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
The dates below come from Panama’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | 2026 |
| Martyr's Day | Jan 9Fri | 2026 |
| Carnival | Feb 14Sat | 2026 |
| Carnival | Feb 15Sun | 2026 |
| Carnival / Shrove Monday | Feb 16Mon | 2026 |
| Carnival / Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day | Feb 17Tue | 2026 |
| Carnival / Ash Wednesday | Feb 18Wed | 2026 |
| March Equinox | Mar 20Fri | 2026 |
| Maundy Thursday | Apr 2Thu | 2026 |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | 2026 |
| Holy Saturday | Apr 4Sat | 2026 |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5Sun | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 27 dates recorded 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 27 dates recorded on its 2026 calendar, ranging from national statutory holidays to widely marked observances that are not days off work.
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.