Guinea-Bissau will celebrate ten public holidays in 2025. This post explains the significance and customs of the public holidays in Guinea-Bissau in 2025. The holidays include religious festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Christmas Day. Other holidays honor Guinea-Bissau’s history, like National Day marking independence.
Some days, they recognize important people, workers’ rights, or women’s achievements. During the holidays, Guineans take part in special events like parades, prayers, family gatherings, and cultural performances. These days give people a chance to celebrate their culture and values. Learn more about how Guinea-Bissau observes these meaningful public holidays.
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Public Holidays In Guinea-Bissau In 2025
In Guinea-Bissau, there will be ten public holidays in 2025. Three of the holidays from them fall on weekends. Here is the complete list of the public holidays in Guinea-Bissau in 2025.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
| New Year’s Day | Jan 01, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Heroes’ Day | Jan 20, 2025 | Monday |
| International Women’s Day | Mar 08, 2025 | Saturday |
| Eid al-Fitr | Mar 31, 2025 | Monday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2025 | Thursday |
| Eid al-Adha | Jun 07, 2025 | Saturday |
| Martyrs’ Day | Aug 03, 2025 | Sunday |
| National Day | Sep 24, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Readjustment Movement Day | Nov 14, 2025 | Friday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2025 | Thursday |
This is the table that shows the public holidays in Guinea-Bissau in 2025. Below are the significance and customs of these holidays.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day marks the start of a new year on the Gregorian calendar. It is a time to celebrate, consider the past year, and look forward to the new year. Many people go to church services or meet with family and friends to eat particular foods and wish each other well for the upcoming year.
The holiday means a fresh start and a chance to leave behind last year’s problems. There are celebrations with music, dancing, and fireworks. It is also a time to make plans and goals for personal growth and success in the coming months.
Heroes’ Day
Heroes’ Day is a big holiday in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. It happens every year on January 20th. This day is to remember Amilcar Cabral, who fought for their independence. Cabral died on January 20, 1973.
On Heroes’ Day, people honor Cabral and other brave people who gave their lives to gain freedom from colonial rule. There are memorial events and programs to teach about Cabral’s life and the struggle for independence.
International Women’s Day
In Guinea-Bissau, International Women’s Day honors the achievements of women. This day recognizes the important contributions of women in society, the economy, culture, and politics. It promotes equality between men and women. The day raises awareness about issues affecting women’s rights and empowerment.
There are rallies, workshops, and performances to honor the strength and courage of women in Guinea. It highlights efforts to address discrimination and violence against women. The day celebrates progress and renews the commitment to creating a more equal society for all.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important religious celebrations in Guinea-Bissau. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The day celebrates the end of a month of fasting, spiritual reflection, and devotion.
Families gather for special prayers, exchange gifts, and enjoy big feasts with traditional dishes. Children often get new clothes and small gifts. People are happy and thankful as they see friends and family, eat meals, and join in cultural events. The day is a time for forgiveness, charity, and strengthening family and social bonds.
Labour Day
Labour Day is an important holiday in Guinea-Bissau. It celebrates the achievements and rights of workers. Trade unions, labor groups, and workers from different industries come together. They honor the struggles and sacrifices of the labor movement. There are rallies, marches, and public gatherings.
They advocate for better working conditions, fair pay, and workers’ rights. Speeches and cultural performances show the importance of workers’ contributions. The day reminds us to focus on creating good jobs, ensuring workers’ security, and caring for their well-being. It emphasizes the significance of job opportunities and worker welfare.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. It is another significant Islamic celebration in Guinea-Bissau. This day marks the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who was willing to sacrifice his son to obey God. Muslims gather for prayers and sacrifice animals, sheep or goats as a symbolic act. They also share the meat with family, friends, and those in need.
Eid al-Adha is a time for thanksgiving, charity, and strengthening community bonds. Families gather for big feasts, exchange gifts, and take part in cultural activities. The holiday promotes sacrifice, obedience, and compassion. It also fosters unity and solidarity among believers.
Martyrs’ Day
Martyrs’ Day honors those who died in the struggle for independence from Portuguese colonial rule. It also remembers the Pidjiguiti massacre on August 3, 1959. People respect the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s freedom and sovereignty. There are memorial services, wreath ceremonies, and cultural events.
Speeches and education programs emphasize the need to remember the country’s history. They also focus on the sacrifices made for a brighter future. The day reminds people of efforts to preserve hard-won freedom and honor those who died for independence.
National Day
Guinea-Bissau celebrates National Day on September 24. This day marks the country’s independence from Portugal in 1973. This public holiday is a source of great pride and patriotism.
Celebrations often consist of military parades. Cultural performances are also common. The festivities show the traditions of the country. They also highlight the diversity of the people. It highlights the rich cultural heritage of the nation.
People take part in patriotic activities and public gatherings and display the national flag as a symbol of unity and identity.
National Day reminds people of the sacrifices made for self-determination. It highlights the need to protect independence and promote growth and success. It stresses the importance of preserving these values.
Readjustment Movement Day
The Readjustment Movement Day marks a special moment in the country’s past. People remember an important event every year. This military coup d’état took place on September 14, 2003.
This public holiday reminds us of the country’s past struggles. It also highlights the current work to keep things stable and moving forward.
Various events and discussions occur on this day. They help us learn from the past and promote national unity, democratic values, and peaceful conflict resolution.
The holiday in Guinea-Bissau remembers a tough time in its history. It also shows the people’s strength and desire to create a better future for the country.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is a popular holiday in Guinea-Bissau. It is widely celebrated in this country, which has a Christian majority. This festive occasion marks the birth of Jesus Christ and is a time of joy, family gatherings, and religious observances.
Christians go to church for special services. They give gifts to each other. They also eat traditional Christmas meals. These meals include leitão (roasted suckling pig) and canja (chicken soup).
Homes and public spaces are often decorated with lights and displays. Christmas Day brings families together. They share love and generosity. They celebrate peace, hope, and goodwill towards all.