Tanzania marks national, Christian and Islamic holidays. Banks and government offices close, and some shops keep shorter hours, but safaris, hotels and climbs run as normal. A few festivals are worth planning a trip around.
Fixed public holidays
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 12 January | Zanzibar Revolution Day |
| 7 April | Karume Day |
| 26 April | Union Day, marking the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964 |
| 1 May | Workers’ Day |
| 7 July | Saba Saba, Trade Day |
| 8 August | Nane Nane, Farmers’ Day |
| 14 October | Nyerere Day, remembering the first president |
| 9 December | Independence Day |
| 25–26 December | Christmas and Boxing Day |
Holidays that move
- Good Friday and Easter Monday.
- Eid al-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha.
- Maulid, the Prophet’s birthday, celebrated especially in Zanzibar and Lamu-style coastal towns.
Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar and move about 11 days earlier each year. Read the best time to visit Zanzibar for Ramadan advice.
Festivals
| Festival | When | What |
|---|---|---|
| Sauti za Busara | February | African music festival in Stone Town’s Old Fort |
| Kilimanjaro Marathon | Late February or early March | Marathon and shorter races in Moshi |
| Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) | July | Films, music and art in Stone Town |
| Mwaka Kogwa | July | Shirazi New Year celebration in Makunduchi, Zanzibar |
| Bulabo | June–July | Sukuma dance festival near Mwanza |
Exact dates change each year, so check before you book.
Christmas and New Year
This is a busy travel season. Lodges and Zanzibar hotels fill up early, and some add a supplement for a festive dinner. Book well ahead.
Read Tanzanian culture and etiquette.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Safaris, climbs and hotels operate as normal. Banks and government offices close.
Usually in February, in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Check the dates each year.
9 December, marking Tanganyika’s independence in 1961.
