Zimbabwe Public Holidays 2025
Zimbabwe has 11 public holidays and 3 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year's Day | public |
| 18 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | public |
| 18 Apr | Fri | Independence Day | public |
| 20 Apr | Sun | Easter Sunday | observance |
| 21 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday | public |
| 1 May | Thu | Labour Day | public |
| 11 May | Sun | Mother's Day | observance |
| 25 May | Sun | Africa Day | public |
| 15 Jun | Sun | Father's Day | observance |
| 11 Aug | Mon | Heroes' Day | public |
| 12 Aug | Tue | Defence Forces Day | public |
| 22 Dec | Mon | Unity Day | public |
| 25 Dec | Thu | Christmas Day | public |
| 26 Dec | Fri | Boxing Day | public |
About Zimbabwe's Holidays
Zimbabwean holidays mix national history, public days, and cultural events that bring communities together. People celebrate independence and remember struggle heroes with official ceremonies, parades, and moments of silence that honor the past and build national pride.
Religious holidays are important, especially Christian festivals like Christmas and Easter. These are family times with church, meals, and visiting relatives. New Year and other public holidays give people time off work to rest and travel.
Alongside national and religious days there are local cultural festivals and traditional ceremonies. These include music, dance, harvest and rain making events that vary by region and keep tribal customs and community bonds alive.
Holiday Traditions
Holidays in Zimbabwe are full of color and music. People wear bright traditional clothes and sing or dance. There are drummers and mbira players at many gatherings, and dancing helps everyone feel happy and connected.
Families come together to share big meals. Common foods include sadza, grilled meat, vegetables and sweet drinks like maheu. Food is passed around, and cooks take pride in feeding neighbors and relatives.
Public celebrations have parades, church services and speeches. Markets and town centers get busy with stalls, crafts and games. Some people visit graves to remember loved ones, while others enjoy festivals that show national pride and cultural traditions.
Travel Tips
Holiday season in Zimbabwe means many government offices and banks close or have short hours. Some shops and services also operate reduced hours. Plan errands for weekdays before the holidays to avoid problems.
Transport gets busy and schedules change. Flights and long distance buses fill up, so book early. Local taxis and car hire are harder to find on big holiday dates. Drive carefully at night and expect delays.
Tourist sites like Victoria Falls and national parks see more visitors and higher prices. Restaurants near attractions fill up fast. Expect queues and possible limited availability for guided activities.
Useful tips: carry some cash, confirm opening times, book accommodation and tours early, buy a local SIM, pack sunscreen and water, and stay flexible with plans.