Public Holidays in Panama
Statutory public holidays in Panama, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Panama at a glance
Panama’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 3 November and Separation Day on 28 November, alongside Catholic feast days.
Several dates move with Easter, and Carnival in February is the biggest celebration of the year.
Panama public holidays 2026
Panama has 13 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Martyrs' Day | Jan 9Fri | National |
| Carnival Tuesday | Feb 17Tue | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Separation Day | Nov 3Tue | National |
| Colon Day | Nov 5Thu | National |
| Los Santos Uprising Day | Nov 10Tue | National |
| Independence Day | Nov 28Sat | National |
| Mother's Day | Dec 8Tue | National |
| National Mourning Day | Dec 20Sun | National |
| National Mourning Day (observed) | Dec 21Mon | Substitute |
Showing 12 of 13 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Panama
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Panama.
Panama City
A capital of a UNESCO old town, a canal and a skyline of towers.
Colon
A city at the Atlantic entrance to the canal, with a free trade zone.
David
The main city of Chiriqui, a gateway to the highlands and Costa Rica.
Boquete
A cool mountain town of coffee, flowers and hiking trails.
Bocas del Toro
A Caribbean island town of water taxis, surfing and jungle.
Top attractions in Panama
The places that draw most visitors to Panama.
Panama Canal
A 50-mile waterway with the Miraflores and Agua Clara visitor centres.
Casco Viejo
The old town of colonial churches, plazas and restored balconies.
San Blas Islands
An autonomous archipelago of Guna communities and palm cays.
Boquete & Volcan Baru
A highland valley beneath the country's highest peak, a dormant volcano.
Bocas del Toro
Caribbean islands of coral reefs, jungle lodges and surf breaks.
Portobelo & San Lorenzo
Caribbean fortifications built to guard the Spanish treasure fleets.
Festivals, food and getting around Panama
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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🎉
Martyr's Day
Falls on Jan 9
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🎉
Carnival
Falls on Feb 14
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🎉
Carnival
Falls on Feb 15
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🎉
Carnival / Shrove Monday
Falls on Feb 16
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🎉
Carnival / Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day
Falls on Feb 17
Food & drink
Getting around
Buses and domestic flights link the provinces; the canal and the islands run on boats and water taxis.
Travelling around Panama’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Panama tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Panama's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Panama public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Panama have?
Panama has 13 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Panama is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Panama's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Panama typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Panama?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Panama?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Panama
School term dates in Panama
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.