Holidays in Lesotho
Historical Glimpse of Lesotho
Lesotho, known as the Kingdom in the Sky due to its high altitude, encircles a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. Originally inhabited by the San people, as evidenced by ancient rock paintings, the region saw a transformation under King Moshoeshoe I in 1822. He founded the Basotho nation and skillfully united various clans to form a cohesive state. This strategic alliance helped protect his people from the Lifaqane wars and subsequent conflicts, establishing Lesotho as a distinct entity in southern Africa. Today, remnants of this storied past are visible across the country, blending seamlessly with modern advancements.
Lesotho's Love for Holidays
Citizens of Lesotho hold a deep reverence for their national holidays, seeing them as pivotal moments to honor their heritage and celebrate community ties. These occasions are marked by vibrant festivals, traditional music, and dance, reflecting the strong cultural identity of the Basotho people. Holidays such as Independence Day and King’s Birthday provide opportunities for locals to express national pride and unity, showcasing their rich customs and folklore to the younger generations and visitors alike.
Activities to Enjoy in Lesotho
Lesotho offers a plethora of activities that cater to adventure seekers and cultural enthusiasts alike. Here are some top recommendations:
- Explore the Maloti Mountains: Ideal for hiking, these mountains offer breathtaking views and challenging trails that lead to remote villages and ancient rock art sites.
- Visit the Maletsunyane Falls: Witness the stunning beauty of one of Africa’s tallest single-drop waterfalls, a perfect spot for picnics and photography.
- Experience Pony Trekking: Navigate the rugged terrain on a Basotho pony, a unique way to explore the mountainous landscape and connect with local guides.
- Discover Local Crafts: Lesotho is renowned for its wool and mohair products. Visiting local markets allows you to buy authentic crafts directly from the artisans.
- Attend a Cultural Festival: Participate in a traditional festival to immerse yourself in Basotho music, dance, and cuisine, gaining a deeper understanding of the local customs.
Date |
Holiday |
January 1, 2024
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2024
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
March 29, 2024
|
Good Friday
|
April 1, 2024
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2024
|
Workers' Day
|
May 9, 2024
|
Ascension Day
|
May 25, 2024
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
July 17, 2024
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2024
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2024
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2024
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2025
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2025
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
April 18, 2025
|
Good Friday
|
April 21, 2025
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2025
|
Workers' Day
|
May 25, 2025
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
May 29, 2025
|
Ascension Day
|
July 17, 2025
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2025
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2025
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2025
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2026
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2026
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
April 3, 2026
|
Good Friday
|
April 6, 2026
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2026
|
Workers' Day
|
May 14, 2026
|
Ascension Day
|
May 25, 2026
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
July 17, 2026
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2026
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2026
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2026
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2027
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2027
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
March 26, 2027
|
Good Friday
|
March 29, 2027
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2027
|
Workers' Day
|
May 6, 2027
|
Ascension Day
|
May 25, 2027
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
July 17, 2027
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2027
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2027
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2027
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2028
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2028
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
April 14, 2028
|
Good Friday
|
April 17, 2028
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2028
|
Workers' Day
|
May 25, 2028
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
May 25, 2028
|
Ascension Day
|
July 17, 2028
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2028
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2028
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2028
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2029
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2029
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
March 30, 2029
|
Good Friday
|
April 2, 2029
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2029
|
Workers' Day
|
May 10, 2029
|
Ascension Day
|
May 25, 2029
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
July 17, 2029
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2029
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2029
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2029
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2030
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2030
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
April 19, 2030
|
Good Friday
|
April 22, 2030
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2030
|
Workers' Day
|
May 25, 2030
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
May 30, 2030
|
Ascension Day
|
July 17, 2030
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2030
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2030
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2030
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2031
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2031
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
April 11, 2031
|
Good Friday
|
April 14, 2031
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2031
|
Workers' Day
|
May 22, 2031
|
Ascension Day
|
May 25, 2031
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
July 17, 2031
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2031
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2031
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2031
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2032
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2032
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
March 26, 2032
|
Good Friday
|
March 29, 2032
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2032
|
Workers' Day
|
May 6, 2032
|
Ascension Day
|
May 25, 2032
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
July 17, 2032
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2032
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2032
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2032
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2033
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2033
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
April 15, 2033
|
Good Friday
|
April 18, 2033
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2033
|
Workers' Day
|
May 25, 2033
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
May 26, 2033
|
Ascension Day
|
July 17, 2033
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2033
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2033
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2033
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2034
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2034
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
April 7, 2034
|
Good Friday
|
April 10, 2034
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2034
|
Workers' Day
|
May 18, 2034
|
Ascension Day
|
May 25, 2034
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
July 17, 2034
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2034
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2034
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2034
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2035
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2035
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
March 23, 2035
|
Good Friday
|
March 26, 2035
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2035
|
Workers' Day
|
May 3, 2035
|
Ascension Day
|
May 25, 2035
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
July 17, 2035
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2035
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2035
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2035
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2036
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2036
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
April 11, 2036
|
Good Friday
|
April 14, 2036
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2036
|
Workers' Day
|
May 22, 2036
|
Ascension Day
|
May 25, 2036
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
July 17, 2036
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2036
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2036
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2036
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2037
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2037
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
April 3, 2037
|
Good Friday
|
April 6, 2037
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2037
|
Workers' Day
|
May 14, 2037
|
Ascension Day
|
May 25, 2037
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
July 17, 2037
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2037
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2037
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2037
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2038
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2038
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
April 23, 2038
|
Good Friday
|
April 26, 2038
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2038
|
Workers' Day
|
May 25, 2038
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
June 3, 2038
|
Ascension Day
|
July 17, 2038
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2038
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2038
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2038
|
Boxing Day
|
January 1, 2039
|
New Year's Day
|
March 11, 2039
|
Moshoeshoe Day
|
April 8, 2039
|
Good Friday
|
April 11, 2039
|
Easter Monday
|
May 1, 2039
|
Workers' Day
|
May 19, 2039
|
Ascension Day
|
May 25, 2039
|
Africa Day/ Heroes' Day
|
July 17, 2039
|
King Letsie III's Birthday
|
October 4, 2039
|
Independence Day
|
December 25, 2039
|
Christmas Day
|
December 26, 2039
|
Boxing Day
|
Long weekends
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Future long weekends in Lesotho