Cabo Verde Calendar with Holidays 2026 — In 2026, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) observes a thoughtful mix of 13 national, religious, and cultural holidays that reflect its unique identity as an island nation. The year opens on January 1 with New Year’s Day, widely observed as a widely observed hope and a new beginning. On 13 January, the country celebrates Freedom & Democracy Day, marking an inflection in a multi-sided political system. Heroes Day is celebrated on 20 January; it honors the national hero Amílcar Cabral and the struggles for freedom. The Easter season brings Good Friday on 3 April and Easter on April 6, showing the strong Christian traditions of the country.
Cabo Verde Calendar with Holidays 2026
May 1st is known as Labor Day and recognizes the contributions of workers and their rights on the islands. Children’s Day, which takes place on 1 June, is an indication of the country taking the issue of developing the youth seriously. The 5th of July remembers the Independence Day that recalls the freedom of Cabo Verde during the Portuguese rule in 1975. A couple of months later, on August 15, Our Lady of Grace Day gives a clue of the Catholic background of the country, which is the Assumption Day. All Saints’ Day is celebrated on 1 November and ends on 25 December, Christmas Day.
The 2026 holiday calendar of Cabo Verde provides a meaningful balance of the reflections, celebrations, and national pride that unite the islands through shared values and traditions.
Cabo Verde Holiday Calendar 2026
Cabo Verde Holidays 2026
| Date | Weekday | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2025 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| Jan 13, 2025 | Tuesday | Democracy Day |
| Jan 20 | Tuesday | Heroes’ Day |
| April 3, 2025 | Friday | Good Friday |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day |
| Jun 1, 2025 | Monday | Youth Day |
| Jul 5, 2025 | Sunday | Independence Day |
| Aug 15, 2025 | Saturday | Assumption Day |
| Nov 1, 2025 | Sunday | All Saints’ Day |
| Dec 25, 2025 | Friday | Christmas Day |
- New Year’s Day-Jan 1 (Thu): The Gregorian calendar marks the first day of the year.
- Democracy Day-Jan 13 (Tue): Celebrates the country’s first multi-party elections in 1991.
- Heroes Day-Jan 20 (Tue): Honoring the heritage of Amílcar Cabral, who was murdered in 1973.
- Good Friday-Apr 3 (FRI): Christian holiday recalls Jesus Christ’s climb to the cross.
- Labor Day-May 1 (FRI): Recognizes social and economic achievements of workers.
- Youth Day-June 1 (Mon): Promotes the role and importance of young people in society.
- Independence Day-July 5 (Sun.): In 1975, it marked the freedom of Cape Verde from Portugal.
- Assumption Day-Aug15 (SAT): Mary’s Catholic festival is being accepted in heaven.
- All Saints Day-Nov 1 (Sun): Misses all saints, known and unknown.
- Christmas Day-Dec 25 (Fri): Christian festival of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Cabo Verde 2026 Calendar FAQs
1. How many public holidays are there in Cabo Verde in 2026?
There are 13 national public holidays, which are officially recognized by the government.
2. Are weekends honored with substitution days if holidays fall on Saturday or Sunday?
A weekend is not seen on a weekend, nor is an automatic Monday shift.
3. Is Easter Sunday an official holiday?
No—Good Friday (April 3) is a legal holiday. Easter Sunday is widely observed socially but is usually not counted as a paid holiday.
4. When is Independence Day in 2026, and does it provide a long weekend?
July 5 falls on a Sunday, so Monday has no replacement. The holiday is seen on that day.
5. Are there religious holidays, such as Assumption Day and All Saints Day, that are national statutory holidays?
Yes—August 15 (Assumption Day) and November 1 (All Saints Day) are national holidays, although they may fall on the weekend.