Cameroon National Day 2027
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About the event
Why Cameroon celebrates 20 May Cameroon celebrates National Day on 20 May, the anniversary of the 1972 referendum that replaced the federal system with a unitary republic. The date is different from the 1960 independence day of French Cameroon and reflects the country's bilingual and post-colonial complexity.
The capital hosts the main National Day parade with schools, troops and officials.
Why this day
Cameroon celebrates National Day on 20 May, the anniversary of the 1972 referendum that replaced the federal system with a unitary republic. The date is different from the 1960 independence day of French Cameroon and reflects the country's bilingual and post-colonial complexity.
Cameroon had been divided between French and British administration after World War I. Independence, reunification and the later move to a unitary state all shaped the national story. That makes 20 May a state-unity holiday rather than a simple independence anniversary.
Celebrations include parades, school marches, military displays, speeches and cultural performances, especially in Yaounde. The day presents Cameroon as Africa in miniature, highlighting its regions, languages, football pride, music and food traditions.
Timeline
- 1960French Cameroon becomes independent as a republic
- 1961Southern Cameroons joins after UN plebiscite
- 1972Referendum creates a unitary republic on 20 May
Key figures
Stay for the event
Check-in 19 May, check-out 21 May 2027 — 2 nights around 20 May 2027. Change the dates to stay longer.
AREA
Find stays in YaoundeGetting there
- Celebratednationwide
- CapitalYaounde
- Time zoneWAT (UTC+1)
Host country
- Currency: Central African CFA franc
- Language: English, French
- Driving: on the right
- Capital: Yaounde
- Phone: +237
- Emergency: 112
- Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz, plugs C/E
What to eat
Bitterleaf stew with peanuts, shrimp or meat, often described as a national dish.
Chicken cooked with plantains and vegetables, a festive urban restaurant favourite.
Yellow palm-oil soup served with pounded cocoyam, associated with the Grassfields.
Leafy stew with waterleaf, palm oil and meat or fish from the southwest.
Steamed black-eyed pea pudding wrapped in leaves and coloured with palm oil.
Whole fish with pepper sauce and plantains, especially popular in Douala.
What to drink
Popular Cameroonian lager commonly served at bars and public celebrations.
Fresh palm sap drink with social and ceremonial roles in many regions.
Hibiscus drink served cold and sweet, especially in northern Cameroon.
Culture & traditions
The capital hosts the main National Day parade with schools, troops and officials.
Urban dance music from Douala that became one of Cameroon's signature sounds.
Grassfields royal arts and masquerades are among Cameroon's strongest visual traditions.
The Indomitable Lions give national celebrations a shared sporting language.
Coming years
Cameroon National Day 2028
- Saturday 20 May 2028Next event date
Cameroon National Day 2029
- Sunday 20 May 2029Event date
Cameroon National Day 2030
- Monday 20 May 2030Event date