Colombian Holiday Calendar 2026
The 2026 Colombian holiday calendar is one of the most frequently consulted topics by workers, students, and travelers who want to plan their activities in advance. Knowing which days are holidays allows you to plan vacations, weekend getaways, and also to attend civic and religious activities.
In Colombia, holidays are established by Law 51 of 1983, known as the Emiliani Law, which moves many holidays to Mondays to promote tourism and rest from work. The country also combines religious celebrations, patriotic dates, and international commemorations.
Below you'll find a complete list of holidays in Colombia for 2026, along with their meanings and recommendations for making the most of them.
List of holidays in Colombia 2026
These are the official holidays in Colombia for the year 2026:
| Date | Day | Celebration | Type of holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1st | Thursday | New Year | Civil |
| January 6 | Monday | Three Kings' Day (moved) | Religious |
| March 19 | Thursday | Saint Joseph's Day | Religious |
| April 5th | Sunday | Palm Sunday | Religious |
| April 10 | Friday | Good Friday | Religious |
| April 12 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Religious |
| May 1st | Friday | Labor Day | Civil |
| May 25th | Monday | Ascension Day (moved) | Religious |
| June 15 | Monday | Corpus Christi (transferred) | Religious |
| June 22 | Monday | Sacred Heart (transferred) | Religious |
| June 29 | Monday | Saint Peter and Saint Paul (transferred) | Religious |
| July 20 | Monday | Independence Day | Patriotic |
| August 7 | Friday | Battle of Boyacá | Patriotic |
| August 17 | Monday | Assumption of the Virgin (transferred) | Religious |
| October 12 | Monday | Columbus Day (moved) | Civil |
| November 2 | Monday | All Saints' Day (transferred) | Religious |
| November 16 | Monday | Independence of Cartagena (transferred) | Patriotic |
| December 8th | Tuesday | Immaculate Conception | Religious |
| December 25th | Friday | Christmas | Religious |
How to take advantage of holidays in Colombia 2026
Holidays are not only an opportunity to rest, they can also be used to:
Traveling within the country : Many Colombians take advantage of long weekends to visit tourist destinations such as Santa Marta, Cartagena, the Coffee Region, or Villa de Leyva.
Engage in family activities : Sharing time with loved ones on religious or patriotic holidays strengthens traditions.
Participate in cultural events : carnivals, processions and popular festivals often coincide with holidays.
Promote civic education : especially in schools, patriotic holidays allow for reflection on the country's history.
Most important holidays for Colombians
Although all holidays are important, some have deeper cultural and social roots:
Holy Week : is one of the most significant periods in religious and tourist terms.
July 20 : symbol of independence and national pride.
December 25 : Christmas, one of the most beloved celebrations in Colombian families.
Importance of the holiday calendar in the economy
The 2026 Colombian holiday calendar also impacts sectors such as:
Tourism : Hotels, airlines, and travel agencies benefit from long weekends.
Commerce : Dates such as Mother's Day or Valentine's Day, although not holidays, usually coincide with weekends and boost the economy.
Education : Colleges and universities adjust their programming based on non-working days.