Holiday calendar

Public holidays in Sao Tome and Principe

dates, names and what's closed

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

It's worth planning around Sao Tome and Principe's holiday calendar: attractions, museums and banks close, public transport switches to a holiday timetable, and flight and hotel prices around long weekends jump. On the upside — festivals, parades and markets you won't see on an ordinary day.

Coming up

Upcoming public holidays in Sao Tome and Principe

Monday 21 DecemberSão Tomé Day · Dia de São Tomé
Friday 25 DecemberChristmas Day · Natal
Friday 1 January 2027New Year's Day · Ano Novo
Wednesday 3 February 2027Martyrs' Day · Dia dos Mártires
Friday 30 April 2027Labour Day (substitute day) · Dia do trabalhador (substitute day)
Saturday 1 May 2027Labour Day · Dia do trabalhador
Monday 12 July 2027Independence Day · Dia da Independência
Monday 6 September 2027Armed Forces Day · Dia das Forças Armadas
Thursday 30 September 2027Agricultural Reform Day · Dia da Reforma Agrária

All 2026 holidays in Sao Tome and Principe

Thursday 1 JanuaryNew Year's Day · Ano Novo
Tuesday 3 FebruaryMartyrs' Day · Dia dos Mártires
Friday 1 MayLabour Day · Dia do trabalhador
Sunday 12 JulyIndependence Day · Dia da Independência
Monday 13 JulyIndependence Day (substitute day) · Dia da Independência (substitute day)
Sunday 6 SeptemberArmed Forces Day · Dia das Forças Armadas
Monday 7 SeptemberArmed Forces Day (substitute day) · Dia das Forças Armadas (substitute day)
Wednesday 30 SeptemberAgricultural Reform Day · Dia da Reforma Agrária
Monday 21 DecemberSão Tomé Day · Dia de São Tomé
Friday 25 DecemberChristmas Day · Natal

If you're timing a trip to a holiday

Flights & hotels for Sao Tome and Principe

Long weekends around a holiday fill up early and prices climb. Check dates around São Tomé Day (Monday 21 December) now.

Check flight prices to Sao Tome and Principe, every airline at once.

Rates in Sao Tome and Principe shift daily. See what your night costs now.

Q&A

Answers to your questions

What's the next public holiday in Sao Tome and Principe?

São Tomé Day — Monday 21 December.

How many public holidays does Sao Tome and Principe have?

Sao Tome and Principe has 10 public holidays in 2026. Government offices and banks close, and some attractions and shops may be closed or on reduced hours.

What's closed on public holidays in Sao Tome and Principe?

Banks, government offices and post offices close. Many supermarkets and shops close or run reduced hours, especially in smaller towns. Public transport usually shifts to a weekend timetable, and museums and attractions vary — check ahead.

Is it worth visiting Sao Tome and Principe during a holiday?

It depends on the holiday. Ones with a public tradition — markets, parades, fireworks — are an experience in themselves. Ones where everything shuts and locals stay home are less convenient. The list above flags what to expect on each date.

Are shops open on Sundays in Sao Tome and Principe?

Some European countries restrict Sunday and holiday trading by law; others don't. In big cities and tourist areas something is always open, but don't count on a big shop run on a Sunday or holiday.

← Full Sao Tome and Principe guide Holidays worldwide

About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Dates: date-holidays

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