Niger Travel Guide - Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
20 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Mohammed). 
24 Mar Easter Monday.
24 Apr National Concord Day.
1 May Labour Day.
3 Aug Independence Day.
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
9 Dec Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Republic Day. 
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Mohammed). 
10 Apr Easter Monday.
13 Apr National Concord Day.
1 May Labour Day.
3 Aug Independence Day.
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
28 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Republic Day. 
25 Dec Christmas Day.

(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Tabaski may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. (b) Niger’s small Christian community also observes Easter, Whitsun, Ascension, Assumption, All Saints’ Day and Christmas.