Good Friday | 26 March 2027 | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 29 March 2027 | Monday |
| Workers’ Day | 1 May 2027 | Saturday (a weekday may be declared) |
| Eid-el-Kabir (Eid-el-Adha)* | Expected around 16–17 May 2027 | Sunday–Monday |
| Democracy Day | 12 June 2027 | Saturday (a weekday may be declared) |
| Eid-el-Maulud* | Expected around 15 August 2027 | Sunday |
| Independence Day | 1 October 2027 | Friday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2027 | Saturday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December 2027 | Sunday (Monday and Tuesday, 27–28 December, likely) |
*Muslim holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar, so the final dates depend on the sighting of the moon and are confirmed by the Federal Government a few days before.
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend?
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Federal Government usually declares the next working day a holiday instead. For example, Boxing Day 2026 falls on a Saturday, so Monday, 28 December 2026 is likely to be declared.
2026 public holiday declarations
State public holidays
Some states declare extra holidays for their own residents, such as the Islamic New Year in Kano. Read an example. These apply only in the state concerned. For school breaks in Delta, see the Delta State school calendar.
Public holidays in Nigeria: frequently asked questions
What is the next public holiday in Nigeria?
Christmas Day, Friday 25 December 2026, followed by Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December, with Monday 28 December likely to be declared) and New Year’s Day, Friday 1 January 2027.
How many public holidays are there in Nigeria?
Nigeria has 11 regular public holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Workers’ Day, Democracy Day, Independence Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Eid-el-Fitr, Eid-el-Kabir and Eid-el-Maulud. Extra days are often declared for Sallah or when a holiday falls on a weekend.
When is Sallah (Eid-el-Fitr) in 2027?
Eid-el-Fitr 2027 is expected around Tuesday 9 to Wednesday 10 March 2027, depending on the sighting of the moon. The Federal Government will confirm the holidays a few days before.
When is Eid-el-Kabir in 2027?
Eid-el-Kabir (Eid-el-Adha) 2027 is expected around Sunday 16 to Monday 17 May 2027, depending on the sighting of the moon.
Is Boxing Day a public holiday in Nigeria?
Yes. Boxing Day, 26 December, is a public holiday. When it falls on a weekend, the next working day is usually declared instead.
Who declares public holidays in Nigeria?
The Federal Government declares public holidays through the Minister of Interior. State governments can declare additional holidays for their own states.
The Trumpet updates this tracker whenever official information changes. The date at the top shows the last update. For more updates, follow us on X.
