The year 2026 will bring Colombians 18 official holidays, placing the country among those with the most in Latin America. These include religious, civic, and patriotic celebrations, with 11 falling on Mondays due to the Emiliani Law. This will create 15 long weekends perfect for rest and travel.
Colombia's 2026 holiday calendar follows Law 51 of 1983, known as the Emiliani Law, which shifts several holidays to the following Monday to extend weekends. As a result, 11 of the 18 official holidays will fall on Mondays, creating 15 long weekends throughout the year.
The year starts on January 1, a Thursday, with New Year's Day. It continues with January 12, a Monday, for Epiphany. In March, March 23, a Monday, marks St. Joseph's Day. April features Holy Week with Maundy Thursday on the 2nd and Good Friday on the 3rd, both Thursday and Friday.
May 1, a Friday, is Labor Day. A series of Monday holidays follows in the second quarter: May 18 for the Ascension of Jesus, June 8 for Corpus Christi, June 15 for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and June 29 for Saints Peter and Paul.
July includes July 20, a Monday, for Independence Day. August has August 7, a Friday, for the Battle of Boyacá, and August 17, a Monday, for the Assumption of the Virgin. October's Monday, the 12th, is Columbus Day; November brings November 2, a Monday, for All Saints' Day, and November 16, a Monday, for Cartagena Independence.
The year ends with December 8, a Tuesday, Immaculate Conception, and December 25, a Friday, Christmas. Notable long weekends include those for Epiphany, St. Joseph, Holy Week, Labor Day, and Independence, plus extended weekends from May to June. This setup boosts tourism, commerce, and culture across regions.
