🇨🇻 Cape Verde's public holidays in 2026 at a glance
Cape Verde has 12 nationwide public holidays in 2026. That puts Cape Verde joint 55th out of the 100 countries we track, level with 13 others. The median across those 100 is 13, so this is a short list. 8 fall on a weekday and 4 on a Saturday or Sunday. The year opens with New Year's Day on 1 January and closes with Christmas Day on 25 December. January is the busiest month with 3. Nothing at all falls in March, September or October. This list covers holidays observed across the whole country. Many countries add regional or state holidays on top, and whether a given day is paid depends on your employer, so check locally before you book around it.
Cape Verde public holidays in January 2026
New Year's Day (Ano Novo) on 1 January, Democracy and Freedom Day (Dia da Liberdade e da Democracia) on 13 January and National Heroes Day (Dia da Nacionalidade e dos Heróis Nacionais) on 20 January.
Cape Verde public holidays in February 2026
Ash Wednesday (Quarta-feira de Cinzas) on 18 February.
Cape Verde public holidays in March 2026
There are no public holidays in Cape Verde in March 2026.
Cape Verde public holidays in April 2026
Good Friday (Sexta-feira Santa) on 3 April and Easter Sunday (Páscoa) on 5 April.
Cape Verde public holidays in May 2026
Worker's Day (Dia do Trabalhador) on 1 May.
Cape Verde public holidays in June 2026
International Children's Day (Dia Mundial da Criança) on 1 June.
Cape Verde public holidays in July 2026
National Independence Day (Dia da Independência Nacional) on 5 July.
Cape Verde public holidays in August 2026
Assumption Day (Dia da Assunção) on 15 August.
Cape Verde public holidays in September 2026
There are no public holidays in Cape Verde in September 2026.
Cape Verde public holidays in October 2026
There are no public holidays in Cape Verde in October 2026.
Cape Verde public holidays in November 2026
All Saints' Day (Dia de Todos os Santos) on 1 November.
Cape Verde public holidays in December 2026
Christmas Day (Dia do Natal) on 25 December.
Long weekends and bridge days in Cape Verde in 2026
On 4 occasions in 2026 a Cape Verde holiday lands on a Friday or a Monday, which turns the adjoining weekend into a three-day break with no leave used at all. Another 3 fall exactly one day away from the weekend, so a single day of leave buys four days off.
- Good Friday (Friday, 3 April) — falls on a Friday, so the weekend that follows is a three-day break with no leave used.
- Worker's Day (Friday, 1 May) — falls on a Friday, so the weekend that follows is a three-day break with no leave used.
- International Children's Day (Monday, 1 June) — falls on a Monday, so the weekend before it stretches to three days.
- Christmas Day (Friday, 25 December) — falls on a Friday, so the weekend that follows is a three-day break with no leave used.
- New Year's Day (Thursday, 1 January) — book the Friday after it and you get four days in a row for one day of leave.
- Democracy and Freedom Day (Tuesday, 13 January) — book the Monday before it and you get four days in a row for one day of leave.
- National Heroes Day (Tuesday, 20 January) — book the Monday before it and you get four days in a row for one day of leave.
Cape Verde public holidays — common questions
How many public holidays does Cape Verde have in 2026?
Cape Verde has 12 nationwide public holidays in 2026, 8 of which fall on a weekday. The count covers days observed across the whole country; regional and state holidays are not included, and whether a day is paid depends on the employer.
When is the first public holiday of 2026 in Cape Verde?
It is New Year's Day on 1 January, a Thursday. The last is Christmas Day on 25 December.
Which Cape Verde holidays create a long weekend in 2026?
Good Friday (Friday, 3 April), Worker's Day (Friday, 1 May), International Children's Day (Monday, 1 June) and Christmas Day (Friday, 25 December) fall on a Friday or a Monday, so the weekend beside them runs to three days without using any leave.
Do businesses close on public holidays in Cape Verde?
Banks, government offices and schools generally close on national public holidays in Cape Verde, while shops, restaurants and transport often run reduced hours rather than shutting entirely. If you are working remotely from Cape Verde, expect slower replies from local suppliers and government services on these dates.