Burkina Faso Travel Guide - Public Holidays

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

2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
3 Jan Anniversary of the 1966 Coup d'État.
10 Jan El am Hejir (New Year).
8 Mar Women's Day. 
20 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). 
24 Mar Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
1 May Ascension.
4 Aug Revolution Day.
5 Aug Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
2 Oct Aid El Segheir (End of Ramadan).
15 Oct Anniversary of the 1987 Coup d'État.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
9 Dec Aid El Kébir (Feast of the Sacrifice).
11 Dec Proclamation of the Republic. 
25 Dec Christmas.
29 Dec El am Hejir (New Year).

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
3 Jan Anniversary of the 1966 Coup d'État.
20 Jan El am Hejir (New Year).
8 Mar Women's Day. 
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
21 May Ascension.
4 Aug Revolution Day.
5 Aug Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
21 Sep Aid El Segheir (End of Ramadan).
15 Oct Anniversary of the 1987 Coup d'État.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
28 Nov Aid El Kébir (Feast of the Sacrifice).
11 Dec Proclamation of the Republic. 
25 Dec Christmas.

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 Aid El Segheir, 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 Aid El Segheir itself. Aid El Segheir and Aid El Kébir may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.