Public Holidays in Paraguay
Statutory public holidays in Paraguay, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Paraguay at a glance
Paraguay’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 14 and 15 May alongside Catholic feast days and the Chaco Armistice in June.
Several dates move with Easter, and the government sometimes shifts holidays to Mondays for long weekends.
Paraguay public holidays 2026
The dates below come from Paraguay’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | 2026 |
| Heroes' Day | Mar 1Sun | 2026 |
| March Equinox | Mar 20Fri | 2026 |
| Daylight Saving Time ends | Mar 22Sun | 2026 |
| Maundy Thursday | Apr 2Thu | 2026 |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | 2026 |
| Labor Day / May Day | May 1Fri | 2026 |
| National Holiday | May 14Thu | 2026 |
| Independence Day | May 15Fri | 2026 |
| Chaco Armistice | Jun 12Fri | 2026 |
| June Solstice | Jun 21Sun | 2026 |
| Founding of Asuncion | Aug 15Sat | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 20 dates recorded for 2026.
Major cities in Paraguay
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Paraguay.
Asuncion
A river capital of colonial buildings, a government palace and a busy waterfront.
Ciudad del Este
A trading city on the Parana at the triple frontier with Brazil and Argentina.
Encarnacion
A city on the Parana with a riverfront beach and Jesuit ruins nearby.
Luque
A city beside the capital with the international airport and craft traditions.
Pedro Juan Caballero
A city on the Brazilian border, a centre of trade and coffee growing.
Top attractions in Paraguay
The places that draw most visitors to Paraguay.
Jesuit Missions of Trinidad and Jesus
Red sandstone Jesuit reductions of carved facades and plazas.
Itaipu Dam
One of the largest hydroelectric plants on earth, on the Parana river.
Gran Chaco
A vast dry forest and thorn scrub covering the western half of the country.
Ybycui National Park
A forested park of waterfalls, an old iron foundry and swimming pools.
Lago Ypacarai
A lake near the capital ringed by towns and a folk-song heritage.
Saltos del Monday
A wide horseshoe waterfall on the Monday river near Ciudad del Este.
Festivals, food and getting around Paraguay
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
-
🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
-
🎉
Heroes' Day
Falls on Mar 1
-
🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
-
🎉
Daylight Saving Time ends
Falls on Mar 22
-
🎉
Maundy Thursday
Falls on Apr 2
-
🎉
Good Friday
Falls on Apr 3
Food & drink
Getting around
Long-distance buses link the cities; the Chaco is sparse and needs planning and a sturdy vehicle.
Travelling around Paraguay’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Paraguay 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
Paraguay'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.
Paraguay public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Paraguay have?
Paraguay has 20 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 Paraguay is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Paraguay'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, Paraguay typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Paraguay?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Paraguay?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.