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Public Holidays

Cape Verde National Public Holidays (2024)

Cape Verde is a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. If you're planning to visit the country in 2024, it's important to be aware of the local public holidays when planning your trip. Here is a list of public holidays in Cape Verde for 2024:

  • January 01: New Year
  • January 13: Democracy and Freedom Day
  • January 20: National Heroes Day
  • February 13: Shrove Tuesday (regional public holiday) 
  • February 14: Ash Wednesday (movable holiday)
  • March 29: Good Friday (movable holiday)
  • March 31: Easter Sunday (movable holiday)
  • May 01: Workers' Day
  • June 01: World Children's Day
  • July 05: Independence Day from Cape Verde
  • August 15: National Patroness's Day / Assumption of Our Lady
  • November 01: All Saints' Day
  • December 25: Christmas
 

Cape Verde's commemorative dates and municipal holidays

Apart from national holidays, Cape Verde also celebrates the dates of the municipalities. These are local commemorative dates, which are proclaimed as public holidays according to the local authorities. 

 The municipal or regional commemorative dates per island of Cape Verde the following:

Holidays in the municipalities of Santo Antão

  • January 17: Santo Antão Island Day (in memory of the discovery of the island on January 17, 1462)
  • May 7th: Ribeira Grande Municipality Day
  • June 13: Paúl municipality day (and patron saint St. Anthony)
  • September 2nd: Porto Novo Municipal Day

 

Holidays Island of São Vicente

  • January 22nd: St. Vincent Municipal Day (and patron saint St. Vincent)

 

Municipal holidays of Island of São Nicolau

  • August 2: Day of the municipality of Tarrafal de São Nicolau
  • December 6: day of the municipality of Ribeira Brava (and patron saint São Nicolau)

 

Holidays Island of Sal

  • September 15: Municipal Day (and patron saint Our Lady of Sorrows)

 

Holidays Island of Boavista

  • July 4: Municipal Day (and patron saint St. Elizabeth)

 

Holidays Island of Maio

  • September 8th: May Day

 

Holidays in the municipalities of Island of Santiago

  • January 15: day of the municipality of Tarrafal de Santiago (and patron saint Santo Amaro)
  • January 31: day of the municipality of Ribeira Grande de Santiago
  • March 13: Municipal day of São Domingos
  • May 9: Day of the municipality of São Lourenço dos Órgãos
  • May 19th: Praia Municipal Day
  • July 19: Day of the municipality of San Salvador del Mundo
  • July 25: City of Santa Cruz Day
  • September 29: Day of the municipality of São Miguel
  • November 25: Day of the municipality of Santa Catarina de Santiago

 

Municipal holidays Island of Fogo

  • May 1st: day of the municipality of São Filipe (and patron saint São Filipe)
  • August 15th: Monasteries Town Day
  • November 25: day of the municipality of Santa Catarina del Fuego (and patron saint Santa Catarina)

 

Island Holidays Brava

  • June 24: day of the municipality of Brava (and patron saint St. John the Baptist)

 

Conclusion

Bear in mind that during public holidays, many businesses and stores may be closed or have reduced opening hours. This can affect your travel plans, so plan ahead and check the opening hours of the tourist attractions you want to visit.

In addition, public services are closed on public holidays (except essential services - health, public safety, etc.).

Bars and restaurants are usually open on public holidays, but not all of them are open on Christmas and New Year's Day.

On the other hand, public holidays are often accompanied by local events and celebrations. This can be a great opportunity to experience Cape Verdean culture and to socialize with the locals. Make the most of your trip to Cape Verde and enjoy the public holidays of 2024!