Kenya Public Holidays 2025
Kenya has 14 public holidays and 0 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed | New Year's Day | public | |
| Sun | End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) | public | |
| Fri | Good Friday | public | |
| Sun | Easter Sunday | public | |
| Mon | Easter Monday | public | |
| Thu | Labour Day | public | |
| Sun | Madaraka Day | public | |
| Mon | Madaraka Day (substitute day) | public | |
| Fri | Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) | public | |
| Fri | Moi Day | public | |
| Mon | Mashujaa Day | public | |
| Fri | Jamhuri Day | public | |
| Thu | Christmas Day | public | |
| Fri | Boxing Day | public |
About Kenya's Holidays
Kenya has several big national and public holidays that everyone notices. There are days that mark the country becoming self ruled and then a republic, plus a day honoring national heroes and a workers day. These are widely celebrated with parades and speeches.
Religious holidays are also very important. Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter are public holidays. Muslim festivals such as Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha are public too. Their dates move each year because they follow the lunar calendar, so people check the calendar each year.
On public holidays banks, schools, and many offices close. People often use these days to visit family, attend church or mosque, and join community events.
Holiday Traditions
In Kenya people celebrate holidays with lots of color and music. Families dress in bright clothes and clap to drum beats. Many communities sing traditional songs and perform dances that show history and local pride. Children join in with excitement and games.
Food is very important. Families cook special meals like stews, roasted meat, rice and chapati. Guests are welcomed and plates are shared. Eating together is a way to show love and respect.
Public celebrations mix tradition and modern life. Cities hold parades, cultural shows and official ceremonies. Markets are busy and folk crafts are sold. People of different backgrounds join to celebrate unity and national identity.
Travel Tips
Visiting Kenya (ke) during the holiday season means many government offices and some banks close on public holidays. Tourist sites, shops and restaurants may stay open, but hours can change. Plan for limited official services.
Transportation gets crowded, especially buses, trains and flights. Book intercity travel and domestic flights early. Road traffic rises in cities like Nairobi and Mombasa around celebrations, so allow extra travel time for transfers and tours.
Popular parks and safari lodges fill up fast. Reserve camps and guided tours well ahead. ATMs and bank services may be slower on holidays, so carry cash and use mobile money for small payments.
Carry ID, confirm booking times, and expect higher prices for travel and lodgings.