Public Holidays in Uruguay
Statutory public holidays in Uruguay, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Uruguay at a glance
Uruguay’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 25 August and Constitution Day on 18 July, alongside secular commemorations.
The country is notable for using secular names for religious holidays, so Easter week is Tourism Week and Christmas is Family Day.
Uruguay public holidays 2026
Uruguay has 15 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 |
| Children's Day | Jan 6Tue | National |
| Carnival | Feb 16Mon | National |
| Carnival | Feb 17Tue | National |
| Maundy Thursday | Apr 2Thu | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Landing of the 33 Patriots Day | Apr 19Sun | National |
| International Workers' Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Battle of Las Piedras | May 18Mon | National |
| Birthday of José Gervasio Artigas and Never Again Day | Jun 19Fri | National |
| Constitution Day | Jul 18Sat | National |
| Independence Day | Aug 25Tue | National |
Showing 12 of 15 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Uruguay
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Uruguay.
Montevideo
A capital of a long rambla, an old town and a strong cafe culture.
Salto
A city on the Uruguay river with thermal springs and a riverside.
Paysandu
A city on the Uruguay river with a cathedral and a thermal complex.
Maldonado
A city in the southeast near the coastal resorts of Punta del Este.
Colonia del Sacramento
A Portuguese colonial town of cobbled lanes and a lighthouse.
Top attractions in Uruguay
The places that draw most visitors to Uruguay.
Colonia del Sacramento
A Portuguese stone town of cobbles, a basilica and a riverfront wall.
Punta del Este
A peninsula resort of beaches, a lighthouse and a sea lion colony.
Cabo Polonio
A car-free village of dunes, a lighthouse and sea lion colonies.
Termas del Dayman
A thermal spa complex in the northwest, warm year-round.
Parque Nacional Santa Teresa
A coastal park of a fortress, forest and long beaches.
Mercado del Puerto
A restored iron market hall of parrillas and mate sellers.
Festivals, food and getting around Uruguay
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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The Three Wise Men Day
Falls on Jan 6
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Carnival / Shrove Monday
Falls on Feb 16
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Carnival / Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day
Falls on Feb 17
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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Maundy Thursday
Falls on Apr 2
Food & drink
Getting around
Buses are reliable and cover the country; the coast and thermal north are easy drives from the capital.
Travelling around Uruguay’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Uruguay 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
Uruguay'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.
Uruguay public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Uruguay have?
Uruguay has 15 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 Uruguay is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Uruguay'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, Uruguay typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Uruguay?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Uruguay?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Uruguay
School term dates in Uruguay
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.