Cape Verde Public Holidays 2025
Cape Verde has 13 public holidays and 1 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year's Day | public |
| 13 Jan | Mon | Democracy Day | public |
| 20 Jan | Mon | Heroes' Day | public |
| 4 Mar | Tue | Shrove Tuesday | public |
| 5 Mar | Wed | Ash Wednesday | public |
| 18 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | public |
| 20 Apr | Sun | Easter Sunday | observance |
| 1 May | Thu | Labour Day | public |
| 1 Jun | Sun | Children's Day | public |
| 5 Jul | Sat | Independence Day | public |
| 15 Aug | Fri | Assumption | public |
| 12 Sep | Fri | National Day | public |
| 1 Nov | Sat | All Saints' Day | public |
| 25 Dec | Thu | Christmas Day | public |
About Cape Verde's Holidays
Cape Verde marks a few big national moments and many local cultural celebrations. Independence Day is the main national holiday, and public holidays also include New Year, Labour Day and Christmas as days off work and school.
Religious holidays such as Good Friday and other Christian feasts are widely observed with church services and family gatherings. Carnival is a lively island event with parades, music and colorful costumes, especially famous in Mindelo and on São Vicente island.
Local festivals honor saints and community traditions, featuring folk music styles like morna and funana. These cultural days vary by island, so each island adds its own flavor to the national holiday calendar.
Holiday Traditions
Holidays in Cape Verde blend African and Portuguese roots with island ways. People decorate homes and streets with bright cloth, flowers, and music. Traditional songs and dances are everywhere, usually with lively percussion and guitar.
Families gather for big meals and long visits. Home cooking features fresh fish, corn, beans, cassava and cachupa, the hearty stew many islands share. Sweets and coffee follow, and elders are honored for stories and blessings.
Public celebrations fill plazas with parades, dancing, and community feasts. Churches often hold special services and towns hold cultural shows. Everyone joins in, mixing family warmth with public joy, making holidays feel both close and festive.
Travel Tips
The holiday season in Cape Verde is busy, especially late December and early January. Many government offices and some shops close on public holidays. Hotels and restaurants may change opening hours or offer special menus.
Transport gets crowded. Book flights and inter island ferries well ahead. Ferries can be delayed or canceled due to weather. Taxis and car rentals may be harder to find on major holidays.
Expect resorts and popular beaches to be full. Prices for flights and rooms often rise. Airports and ferry terminals are busiest around Christmas and New Year.
Plan early. Reserve accommodation and transport, carry some cash, check local holiday dates, pack for sun and wind, and consider travel insurance for weather or schedule changes.