Holiday Details
- Holiday Name
- New Year
- Country
- Gambia
- Date
- January 1, 2026
- Day of Week
- Thursday
- Status
- Today!
- About this Holiday
- New Year’s Day is the first day of the year, or January 1, in the Gregorian calendar.
Happy New Year!
Today is New Year in Gambia!
TODAY!
Enjoy New Year!
About New Year
Also known as: New Year's Day
Neer Year (Baneexu At bu Bees) ci Gambia: Njëlbeenu At ak Ngàntu Mbégte
Baneexu at bu bees, walla New Year’s Day, ay bés la bu am solo lool ci réewu Gambia. Ci réew mi, bés bi du rekk ab bésu kofal walla bésu noppalu, waaye bés la boo xamne day màndargaal njëlbeenu yoonu dundu bu bees, ak yaakaar yu bees, ak mbooloo mu am solo. Gambia, réew mu nekk ci wetu géeju Atalaantik bi, day màggal bés bi ak ràññee gu mag. Li ko firi mooy ne, doonte Gambia réew la boo xamne diine Lislaam ak diine Kariteen ñoofa ëpp, New Year’s Day mooy bés bi nga xamne ñépp a koy bokk, lu mu man di doon sa diine walla sa cosaan.
Ci Gambia, màggal New Year’s Day day fésal jikko yu rafet yu bokk ak cofeel. Nit ñi dañuy dajalo ngir tàggu at mu mag mu jàll ak nuyyu at mu bees mu ñëw. Ci dëkk yu mag yi mel ni Banjul, Serekunda, walla Bakau, New Year’s Day bésu sargal la. Mbooloo yi dañuy génn, sol seeni mbubb yu rafet, tey bég. Lii du rekk ab bésu fete, waaye bés la boo xamne nit ñi dañuy sogaat seeni digante ak yalla, seeni fami, ak seeni xarit. Ci mbedd yi, danga fiy dégg yu mel ni "Happy New Year" walla ci Wolof "At mu bèkk mbege", loolu yépp di fésal ne réew mi yépp a ngi ci mbégte.
Li tax New Year’s Day nekk bés bu ràññee ci Gambia mooy ne, bés la boo xamne amul wenn jëmm walla xew-xewu taariix bu ko lënkaale ak réew mi ci anam bu réer. Mooy bés bi ñépp ci àdduna bi bokk, te Gambia, nekk réew mu nekk ci àdduna bu bees bi, du des gannaaw. Bés la boo xamne day dindi barill yi nekk ci digante xeet yi ak diine yi, te boole ñépp ci wàllu mbooloo. Ci mbeddi Gambia, danga fiy gis ay nit yu juge ci fànn yépp—tubaab yi fi ñëw ngir wisit, mbooloo mi dëkk ci réew mi, ak ñi fi nekk ngir liggéey—ñépp di bégandoo ci njëlbeenu at mi.
Ñam ak Jant bi: Kane la New Year’s Day ci 2026?
Ci atum 2026, màggalu New Year’s Day ci Gambia dina nekk bés bu am solo lool. Ni mu koy defe saa su ne, bés bi mu ngi tegu ci bés bu jëkk ci weeru Sanwiye.
Béss bi: January 1, 2026 Bésu ayu-bés bi: Thursday Des na: 0 fan ngir ñu àgg ci bés bi.
Date bi, bés bu sax la (fixed date). At mu nekk, ci 1er Janvier lañuy màggal New Year, loolu du soppeeku. Waaye, ci Gambia, am na lu bees lu fiy xew ci atum 2026. Njit yi dëkk bi jël nañu dogal ne bésu 2 Janvier dina nekk tamit bésu noppalu (additional day off). Loolu day tax mbooloo mi am ñaari fan yu ràññee ngir noppalu, fete, ak dundal seeni fami. Lii day firi ne atum 2026 dina am ab wikend bu gudd walla ab tàkkalo bu am solo ci njëlbeenu at mi, loolu di nekk xéwal bu mag ci liggéeykat yi ak jàngat yi.
Taariix ak Li tax ñuy màggal New Year ci Gambia
New Year’s Day ci Gambia li ko tax di am mooy kalandariyu "Grégorien" bi àdduna bi yépp di jëfandikoo. Doonte Gambia am na ay yéeneen bés yu am solo ci wàllu taariix, mel ni bésu "Independence Day" (18 Févrerye), New Year’s Day mooy bés bi nga xamne day màndargaal ne réew mi mu ngi ci biir mbooloom àdduna bi.
Taariixu màggal New Year ci Gambia dëkk na ak jamono ji réew mi nekk ci loxoy Angalteer (British colonial era). Angalteer ño fi indiwon kalandariyu Grégorien bi, te foofu la màggal bésu 1er Janvier jëkké. Bi Gambia jëlee boppam ci atum 1965, dañu wéy di màggal bés bi ndax solo si mu am ci wàllu njiit, liggéey, ak jokko ak yéeneen réew yi. Tay ji, New Year’s Day nekk na bés bu amul wenn lënkaale ak njiit walla politig, waaye bésu mbooloo la rekk.
Li am solo mooy ne, ci Gambia, am na yéeneen "New Year" yu am solo, mel ni "Tamkharit" (Islamic New Year). Waaye, bésu 1er Janvier mooy bés bi nga xamne mbooloo mi yépp, lu mu man di doon sa diine, dañuy taxaw ngir màggal ko. Loolu day fésal jikkoy Gambia: réew mu am jàmm, mu am mbooloo, te mu nekk ci jamono.
Naka lañuy màggal New Year ci Gambia?
Màggalu New Year ci Gambia am na ràññee gu mag. Doonte bés bi ci àdduna bi yépp la am, Gambian yi dañu koy def ci seen anam bu bees.
1. Fete ci Géej bi (Beach Parties)
Gambia réew la boo xamne am na ay tefess (beaches) yu rafet lool, mel ni tefessu Bakau, Fajara, Kotu, ak Kololi. Ci guddiyu 31 Décembre ba ci bésu 1er Janvier, tefess yi dañuy fees ak nit. Ay orkestra, ay DJ, ak ay kureelu bërè (drumming circles) dañuy nekk ci tefess yi di fete. Nit ñi dañuy génn ngir déggal seen bopp musique, fecc, ak lekk ñam yu neex. Lii mooy bés bi nga xamne "Senegambia Strip" (barab bi ëpp ay restoraan ak hôtel) day fees dell ak nit yu juge ci àdduna bi yépp.2. Ngénté ak Dajalo ci biir Fami
Fami mooy dëgg-dëgg boppou Gambia. New Year’s Day bés la boo xamne fami yi dañuy dajalo ci seeni kër. Dañuy togg ay ñam yu ràññee mel ni "Benachin" (ceebu jën/yàpp), "Domoda" (mafé), walla "Yassa". Ci bés bi, mbooloo mi dañuy bokk lekk bi, di naan "Wonjo" (bisap) walla "Baobab juice" (buy). Loolu day dëgëral digante yi te di indil mbooloo mi jàmm.3. Ñaan ci Jumaa ak jàngu (Religious Services)
Gambia réewu diine la. Ci guddiyu 31 Décembre, jàngu yi (churches) dañuy am luy ñu naan "Watch Night Service". Kariteen yi dañuy dajalo ngir ñaan Yalla mu barkeel at mu bees mi. Ci biir jumaa yi tamit (mosques), doonte du xew-xewu diine, as-gor yi dañuy sogaat seeni ñaan ngir jàmm ak tawfeex ci réew mi. Nit ñi dañuy ñaan Yalla mu dindi musiba yi ci at mu jàll mi te indil leen xéwal ci at mu bees mi.4. "Hunting" ak "Masquerades"
Lii mooy anam bu bees bi Gambia di màggale xew-xew yi. Ci mbeddi Banjul ak Serekunda, danga fiy gis ay "Masquerades" walla "Hunting" (ay nit yu sol mbubb yu ràññee, mel ni ay kànguraan walla yéeneen jikko). Dañuy fecc ci mbedd yi, nit ñi di leen jox xaalis, te mbooloo mi di leen topp. Lii day indil mbedd yi ab naxar ak mbégte bu ràññee.Aada ak Cosaan ci New Year
Ci Gambia, am na ay aada yu nit ñi di def saa su New Year jotee:
Sol yu bees: Nit ñi dañuy bëgg a sol seeni mbubb yu bees (new clothes) ngir màndargaal ne dëkk nañu ci at mu bees. Loolu day firi ne danga bëgg a dindi lu yàgg li te sogaat dundu bu set. Joxe kado: Doonte du lu sax, waaye nit ñi dañuy bëgg a joxe ay "Salibo" (xaalis walla kado) ci xale yi. Xale yi dañuy génn ci mbedd yi di nuyu mag yi, mag yi di leen ñaanal te di leen jox lu ndaw. Resolution (Dig): Ni mu amé ci yéeneen réew, Gambian yi dañuy def seeni "New Year Resolutions". Dañuy wax ne: "At mii, bëgg naa liggéey bu baax", "Bëgg naa am jàmm ci sama kër", walla "Bëgg naa sogaat leneen".
Ngàntu Mbégte ngir Wisitkat (Visitors)
Su fekké ne ya ngi bëgg a ñëw Gambia ci atum 2026, am na lu am solo loo xamne war nga ko xam. Jamono jooju mooy "High Season" ci wàllu tourism. Taw bi dina amul, jant bi dina neex (warm and sunny), te réew mi dina am mbégte lool.
Waaye, ndaxte 1er Janvier ak 2 Janvier ay bésu noppalu lañu, war nga xam ne:
- Bureau yi dañuy tëj: Government offices, bank yi, ak dëkk-dëkk yi (embassies) dañuy tëj ci ñaari fan yoo-yee. Su fekké am nga liggéey bu am solo, def ko laata 31 Décembre walla mu nekk 3 walla 4 Janvier.
- Transpor bi: Taksi yi ak car-rapide yi (Gelly-Gelly) dinañu man a am, waaye mbedd yi dinañu fees. Barab yu mel ni Senegambia dinañu am mbooloo mu bari lool, kon war nga jël sa jamono.
- Hôtel yi: War nga réserver sa kër walla sa hôtel bu yàgg, ndaxte nit yu bari dañuy ñëw Gambia ngir bés yii.
Ndax New Year’s Day bésu noppalu la ci Gambia?
Waaw, New Year’s Day bésu noppalu (Public Holiday) la ci Gambia.
Ci atum 2026, bésu Thursday, January 1, 2026, réew mi yépp dinañu noppalu. Liggéeykat yi ci wàllu njiit (government sector) ak ci wàllu mbooloo (private sector) duñu liggéey, lu may ñi yore wàllu wér-gi-yaram (hospitals), poliis, ak yéeneen liggéey yu dëgg-dëgg (essential services).
Am na lu am solo lool: Ci Gambia, njiit yi dañuy joxe bésu 2 Janvier tamit mu nekk bésu noppalu ("Day off for New Year"). Loolu day tax mbooloo mi am jamono bu bari ngir dundal seeni fami, rawatina ndaxte atum 2026 bésu 1er Janvier bi ci Alxamis la jote. Lii day firi ne mbooloo mi dinañu am Alxamis, Àjjuma, ba ci wikend bi ngir fete.
Lan mooy tëj te lan mooy ubi?
Bank yi: Tëj. Lekool yi: Tëj. Marché yi: Ubi (waaye mbooloo mi dina bari lool). Restoraan ak Hôtel: Ubi (loolu mooy seen jamono bu gëna am solo).- Boutique yi: Ubi (waaye mbooloo mi dina bari lool).
Tënk (Conclusion)
New Year’s Day ci Gambia du rekk ab bés ci kalandari bi. Bés la boo xamne day fésal jàmm, mbooloo, ak yaakaar bu bees ci réewu Gambia. Ci atum 2026, ak 0 fan yu des, mbooloo mi yépp a ngi waaja ngir nuyu at mu bees mi ak xol bu set. Lu mu man di doon, ndax ya ngi ci mbeddi Serekunda di dégg drum yi, walla ya ngi ci tefessu Kololi di gis jant bi, walla ya ngi ci sa kër di bokk ñam ak sa fami, New Year ci Gambia bés la boo xamne danga koy fàttaliku saa su ne.
Gambia, "The Smiling Coast of Africa", day fésal sa kanamu mbégte ci bés bi. At mu bees mi, dina nekk at mu am barke, jàmm, ak tawfeex ci ñépp. Happy New Year ci Gambia
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about New Year in Gambia
In 2026, New Year's Day will be observed on Thursday, January 1, 2026. There are currently 0 days remaining until this global celebration begins. It marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year and is celebrated across the entire country of The Gambia as a moment of renewal and looking forward to the future.
Yes, New Year's Day is an official public holiday in The Gambia. As it is a secular and internationally recognized holiday, government offices, schools, and most private businesses remain closed. Furthermore, in 2026, the government has also designated January 2 as an additional day off, providing a two-day break for the public to enjoy the festivities and spend time with their families.
New Year's Day in The Gambia is a secular holiday that signifies the start of the new Gregorian calendar. Unlike other Gambian holidays that focus on national independence or religious Islamic events, New Year is a global observance. It serves as a time for Gambians to join the rest of the world in celebrating new beginnings, reflecting on the past year, and making resolutions for the year ahead.
People in The Gambia celebrate the New Year with traditional festivities including parties, music, and social gatherings. Many people attend church services or community events on New Year's Eve to count down to midnight. Because it is a public holiday, it is common for families to gather for large meals and for youth to participate in street celebrations and beach outings, taking advantage of the warm January weather.
While New Year's Day is a global secular holiday without a specific Gambian historical origin, it is embraced with local hospitality. Many Gambians combine international traditions like fireworks and countdowns with local flavors, such as preparing traditional dishes like Benachin or Domoda for family feasts. The atmosphere is generally festive and inclusive, reflecting the peaceful and social nature of Gambian culture.
During the New Year holiday on January 1, 2026 and the following day off on January 2, you should expect most formal institutions to be closed. This includes banks, post offices, and government ministries. If you have administrative tasks or need official services, it is essential to complete them before the holiday begins, as the two-day closure can affect processing times for various documents and services.
Visitors should be aware that New Year is a very busy time for tourism in The Gambia. Since January 1 and January 2 are both public holidays in 2026, public transport may be less frequent, and popular spots like the beaches in Senegambia or Bakau may be more crowded than usual. It is a great time to experience the local nightlife and festive spirit, but booking accommodation and restaurant tables in advance is highly recommended.
No, New Year's Day is not a religious holiday in The Gambia. While many Gambians are religious and may attend services to pray for a prosperous year, the holiday itself is secular and based on the Gregorian calendar. This distinguishes it from other major public holidays in the country, such as Koriteh or Tobaski, which are based on the Islamic lunar calendar and have specific religious requirements.
Historical Dates
New Year dates in Gambia from 2015 to 2025
| Year | Day of Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday | January 1, 2025 |
| 2024 | Monday | January 1, 2024 |
| 2023 | Sunday | January 1, 2023 |
| 2022 | Saturday | January 1, 2022 |
| 2021 | Friday | January 1, 2021 |
| 2020 | Wednesday | January 1, 2020 |
| 2019 | Tuesday | January 1, 2019 |
| 2018 | Monday | January 1, 2018 |
| 2017 | Sunday | January 1, 2017 |
| 2016 | Friday | January 1, 2016 |
| 2015 | Thursday | January 1, 2015 |
Note: Holiday dates may vary. Some holidays follow lunar calendars or have different observance dates. Purple indicates weekends.
Quick Actions
About Gambia
- Country Code
- GM
- Continent
- Africa
- Total Holidays
- 8