25 November
Srefidensi: 25 November, Independence Day
Suriname became independent from the Netherlands on 25 November 1975. The day is called Srefidensi in Sranan Tongo and is a national holiday with a military parade, processions and fireworks.
Independence on 25 November 1975 came with a mass emigration: in the years either side of it, hundreds of thousands of Surinamese people left for the Netherlands. That is why roughly as many people of Surinamese descent live in the Netherlands today as there are inhabitants of Suriname.
The centre of the day is Independence Square in Paramaribo, with a parade and fireworks in the evening. In the run-up the whole city turns red, green and white.
The week around 25 November is busy in Paramaribo, with a lot of diaspora visiting. Flights and hotels are noticeably more expensive and fill earlier.
Frequently asked questions
When did Suriname become independent?
Suriname became independent from the Netherlands on 25 November 1975. The day is celebrated annually as Independence Day, Srefidensi in Sranan Tongo.
Is 25 November a good time to visit Suriname?
Yes, provided you book early: 25 November is the liveliest week of the year in Paramaribo and falls in the long dry season, so the weather works in your favour. It is also the most expensive and busiest period, because so much of the diaspora travels then. Allow at least three months.