Public Holidays in Panama in [2026]

Are you living in Panama or planning a trip there in 2026? It helps to check the holiday calendar early, especially because Panama’s November holiday season can affect business hours, travel, and school schedules. In 2026, Panama has 13 national public holidays on the general calendar shown by current holiday listings.

Of those, 9 holidays fall on weekdays and 4 fall on weekends in 2026. That still gives several useful breaks for travel and annual leave planning.

Whether you live in Panama or are just visiting, it is worth noting these dates in advance. On some public holidays, offices, banks, schools, and smaller businesses may be closed or operate on reduced hours.

Public holidays in Panama in 2026

The currently published 2026 Panama holiday calendar lists those dates as national holidays. It also shows Carnival Monday and Tuesday as the public holiday dates, rather than the full Carnival period.

How many public holidays are observed in Panama?

Panama has 13 national public holidays in the currently listed 2026 calendar. These include fixed civic dates such as 9 January, 1 May, the cluster of holidays in November, 8 December, and 25 December, plus movable dates such as Carnival Monday, Carnival Tuesday, and Good Friday.

One thing worth noting is that some Panama calendars also show other observances, local holidays, or bank holidays, but those are separate from the general national public holiday list used here.

The most popular holidays in Panama

A few holidays stand out more than others in everyday life. Martyrs’ Day on 9 January is one of the country’s best-known civic observances, while the run of holidays on 3, 4, 5, and 10 November makes November especially important in Panama’s calendar.

Carnival is also one of the biggest holiday periods of the year, with the official public holidays falling on Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday. Christmas Day and Mothers’ Day are also fixed annual holidays in the national list.

What the public holidays and days off are in Panama

New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day falls on 1 January and opens the holiday calendar in Panama. Its Spanish name is Año Nuevo.

Martyrs’ Day

Martyrs’ Day is observed on 9 January each year. It is one of Panama’s fixed national holidays.

Carnival Monday

Carnival Monday is one of Panama’s annual Carnival public holidays. In 2026, it falls on 16 February.

Carnival Tuesday

Carnival Tuesday follows on 17 February 2026 and is also a national holiday.

Good Friday

Good Friday is Panama’s main Easter public holiday. In 2026, it falls on 3 April.

Labour Day

Labour Day is celebrated on 1 May and is one of Panama’s fixed national holidays.

Separation Day

Separation Day on 3 November marks Panama’s separation from Colombia and begins the main November holiday sequence.

National Symbols Day

National Symbols Day is observed on 4 November and appears in current calendars as a national holiday.

Colón Day

Colón Day is celebrated on 5 November and is another of Panama’s November holidays.

Shout in Villa de los Santos

This holiday falls on 10 November and commemorates the Primer Grito de Independencia.

Independence Day

Independence Day is observed on 28 November and marks Panama’s independence from Spain.

Mothers’ Day

Mothers’ Day is a fixed public holiday in Panama, observed on 8 December every year.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day falls on 25 December and closes the public holiday year.

Public holidays in Panama in 2027

The 2027 dates below follow currently published holiday listings for Panama.

Public holidays in Panama in 2028

The 2028 dates below also follow currently published Panama holiday listings.

Conclusion

Panama’s 2026 public holiday calendar is especially useful because it combines Carnival, Easter, and a long run of important November civic holidays. With the 2027 and 2028 tables included as well, it is easier to plan work, travel, and annual leave ahead of time.

Last Updated on 04/05/2026