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Long Weekends in GN 2026

10 long weekends · 35 total days off · 3 leave days needed

7
Free long weekends
3
With bridge days
35
Total days off
1 Jan – 4
4 days off
1 leave day needed
Public holidays
Thu 1 JanNew Year's Day
Take leave on:
Fri 2 Jan
14 Mar – 16
3 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Mon 16 MarLaylat al-Qadr
20 Mar – 22
3 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Fri 20 MarEnd of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr)
3 Apr – 6
4 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Fri 3 AprNational Holiday
Mon 6 AprEaster Monday
1 May – 3
3 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Fri 1 MayLabour Day
23 May – 25
3 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Mon 25 MayAfrica Day
23 May – 27
5 days off
1 leave day needed
Public holidays
Mon 25 MayAfrica Day
Wed 27 MayFeast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha)
Take leave on:
Tue 26 May
22 Aug – 25
4 days off
1 leave day needed
Public holidays
Tue 25 AugBirthday of Muhammad (Mawlid)
Take leave on:
Mon 24 Aug
2 Oct – 4
3 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Fri 2 OctIndependence Day
25 Dec – 27
3 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Fri 25 DecChristmas Day

Long Weekends & Bridge Days in GN 2026

GN 2026: 10 long weekend opportunities

In GN in 2026, there are 7 long weekends that occur naturally — no annual leave needed — plus 3 bridge day opportunities where a single day off creates an extended break. In total, across all 10 long weekends, you can gain 35 consecutive days off. The 3 bridge opportunities require just 3 days of annual leave.

What is a bridge day?

A bridge day is a single working day that sits between a public holiday and a weekend, turning a short break into a 4 or 5-day stretch. Known as Brückentag in German, ponte in Italian, pont in French, and puente in Spanish, the concept is the same worldwide: taking one strategic day of leave multiplies your time off far beyond what the same day used independently would give you.

How to plan your leave around GN holidays

The most effective leave strategy is to target the bridge day opportunities listed above rather than booking leave during peak periods. With just 3 days of annual leave spread across the right dates in 2026, you can extend GN's public holidays into 3 additional long breaks. Check the full GN holiday calendar for all public holiday dates.

← Public Holidays GN 2026