Public holidays
São Tomé & Príncipe: 12 public holiday dates in 2026 (12 days off) and 12 in 2027 (12 days off), with 252 working days in 2026 and 251 in 2027. National holidays only: regional ones are not included.
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 1 January 2026 | 2026-W01 | New Year's Day | Yes |
| Sunday 4 January 2026 | 2026-W01 | Day of King Amador | Yes |
| Monday 5 January 2026 | 2026-W02 | Day of King Amador | Yes |
| Tuesday 3 February 2026 | 2026-W06 | Martyrs' Day | Yes |
| Friday 1 May 2026 | 2026-W18 | Worker's Day | Yes |
| Sunday 12 July 2026 | 2026-W28 | Independence Day | Yes |
| Monday 13 July 2026 | 2026-W29 | Independence Day | Yes |
| Sunday 6 September 2026 | 2026-W36 | Armed Forces Day | Yes |
| Monday 7 September 2026 | 2026-W37 | Armed Forces Day | Yes |
| Wednesday 30 September 2026 | 2026-W40 | Agricultural Reform Day | Yes |
| Monday 21 December 2026 | 2026-W52 | São Tomé Day | Yes |
| Friday 25 December 2026 | 2026-W52 | Christmas Day | Yes |
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 1 January 2027 | 2026-W53 | New Year's Day | Yes |
| Monday 4 January 2027 | 2027-W01 | Day of King Amador | Yes |
| Wednesday 3 February 2027 | 2027-W05 | Martyrs' Day | Yes |
| Friday 30 April 2027 | 2027-W17 | Worker's Day | Yes |
| Saturday 1 May 2027 | 2027-W17 | Worker's Day | Yes |
| Monday 12 July 2027 | 2027-W28 | Independence Day | Yes |
| Monday 6 September 2027 | 2027-W36 | Armed Forces Day | Yes |
| Thursday 30 September 2027 | 2027-W39 | Agricultural Reform Day | Yes |
| Tuesday 21 December 2027 | 2027-W51 | São Tomé Day | Yes |
| Friday 24 December 2027 | 2027-W51 | Christmas Day | Yes |
| Saturday 25 December 2027 | 2027-W51 | Christmas Day | Yes |
| Friday 31 December 2027 | 2027-W52 | New Year's Day | Yes |
| Month | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 19 | −1 |
| February | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| March | 22 | 23 | +1 |
| April | 22 | 21 | −1 |
| May | 20 | 21 | +1 |
| June | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| July | 22 | 21 | −1 |
| August | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| September | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| October | 22 | 21 | −1 |
| November | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| December | 21 | 20 | −1 |
| Q1 | 61 | 61 | 0 |
| Q2 | 64 | 64 | 0 |
| Q3 | 63 | 63 | 0 |
| Q4 | 64 | 63 | −1 |
| Year | 252 | 251 | −1 |
Weekdays by the local weekend (Sunday and Saturday), minus the public holidays most people have off.
The first day of the calendar year in the Gregorian calendar, 1 January. Cultures and religions that follow a lunisolar or lunar calendar celebrate their New Year at other points of the year. Japan celebrates New Year on 1 January, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, instead of with the Chinese calendar that was in use until 1873.
At work: Fine to mention, and a natural moment to wish colleagues well.
4 January is King Amador Day (Dia do Rei Amador) in São Tomé and Príncipe.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
3 February commemorates the Batepa Massacre of 1953.
At work: A solemn day; mention it only with respect. A day off.
International Workers' Day, on 1 May, honours workers and the labour movement. The date was chosen to commemorate the 1886 general strike in the United States that culminated in the Haymarket affair, and the day was adopted in support of a "great international demonstration" for the eight-hour day.
At work: Fine to mention the day off. In some countries it has a political side, so keep it about the break.
Marks 12 July 1975, when São Tomé and Príncipe became independent from Portugal.
At work: Very welcome to mention. A day off.
6 September is Armed Forces Day. The main activity that marks it is the swearing-in of new recruits to the army.
At work: Fine to mention. A day off.
30 September marks the nationalisation of the swiddens (slash-and-burn agricultural land) in 1975.
At work: Fine to mention. A day off.
21 December commemorates the arrival of the first Europeans on the island of São Tomé in 1471.
At work: Fine to mention. A day off.
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on 25 December. Eastern Christian Churches that follow the older Julian calendar celebrate it on 25 December of that calendar, which currently corresponds to 7 January. It is a public holiday in many countries, and many non-Christians celebrate it culturally too.
At work: Widely welcome to mention. Plan important meetings before the break. If you're unsure whether someone celebrates it, "Happy holidays" is a safe choice.
Open São Tomé & Príncipe in TimeBento, next to the other places you work with.