Nigeria Public Holidays 2026
Complete calendar of national holidays, business hours and best times to visit
2026 Holiday Calendar
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year's Day | National |
| ~20 March* | Friday | Eid al-Fitr (Estimated) | Islamic |
| ~21 March* | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr Day 2 | Islamic |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday | Christian |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday | Christian |
| 1 May | Friday | Workers' Day | National |
| ~27 May* | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha (Estimated) | Islamic |
| ~28 May* | Thursday | Eid al-Adha Day 2 | Islamic |
| 12 June | Friday | Democracy Day | National |
| ~26 June* | Friday | Eid el-Maulud (Prophet's Birthday) | Islamic |
| 1 October | Thursday | Independence Day | National |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day | Christian |
| 26 December | Saturday | Boxing Day | Christian |
* Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar and dates are approximate. Exact dates are confirmed by moon sighting.
Business Hours
| Type | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Banks | Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00 | Closed weekends and public holidays |
| Shops | Mon-Sat 9:00-18:00 | Malls open Sunday 10:00-18:00 |
| Government | Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00 | Closed all public holidays |
| Markets | Daily 7:00-18:00 | Some open on holidays but close early |
| Restaurants | Varies | Tourist restaurants open most holidays |
Best & Worst Times to Visit
Best Times
- November - February: Dry season, pleasant weather, good for exploring
- March (early): Before rains begin; quieter tourism period
- October: Rains ending, green landscapes, fewer tourists
Challenging Times
- Eid al-Fitr / Eid al-Adha: Transport gridlock as millions travel; prices surge
- Christmas / New Year: Heavy domestic travel; flight prices spike
- June - September: Peak rainy season; flooding in Lagos
- December Harmattan: Dusty haze in the north; visibility poor
Cultural Festivals Worth Visiting
| Festival | When | Where | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calabar Carnival | December | Calabar | Africa's biggest street party; weeks of events |
| Osun-Osogbo Festival | August | Osogbo | UNESCO-listed Yoruba cultural festival |
| Durbar Festival | After Eid | Kano, Zaria | Spectacular horse cavalry procession |
| New Yam Festival | August-October | Southeast | Igbo harvest celebration |
| Lagos Carnival | April | Lagos | Colourful street parade through Lagos Island |
Impact on Travel
- Transport: Domestic flights and intercity buses are fully booked during Eid and Christmas. Book well in advance.
- Prices: Hotel prices can double during major holidays and festivals
- Closures: Banks, government offices and many businesses close. Embassies also close on Nigerian public holidays.
- Traffic: Lagos traffic is already legendary; during holidays it becomes almost impassable
- ATMs: May run out of cash during extended holiday periods
Key Dates 2026
Independence Day: 1 Oct
Democracy Day: 12 Jun
Workers' Day: 1 May
Christmas: 25-26 Dec
Easter: 3-6 Apr