Public Holidays
Discover upcoming public holiday dates for Eswatini and start planning to make the most of your time off.
2026 Public Holidays
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thu | New Year's Day |
| 6 Jan | Tue | Incwala Day |
| 3 Apr | Fri | Good Friday |
| 6 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday |
| 19 Apr | Sun | King's Birthday |
| 20 Apr | Mon | King's Birthday Holiday |
| 25 Apr | Sat | National Flag Day |
| 1 May | Fri | Workers' Day |
| 14 May | Thu | Ascension Day |
| 22 Jul | Wed | King Father's Birthday |
| 31 Aug | Mon | Umhlanga |
| 6 Sep | Sun | Somhlolo Day |
| 7 Sep | Mon | Somhlolo Day Holiday |
| 25 Dec | Fri | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Sat | Boxing Day |
| 27 Dec | Sun | Incwala Day |
| 28 Dec | Mon | Incwala Day Holiday |
2027 Public Holidays
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Fri | New Year's Day |
| 26 Mar | Fri | Good Friday |
| 29 Mar | Mon | Easter Monday |
| 19 Apr | Mon | King's Birthday |
| 25 Apr | Sun | National Flag Day |
| 26 Apr | Mon | National Flag Day Holiday |
| 1 May | Sat | Workers' Day |
| 6 May | Thu | Ascension Day |
| 22 Jul | Thu | King Father's Birthday |
| 6 Sep | Mon | Umhlanga |
| 6 Sep | Mon | Somhlolo Day |
| 25 Dec | Sat | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Sun | Boxing Day |
| 28 Dec | Tue | Incwala Day |
2028 Public Holidays
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Sat | New Year's Day |
| 14 Apr | Fri | Good Friday |
| 17 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday |
| 19 Apr | Wed | King's Birthday |
| 25 Apr | Tue | National Flag Day |
| 1 May | Mon | Workers' Day |
| 25 May | Thu | Ascension Day |
| 22 Jul | Sat | King Father's Birthday |
| 24 Jul | Mon | King Father's Birthday Holiday |
| 4 Sep | Mon | Umhlanga |
| 6 Sep | Wed | Somhlolo Day |
| 25 Dec | Mon | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Tue | Boxing Day |
Several of the holidays celebrated in Eswatini are based on their culture. These holidays often extend over several days, with one holiday actually taking a full 30 days to complete. These holidays are based on the lunar cycle and the dates will change each year. However, the government of Eswatini only declares one day of each of these celebrations as a national holiday.
The King of Eswatini retains full authority of nationally celebrated holidays and can add or delete holidays at will. Announcements of when lunar holidays or any changes to the holiday schedule are announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs. At this time, the announcements are made by local publication only.
The Labour Laws of Eswatini do not grant any special wages or guaranteed days off to workers for national holidays. However, the King encourages everyone to partake in these celebrations, so most people are given time off from their job.
It should be noted that there is a public law against videotaping or photographing certain culturally based holidays in the country. These celebrations are the Birthday of King Mswati III, the Umhlanga (Reed Dance), Somhlolo Day (Independence Day) and Incwala.
