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Upcoming Holidays and Celebrations in Senegal

Senegal

Day Date Holiday Type
Sunday Jan 01,2023 New Year Public Holiday
Thursday Mar 23,2023 Ramadan Start Observance
Tuesday Apr 04,2023 Independence Day Public Holiday
Monday Apr 10,2023 Easter Monday Public Holiday
Saturday Apr 22,2023 Korité Public Holiday
Monday May 01,2023 Labour Day Public Holiday
Thursday May 18,2023 Ascension Day Public Holiday
Sunday May 28,2023 Mother's Day Observance
Monday May 29,2023 Whit Monday Public Holiday
Sunday Jun 18,2023 Father's Day Observance
Thursday Jun 29,2023 Tabaski Public Holiday
Friday Jul 28,2023 Tamkharit Public Holiday
Tuesday Aug 15,2023 Assumption of Mary Public Holiday
Monday Sep 04,2023 Grand Magal de Touba Public Holiday
Wednesday Sep 27,2023 Maouloud (Tentative Date) Public Holiday
Wednesday Nov 01,2023 All Saints' Day Public Holiday
Monday Dec 25,2023 Christmas Day Public Holiday
**Note: While we strive for accuracy in researching and updating holiday dates, some information in the table above might be preliminary. Should you come across any discrepancies, kindly inform us so we can ensure precise information. Thank you for your understanding!

New Year

New Year's Day, celebrated on January 1st, marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year in Senegal. It is a time for joyous celebrations, parties, and fireworks. Senegalese people gather with family and friends to usher in the new year with hopes of prosperity and good fortune. It's a time to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the future.

Ramadan Start

Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in Islam, begins with the sighting of the new moon. Muslims in Senegal observe fasting from dawn to sunset during this month. It is a time for spiritual reflection, increased devotion, and acts of charity. The community comes together for special prayers and meals before sunrise and after sunset. Ramadan holds great cultural and religious significance in Senegal.

Independence Day

Independence Day on April 4th commemorates Senegal's liberation from French colonial rule in 1960. This national holiday is celebrated with parades, cultural events, and fireworks. It's a time to honor Senegal's history and cultural heritage, emphasizing the country's sovereignty and freedom.

Easter Monday

Easter Monday is observed in Senegal as a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It falls on the day after Easter Sunday and is marked by church services and family gatherings. While not as widely celebrated as in some other countries, it is an important day for the Christian community in Senegal.

Korité

Korité, also known as Eid al-Fitr, is a significant religious holiday in Senegal celebrated by Muslims. It marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting. Families come together for special prayers at the mosque, share festive meals, and exchange gifts. It's a time of gratitude, forgiveness, and charity, strengthening the sense of community.

Labour Day

Labour Day, celebrated on May 1st, recognizes the achievements and contributions of workers in Senegal. It's a day for labor unions, government officials, and workers to come together, discuss labor-related issues, and advocate for workers' rights. Parades and rallies are common on this day. Labour Day underscores the importance of labor rights and solidarity.

Ascension Day

Ascension Day is a Christian holiday in Senegal commemorating the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. It falls 40 days after Easter Sunday. Church services are held to mark this event, and it's a time for religious reflection and devotion for the Christian community in Senegal.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a day to honor and appreciate mothers and maternal figures in Senegal. Celebrated on the last Sunday in May, it's a time for children to express their love and gratitude through gifts, cards, and special gestures. The cultural importance lies in recognizing the vital role mothers play in families and society.

Whit Monday

Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, is a Christian holiday celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. It is observed on the day after Pentecost, which is 50 days after Easter Sunday. In Senegal, it is a day for special church services and religious gatherings, emphasizing the Christian faith's significance.

Father's Day

Father's Day, typically celebrated on the third Sunday in June, is a day to honor and appreciate fathers and paternal figures in Senegal. Children express their love and gratitude through gifts and special gestures. It's a day to recognize the important role fathers play in families and society.

Tabaski

Tabaski, also known as Eid al-Adha, is a major Islamic festival in Senegal. It commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command. Families gather for special prayers, sacrifice livestock, and share the meat with those in need. Tabaski highlights the importance of faith, sacrifice, and charity in Senegalese culture.

Tamkharit

Tamkharit is the Islamic New Year in Senegal, celebrated on the first day of the Islamic lunar calendar, Muharram. It is a time for Muslims to engage in prayers, reflect on their faith, and seek blessings for the year ahead. While not as widely celebrated as other Islamic holidays, it holds cultural and spiritual significance.

Assumption of Mary

Assumption of Mary is a Christian feast day in Senegal celebrating the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken into heaven both body and soul. It is observed with church services and religious processions. This day emphasizes the importance of Mary in the Christian faith and her role as a symbol of devotion.

Grand Magal de Touba

Grand Magal de Touba is an annual pilgrimage and celebration of the life and teachings of Sheikh Amadou Bamba, the founder of the Mouride Brotherhood. Thousands of Mouride followers gather in Touba to pay homage, pray, and participate in communal activities. This event highlights the cultural and religious significance of the Mouride Brotherhood in Senegal.

Maouloud (Tentative Date)

Maouloud celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad in the Islamic calendar month of Rabi' al-awwal. It is observed with prayers, processions, and communal gatherings. The exact date may vary, as it follows the Islamic lunar calendar. Maouloud holds great spiritual significance for Muslims in Senegal.

All Saints' Day

All Saints' Day, celebrated on November 1st, is a Christian holiday in Senegal dedicated to honoring all saints, known and unknown. It is a time for special church services and remembrance of the deceased. All Saints' Day underscores the importance of the Christian faith and the belief in the communion of saints.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day in Senegal is a Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. While not as widely celebrated as in some other countries, it is observed with church services, carol singing, and gatherings with family and friends. It is a time to celebrate the central figure of Christianity and spread joy and goodwill.