Mauritania Public Holidays 2025
Mauritania has 8 public holidays and 0 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year's Day | public |
| 30 Mar | Sun | End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) | public |
| 1 May | Thu | Labour Day | public |
| 25 May | Sun | Africa Day | public |
| 6 Jun | Fri | Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) | public |
| 26 Jun | Thu | Islamic New Year | public |
| 4 Sep | Thu | Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) | public |
| 28 Nov | Fri | Independence Day | public |
About Mauritania's Holidays
Mauritania mixes Islamic and national holidays. Most public holidays follow Islam and the lunar calendar so dates move each year. Banks, schools, and government offices close for big celebrations and official days.
Religious festivals shape family and community life. People gather for special prayers, shared meals, charity, and giving to the poor. One festival involves animal sacrifice and sharing meat. Ramadan brings fasting by day and joyful feasts at night.
National holidays mark independence and workers rights. They feature official ceremonies, speeches, and sometimes parades. Cultural traditions like music, dress, and food are woven into both religious and national occasions, making holidays public, social, and deeply meaningful.
Holiday Traditions
In Mauritania people celebrate holidays with prayer, singing, and visiting family. Religious customs guide many celebrations, so people often begin with mosque visits and quiet reflection. Respect and hospitality are important.
Food is central. Families share special dishes like rich stews, rice, and sweet tea. Guests are offered the best portions. Preparing food is a group activity where elders teach recipes to younger people.
Families gather at home for long visits. Children receive small gifts and elders receive respect. Storytelling, music and traditional drums bring people together. Guests stay for several hours or the whole day.
Public celebrations are calm and community focused. Markets may be lively, and people wear traditional clothes. Charity and helping neighbors are common customs during holidays.
Travel Tips
During the holiday season in Mauritania (mr), many government offices, banks, and some shops close for one or more days. Markets and small shops in neighborhoods may stay open, but hours can be shorter. Plan errands around possible closures.
Public transport like buses and shared taxis run but schedules can be irregular. Flights may be limited and sell out around big holidays. Roads to cities and towns get busy as people travel to visit family. Expect delays and extras costs for taxis on busy days.
Bring cash because ATMs and banks might be closed. Book flights and hotels early. Keep flexible plans and extra time for travel. Learn a few local phrases and respect local customs to make the trip smoother.