Ethiopia Public Holidays 2025
Ethiopia has 13 public holidays and 0 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Jan | Mon | Christmas Day | public |
| 19 Jan | Sun | Epiphany | public |
| 1 Mar | Sat | First day of Ramadan | public |
| 2 Mar | Sun | Victory at Adwa Day | public |
| 28 Mar | Fri | Day of Lament | public |
| 30 Mar | Sun | End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) | public |
| 18 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | public |
| 20 Apr | Sun | Easter Sunday | public |
| 28 May | Wed | Derg Downfall Day | public |
| 6 Jun | Fri | Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) | public |
| 4 Sep | Thu | Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) | public |
| 11 Sep | Thu | New Year's Day | public |
| 27 Sep | Sat | Finding of the True Cross | public |
About Ethiopia's Holidays
Ethiopia has many important holidays rooted in religion, history, and culture. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church shapes much of the calendar, while Muslim and civic traditions also play big roles. Holidays are times for family, music, and feasting.
Key celebrations include the Ethiopian New Year, big Orthodox festivals like Timkat and Meskel, and Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Muslim festivals like Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha are widely observed. Civic public holidays mark workers, historic victories, and national unity.
Public life slows during major holidays. Schools, banks, and many shops close. Dates often follow the Ethiopian calendar, so they fall on different days than in the Gregorian calendar most countries use.
Holiday Traditions
Ethiopian holidays mix church and local customs. People wear white cotton clothes called shamma for respect. Religious services, blessings, and colorful processions are common. Many traditions follow ancient calendars and show deep community bonds and history.
Food is central. Families prepare injera with stews, spiced dishes, and special breads. Meals are shared from a common plate to show unity. Younger people often greet elders with respect and gifts, and homes are cleaned and decorated for visitors.
Public celebrations have music, drum and lyre playing, and group dances. Markets bustle with new goods. Coffee ceremonies are held to welcome guests. Cities host parades while villages keep older, close knit rituals alive.
Travel Tips
During Ethiopia holiday season many government offices, banks and some shops close or run reduced hours. Tourist sites usually stay open but can be crowded. Expect markets and restaurants to be busiest on main holiday days and weekends.
Public transport and taxis get crowded and slower. Intercity buses may sell out and trains or flights fill up earlier. Some services like government counters, post offices and clinics may have limited hours, so plan any official business before or after holidays.
Book flights, trains and hotels early. Carry extra cash since some ATMs and banks close. Keep flexible plans and spare time for delays. Respect local customs and dress codes to make your trip smoother and friendlier.