The 2026 Colombian work calendar is an essential tool for planning the year, both for workers and for businesses, educational institutions, and families looking to make the most of holidays, vacations, and long weekends. Knowing these dates in advance allows you to better organize rest periods, workdays, and personal or tourist activities throughout the country.
Importance of the work calendar in Colombia
In Colombia, the work calendar consists of the official working days and non-working days established by law. In addition to national holidays , each company may have additional non-working days depending on its sector or internal agreements. This calendar is also used to define employees' legal vacations, school breaks, and the scheduling of institutional activities.
Planning the work year based on this calendar promotes productivity, employee well-being, and work-life balance.
Official holidays in Colombia for 2026
The year 2026 will have a total of 20 official holidays , including religious, national, and traditional dates. Some are celebrated on fixed dates, while others are moved to the following Monday thanks to the Emiliani Law , which seeks to promote domestic tourism and long weekends.
Below is the complete list of holidays in Colombia in 2026 :
| Date | Day | Festivity | Guy |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1st | Thursday | New Year | Civil |
| January 6 | Tuesday | Three Kings' Day | Religious |
| February 9 | Monday | Saint Joseph's Day (moved) | Religious |
| April 3 | Friday | Good Friday | Religious |
| April 6 | Monday | Easter Monday | Religious |
| May 1st | Friday | Labor Day | Civil |
| May 25th | Monday | Ascension of the Lord (translated) | Religious |
| June 15 | Monday | Corpus Christi (transferred) | Religious |
| June 22 | Monday | Sacred Heart of Jesus (transferred) | Religious |
| June 29 | Monday | Saint Peter and Saint Paul (transferred) | Religious |
| July 20 | Monday | Independence of Colombia | Patriotic |
| August 7 | Friday | Battle of Boyacá | Patriotic |
| August 17 | Monday | The Assumption of the Virgin (transferred) | Religious |
| October 12 | Monday | Columbus Day | Patriotic |
| November 2 | Monday | All Saints' Day (moved) | Religious |
| November 16 | Monday | Independence of Cartagena (transferred) | Patriotic |
| December 8th | Tuesday | Immaculate Conception | Religious |
| December 25th | Friday | Christmas | Religious |
📌 You can check out a full breakdown of each in our Colombia Holiday Calendar 2026 article.
Long weekends and public holidays 2026
2026 will be an ideal year for those who enjoy traveling or relaxing, as several holidays will fall on Mondays or Fridays, generating more than 10 long weekends . Some of the most attractive for domestic tourism are:
June 13-16: Corpus Christi long weekend.
From June 20th to 23rd: Sacred Heart long weekend.
From June 26th to 29th: Peter and Paul long weekend.
From November 14th to 17th: Cartagena Independence Day Bridge.
You can see more getaway options in the article The Best Destinations for Traveling During Long Weekends in Colombia .
Working holidays in Colombia
According to the Substantive Labor Code , all employees who complete one continuous year of work are entitled to 15 working days of paid vacation .
Some important aspects to keep in mind for 2026:
The employer can determine the date of the vacation, but must agree on it with the employee.
Holidays do not include Sundays or public holidays.
They can be accumulated for up to two consecutive years, by prior agreement.
In the event of retirement from work, pending vacation time must be compensated in cash.
In the education sector, the 2026 school holidays will be distributed between the mid-year and end-of-year breaks, according to regional academic calendars. You can review the details in the 2026 School Calendar in Colombia .
Non-working days and special permits
In addition to national holidays, there are institutional non-working days and special permits established by some entities or sectors, including:
Public Servants' Day: June 27.
Women's Day: March 8 (internal activities are usually held in companies).
Family Day: awarded in some educational institutions or state entities.
Local civic days: decreed by governorships or mayoralties to celebrate regional events.
These days may vary depending on the company or region, so it is recommended to confirm each case directly with the corresponding entity.
Recommendations for taking advantage of the 2026 work calendar
Plan your vacation in advance , especially if it coincides with Easter or December.
Take advantage of long weekends to do domestic tourism or family activities.
Plan rest days or teleworking during weeks with holidays to balance your workload.
Check the official changes from the Ministry of Labor and movable holidays monthly.