Important Holidays in Colombia

If you’re an American employer working with remote talent from Colombia, understanding the country’s holiday calendar isn’t optional. It’s part of running a professional, respectful working relationship. Colombia observes 18 official public holidays per year, more than most of its Latin American neighbors, and the way those holidays are structured directly affects your team’s availability and your project timelines.

This guide covers every official holiday and major cultural observance your remote Colombian team members will experience throughout the year. Whether you work with a virtual assistant or a senior developer through Latin American remote talent sourcing, knowing these dates in advance lets you plan sprints, set deadlines, and communicate expectations without friction. Colombia is a strong talent market, and being a well-prepared employer goes a long way.

Colombia’s Public Holiday Calendar: An Overview

Colombia’s holiday schedule is governed by Law 51 of 1983, commonly known as the Emiliani Law, named after Senator Rodrigo Lara Bonilla and promoted by Congressman Emiliani Romani. The law moved most religious and civic holidays that fell mid-week to the following Monday, creating three-day weekends across the year. This results in 18 official public holidays annually, one of the highest counts in Latin America. The intent was to boost domestic tourism and improve worker rest without spreading disruptions across the workweek. For American employers, the practical effect is that you’ll see clusters of long weekends throughout the year, particularly in the second and third quarters, and June stands out as the single month with three public holidays.

A handful of holidays are fixed and never move: New Year’s Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, Battle of Boyaca, Immaculate Conception, and Christmas always fall on their calendar date regardless of the day of the week. All other holidays follow the Emiliani system and shift to Monday when they don’t already land on one. The result is a year structured around predictable long weekends that Colombian workers, and their families, plan around well in advance.

New Year’s Day (Ano Nuevo) — January 1

January 1 is a fixed national holiday that never moves. Colombians celebrate the new year with family gatherings, fireworks, and traditions like burning paper effigies of the old year (called “anos viejos”) at midnight on December 31. Many Colombians extend the holiday into a full week off, taking December 31 and the first few days of January as informal personal leave. Plan for low availability from your Colombian team the final week of December through January 2.

Epiphany (Dia de Reyes) — January 12, 2026

The Feast of the Epiphany, or Dia de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day), commemorates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. Fixed on January 6, the Emiliani Law moves it to the nearest Monday, which in 2026 falls on January 12. In Colombia, this day carries particular significance for children, as it is traditionally when gifts are exchanged rather than Christmas Day in some households. Celebrations include processions and community events in many towns.

Saint Joseph’s Day (Dia de San Jose) — March 23, 2026

Saint Joseph’s Day falls on March 19 but moves to Monday, March 23 in 2026 under the Emiliani Law. It is a Catholic feast day honoring Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, and patron saint of workers and families. The holiday is observed with church services and family gatherings. In 2026, it falls just two weeks before Holy Week, giving many Colombian workers an extended period of religious observance in late March and early April.

Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo) — April 2, 2026

Holy Thursday is a fixed holiday that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. It marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum. In Colombia, Holy Thursday is a deeply observed religious day with church services, foot-washing ceremonies, and family gatherings. Many businesses close early or entirely, and the combination of Holy Thursday and Good Friday creates a four-day weekend that most Colombian workers use for travel or time with extended family.

Good Friday (Viernes Santo) — April 3, 2026

Good Friday is one of the most solemnly observed days in Colombia. It is a fixed holiday. Processions take place across the country, most notably in Popayan (see cultural observances below), where nighttime processions have been held continuously since the 16th century. Radio stations often play only classical or religious music. Many families observe strict fasting or abstain from meat. The week surrounding Good Friday, known as Semana Santa (Holy Week), is effectively a national pause, with schools closed and many businesses operating on skeleton crews from Monday through Friday.

Labor Day (Dia del Trabajo) — May 1, 2026

May 1 is a fixed public holiday and Colombia’s equivalent of International Workers’ Day. It falls on a Friday in 2026, creating a natural three-day weekend. Labor unions and workers’ organizations hold marches and rallies in major cities, particularly Bogota and Medellin. The day carries significant civic meaning, and most businesses, including banks and government offices, are fully closed.

Ascension Day (Ascension del Senor) — May 18, 2026

The Feast of the Ascension commemorates Jesus ascending into heaven 40 days after Easter. The canonical date is the Thursday after the sixth Sunday of Easter, but under the Emiliani Law it moves to Monday, May 18 in 2026. It is a Catholic holy day observed with Mass and family gatherings. For remote work purposes, treat this as a full day off for Colombian team members.

Feast of Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi) — June 8, 2026

Corpus Christi celebrates the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. It falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday but moves to Monday under the Emiliani Law, landing on June 8, 2026. Religious processions wind through the streets of many Colombian cities, with flower petals and altars decorating the route. June is the busiest holiday month in Colombia, with three public holidays falling within a span of about three weeks.

Feast of the Sacred Heart (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) — June 15, 2026

The Feast of the Sacred Heart honors the physical heart of Jesus as a symbol of divine love and mercy. It moves to Monday, June 15 in 2026. Religious devotion to the Sacred Heart runs deep in Colombian Catholicism, with many families displaying images of the Sacred Heart in their homes. Like the other June moveable feasts, this holiday is part of the dense cluster of three Monday holidays in June that creates multiple extended weekends within a short window.

Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (San Pedro y San Pablo) — June 29, 2026

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29 is a fixed Catholic feast day that happens to fall on a Monday in 2026, so no movement is needed. It honors the apostles Peter and Paul, both considered founders of the Christian church. In the Llanos Orientales region and in cities like Neiva, this feast day aligns with or overlaps with traditional folk festivals featuring vallenato, cumbia, and joropo music. June closes with this holiday, meaning the entire last week of June often sees reduced activity.

Independence Day (Dia de la Independencia) — July 20, 2026

July 20 is one of Colombia’s most important civic holidays, commemorating the 1810 Cry of Independence from Spanish rule. It is a fixed holiday and never moves. Military parades take place in Bogota and other major cities, broadcast nationally on television. Colombian flags fly from homes and businesses throughout the country. This is a high-pride holiday with strong national sentiment, and full office closures are universal. July 20 falls on a Monday in 2026, naturally creating a long weekend.

Battle of Boyaca (Batalla de Boyaca) — August 7, 2026

August 7 commemorates the 1819 Battle of Boyaca, the decisive military engagement that secured Colombia’s independence from Spain under Simon Bolivar. It is a fixed holiday. The day is marked by military ceremonies, presidential addresses, and national pride. August 7 falls on a Friday in 2026, creating another three-day weekend. Following just 18 days after Independence Day, early August can feel like an extended patriotic season for Colombians.

Assumption of Mary (Asuncion de la Virgen) — August 17, 2026

The Assumption of Mary, celebrating the belief that the Virgin Mary was taken body and soul into heaven, falls on August 15 and moves to Monday, August 17 under the Emiliani Law. Religious Masses and processions are common, particularly in smaller towns and cities with strong Marian devotion. The third Monday in August gives workers another long weekend, and for those based in Medellin, this can overlap with or immediately follow the Feria de las Flores (see cultural observances below).

Day of the Race (Dia de la Raza) — October 12, 2026

October 12 commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas and is celebrated across Latin America. In Colombia, Dia de la Raza has evolved to acknowledge both the encounter of European and indigenous peoples and the complex legacy of colonization. It is a fixed holiday and falls on a Monday in 2026. Schools and government offices are closed, and various cultural events take place that blend indigenous heritage recognition with civic observance.

All Saints’ Day (Dia de Todos los Santos) — November 2, 2026

All Saints’ Day falls on November 1 and moves to Monday, November 2 in 2026. It is a Catholic observance honoring all saints, both known and unknown, and is closely linked in Colombian culture to remembrance of the dead. Families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, light candles, and leave flowers. In some regions, particularly the Coffee Region and Antioquia, this day has a festive character alongside its solemnity.

Independence of Cartagena (Independencia de Cartagena) — November 16, 2026

This holiday commemorates the declaration of independence by Cartagena on November 11, 1811, making it the first Colombian city to formally declare independence from Spain. Under the Emiliani Law it moves to Monday, November 16 in 2026. Cartagena and its surrounding Caribbean region celebrate with particular energy, including music, parades, and cultural events. Nationally it is treated as a standard public holiday with business closures.

Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepcion) — December 8, 2026

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a fixed holiday and one of the most celebrated Catholic feast days in Colombia. December 8 marks the beginning of the Christmas season for many Colombian families. The night of December 7 is known as Noche de Velitas (Night of Little Candles), when Colombians place candles and paper lanterns on doorsteps and windowsills across the country. It is a visually stunning and widely participated tradition that signals the start of the holiday season. December 8 falls on a Tuesday in 2026.

Christmas Day (Navidad) — December 25, 2026

Christmas is a fixed holiday and the culmination of a festive season that begins on December 7. Colombian Christmas traditions include novenas (nine days of prayer and celebration from December 16 to 24), nativity scenes displayed in homes and public spaces, and large family gatherings on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena). December 25 itself is spent with family. For remote work planning, expect significantly reduced availability from mid-December through the first week of January, as this period functions as an informal holiday season regardless of official calendar dates.

Carnaval de Barranquilla (cultural observance — not an official public holiday)

Carnaval de Barranquilla runs February 14 to 17, 2026, in the four days preceding Ash Wednesday. It is one of the largest carnivals in the world and holds UNESCO recognition as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. While not an official public holiday, Barranquilla and much of Colombia’s Caribbean coast effectively shut down for the celebration. Events include the Battle of the Flowers parade (February 14), the Grand Parade of Tradition and Folklore (February 15), the Grand Parade of Comparsas (February 16), and the theatrical funeral of Joselito Carnaval on February 17. If your remote team members are based in or near Barranquilla, treat this week as functionally equivalent to a holiday period.

Semana Santa in Popayan (cultural observance — not an official public holiday)

While Holy Thursday and Good Friday are official public holidays, the entire Holy Week (Semana Santa) from March 29 through April 5, 2026 is a period of significant cultural and religious observance nationwide. Popayan’s Holy Week processions are the most famous, dating to the 16th century and recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. The all-white colonial city hosts five nighttime processions from Tuesday through Saturday of Holy Week, drawing over 50,000 visitors. Across Colombia, school closures and business slowdowns start on Monday of Holy Week, and many workers take the full week. Plan for minimal availability from your Colombian team during the week of March 29.

Feria de las Flores in Medellin (cultural observance — not an official public holiday)

The Feria de las Flores runs approximately August 1 to 10, 2026, transforming Medellin into one of the most visually spectacular events in South America. The centerpiece is the Silleteros Parade, in which flower farmers from the Santa Elena highlands carry elaborate flower arrangements called “silletas” on their backs through the city streets. The festival also features orchid exhibitions, horse parades, classic car shows, and concerts. It is Medellin’s most important annual event and draws visitors from across Colombia and internationally. Medellin-based team members may take personal time during the festival week, and the city experiences transportation congestion and general disruption during peak days.

Feria de Cali (cultural observance — not an official public holiday)

The Feria de Cali runs December 25 through 30 each year, making it one of the few major Colombian festivals that overlaps directly with Christmas. Cali is the world capital of salsa music, and the Feria is a five-day salsa marathon featuring competitions, street concerts, and parades. While not a public holiday in the formal sense, Cali effectively pauses during this week. If your remote team includes workers based in Cali, expect this entire final week of the year to be unavailable or operating on a minimal basis.

How to Work with Colombia’s National Holidays as an American Employer

Colombia’s 18 official public holidays are non-negotiable workday absences for your remote team. These are not personal days, floating holidays, or PTO — they are statutory rest days enshrined in Colombian labor law. Expecting a Colombian employee or contractor to work on these days is the equivalent of someone asking you to work on Thanksgiving or Christmas. The professional approach is to mark all 18 dates on your shared team calendar at the start of the year and treat them the same way you’d treat your own company’s holidays. Deadlines, launch dates, and sprint endings should never be scheduled on these days without a clear prior conversation and mutual agreement.

The puente system is the feature of Colombia’s holiday calendar that surprises American employers the most. Because the Emiliani Law moves most holidays to Monday, Colombia generates 11 to 12 three-day weekends per year. Colombian workers are culturally accustomed to traveling and completely disconnecting during puentes. This is not laziness or poor work ethic — it is exactly what the law intended, and it is deeply embedded in how Colombians plan their personal lives. What this means practically: if a holiday lands on Monday, plan for your Colombian team to be mentally and logistically checked out by Friday afternoon. Communication on puente Fridays is often slow, and expecting detailed output or quick turnarounds on those evenings is unrealistic. Build a one-day buffer into any deadline that falls in a puente week.

Communication norms around Colombian holidays are generally good, but they benefit from proactive management on your end. Colombian professionals are accustomed to working with international clients and will typically give advance notice of upcoming holidays, especially major ones like Semana Santa or Christmas season. The most effective approach is to keep a shared planning document updated with upcoming holiday dates visible to the whole team, acknowledge holidays on your calls the week before, and shift sync meetings or check-ins that fall on holiday weeks to Tuesday or Wednesday of the prior week. Avoid scheduling high-stakes deliverables or launches in the windows around Semana Santa (late March / early April), the June holiday cluster, and the December 7 through January 2 holiday season. Those periods are consistently low-bandwidth.

Go Carpathian specializes in placing experienced remote professionals from Colombia and across Latin America with American employers who understand that international hiring works best when it’s built on cultural awareness, not just cost savings. We handle the sourcing, vetting, and onboarding so you spend zero time on logistics and all your time on actual work. If you’re ready to build a reliable Colombian remote team and want a partner who has already mapped the calendars, communication norms, and hiring expectations for you, explore our Latin American remote talent process or learn more about our virtual assistant services to find the right fit for your team.