Gabon Public Holidays
Gabon Public Holidays
Searching for the national holidays in Gabon? All public holidays in Gabon are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Gabon employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Gabon and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.
Gabon, located on the west coast of Central Africa, is known for its vibrant culture, rich natural resources, and diverse population. The public holidays in Gabon reflect the country’s history, religious influences, and social traditions. These holidays are celebrated throughout the year, providing moments for national reflection, cultural expressions, and spiritual observances. While Gabon is predominantly Christian, the public holidays include both Christian and secular observances, as well as celebrations of Gabon’s independence and unity. The holidays allow Gabonese people to come together, whether for religious purposes, to honor their national identity, or to celebrate key historical events.
National Holidays in Gabon
1. New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An) – January 1
Date: January 1
Description: New Year’s Day in Gabon is celebrated with both religious and secular activities. People come together to mark the beginning of the new year, reflecting on the past year and making plans for the year ahead. The day is often filled with family gatherings, community events, and festivities. It is a public holiday, and most businesses, schools, and government offices are closed. In some regions, there are outdoor activities and parties, with fireworks marking the occasion.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
2. Labour Day (Fête du Travail) – May 1
Date: May 1
Description: Labour Day in Gabon celebrates the contributions of workers and the labor movement. It is a day to reflect on workers’ rights, fair wages, and social justice. Labour Day is marked by parades, speeches, and demonstrations organized by labor unions and political groups in major cities such as Libreville. The day emphasizes solidarity and the importance of the working class in the country’s economic and social development. It is a public holiday, and most businesses, government offices, and schools are closed for the day.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
3. Independence Day (Fête de l’Indépendance) – August 16
Date: August 16
Description: Independence Day marks Gabon’s declaration of independence from France on August 16, 1960. This holiday is a significant national celebration that commemorates the country’s sovereignty and the sacrifices made by the people to gain freedom from colonial rule. The day is marked by national ceremonies, military parades, and cultural events throughout the country, especially in Libreville. Independence Day is a time of national pride, where the achievements of Gabon are reflected upon and celebrated.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
4. National Unity Day (Jour de l’Unité Nationale) – December 16
Date: December 16
Description: National Unity Day is a holiday in Gabon that celebrates the nation’s unity and the importance of social cohesion. This holiday is relatively new and is designed to honor the efforts to bring together the diverse peoples of Gabon. The day is marked by national celebrations and public ceremonies aimed at promoting national solidarity, unity, and peace. It is a time for the Gabonese people to reflect on the importance of working together for the greater good of the country.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
5. Christmas Day (Noël) – December 25
Date: December 25
Description: Christmas Day in Gabon is celebrated by Christians across the country to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday is marked by church services, family gatherings, and festive meals. It is an important religious and cultural celebration, and many people attend Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Families gather to exchange gifts, share meals, and enjoy the spirit of goodwill. It is a public holiday in Gabon, and most businesses and government offices are closed.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
6. Good Friday (Vendredi Saint) – Varies (March/April)
Date: Varies (March/April)
Description: Good Friday is a Christian observance that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In Gabon, this day is marked by solemn church services and processions. The holiday is a day of reflection, prayer, and repentance, observed by the Christian community. Churches across the country hold services, and many people take the day to reflect on the significance of Christ’s sacrifice. It is a public holiday in Gabon, and most businesses, government offices, and schools are closed.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
7. Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) – Varies (March/April)
Date: Varies (March/April)
Description: Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Gabon, this day is celebrated with more relaxed gatherings compared to the solemnity of Good Friday. Easter Monday is a day for families to come together, often enjoying a meal and reflecting on the joy of the resurrection. It is a public holiday in Gabon, and many businesses and schools are closed for the day.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
8. Assumption Day (Assomption) – August 15
Date: August 15
Description: Assumption Day celebrates the belief in the Catholic tradition that the Virgin Mary was taken into heaven. In Gabon, this holiday is marked by religious observances, including church services and processions. Catholics in Gabon celebrate this day with devotion, attending Mass and honoring the Virgin Mary’s role in their faith. The holiday is observed nationally, with many government offices and schools closed.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
Religious Holidays in Gabon
1. St. George’s Day (Fête de Saint-Georges) – April 23
Date: April 23
Description: St. George’s Day is a Christian holiday celebrating Saint George, the patron saint of soldiers and farmers. In Gabon, the day is observed with church services, prayers, and processions. The holiday is particularly celebrated in the Catholic and Christian communities. People gather to reflect on the courage and faith of St. George, who is widely revered in Gabon and other parts of Africa.
Observance: Nationally, particularly in Christian communities
Days Off: 1
2. All Saints’ Day (Toussaint) – November 1
Date: November 1
Description: All Saints’ Day is a Christian holiday that honors all saints, both known and unknown. It is a day to reflect on the lives of those who have contributed to the Christian faith and to pray for their intercession. In Gabon, All Saints’ Day is marked by Masses and prayers, especially among Catholic communities. Many people visit cemeteries to honor their deceased loved ones, and the day is observed with reverence.
Observance: Nationally, particularly in Catholic communities
Days Off: 1
3. Immaculate Conception (Immaculée Conception) – December 8
Date: December 8
Description: The Immaculate Conception is a Catholic holiday that celebrates the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin. In Gabon, this day is marked by church services, prayers, and processions, especially among the Catholic community. It is a time to reflect on Mary’s role in Christianity and to honor her as the mother of Christ.
Observance: Nationally, particularly in Catholic communities
Days Off: 1
Other National and Cultural Holidays
1. National Youth Day (Journée Nationale de la Jeunesse) – November 21
Date: November 21
Description: National Youth Day in Gabon celebrates the contributions of young people to the country’s development. It is a day to recognize the energy, creativity, and potential of the youth in shaping the future. The holiday is marked by various events, including educational seminars, cultural performances, and discussions about youth empowerment. The day focuses on encouraging young people to take an active role in nation-building. While not an official public holiday resulting in closures of businesses or schools, the day is widely celebrated across Gabon.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: Not a public holiday, but widely observed
2. National Flag Day (Drapeau Gabonais) – August 9
Date: August 9
Description: National Flag Day honors the Gabonese flag and its significance in representing the country’s unity, sovereignty, and independence. This day is observed with official ceremonies, including flag-raising events, speeches, and public displays of national pride. Schools, government offices, and military institutions hold events to emphasize the importance of the flag and what it stands for in Gabon’s national identity. While it is not a nationwide public holiday resulting in business closures, it is observed with great reverence.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: Not a public holiday, but widely observed
3. National Heroes Day (Journée des Héros Nationaux) – March 8
Date: March 8
Description: National Heroes Day commemorates the contributions of those who have played a significant role in Gabon’s history, particularly those who fought for the country’s independence and freedom. The day is observed with public ceremonies, including speeches and educational programs about the country’s heroes. It is a time for Gabonese citizens to reflect on their national history and honor the sacrifices made by past generations.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: Not a public holiday, but widely observed
Public Holidays Observance and Work Schedule
The following table shows the public holidays, the number of days off, and which groups of people observe the holidays.
| Holiday | Date | Days Off | Groups Observing |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An) | January 1 | 1 | Nationally |
| Labour Day (Fête du Travail) | May 1 | 1 | Nationally |
| Independence Day (Fête de l’Indépendance) | August 16 | 1 | Nationally |
| National Unity Day (Jour de l’Unité Nationale) | December 16 | 1 | Nationally |
| Christmas Day (Noël) | December 25 | 1 | Nationally |
| Good Friday (Vendredi Saint) | Varies (March/April) | 1 | Nationally, Christian communities |
| Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) | Varies (March/April) | 1 | Nationally, Christian communities |
| Assumption Day (Assomption) | August 15 | 1 | Nationally, Christian communities |
| St. George’s Day (Fête de Saint-Georges) | April 23 | 1 | Nationally, Christian communities |
| All Saints’ Day (Toussaint) | November 1 | 1 | Nationally, Catholic communities |
| Immaculate Conception (Immaculée Conception) | December 8 | 1 | Nationally, Catholic communities |
| National Youth Day (Journée Nationale de la Jeunesse) | November 21 | Not official, widely celebrated | Nationally |
| National Flag Day (Drapeau Gabonais) | August 9 | Not official, widely celebrated | Nationally |
| National Heroes Day (Journée des Héros Nationaux) | March 8 | Not official, widely celebrated | Nationally |
