Public Holidays in Ethiopia

Public holidays in Ethiopia are observed according to the Ethiopian (Julian) Calendar, which consists of twelve months of 30 days each and a thirteenth month of five days (or six days in a leap year). The Ethiopian calendar is approximately seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar used in the West. The Ethiopian New Year begins in September.
Sunday is observed as the weekly day of rest.

National and Religious Holidays

  • September 11 – Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash)

  • September 27 – Finding of the True Cross (Meskel)

  • November 30 – Birth of Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid al-Nabi)*

  • January 7 – Ethiopian Christmas (Genna)

  • January 19 – Ethiopian Epiphany (Timket)

  • March 2 – Victory of Adwa

  • April 6 – Ethiopian Good Friday*

  • April 8 – Ethiopian Easter (Fasika)*

  • May 1 – International Labour Day

  • May 5 – Ethiopian Patriots’ Victory Day

  • May 28 – Downfall of the Derg Regime

  • June 15 – Eid al-Fitr*

  • August 21 – Eid al-Adha*