The Republic of Panama has officially confirmed its schedule of eleven national holidays for the 2026 calendar year. The list, published by authorities, includes patriotic commemorations, religious observances, and the festive Carnival break. Workers across the nation can plan for these mandatory days off, which feature one designated bridge holiday extending a weekend.
This annual schedule is governed by the nation’s labor laws, which provide clear rules for holiday pay and weekend adjustments. When a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the day of rest automatically transfers to the following Monday. This provision ensures a long weekend for employees and alters the typical workweek structure.
Legal Framework for National Holidays
The legal basis for these holidays is firmly established in Article 49 of the Labor Code of Panama. This statute designates national holidays as mandatory rest days. Employees required to work on these dates due to the nature of their job receive significant compensation. The law mandates a 150 percent surcharge on their regular daily wage. They also get an additional day off later in the same workweek.
“The days of national celebration or mourning are of obligatory rest,” [Translated from Spanish] states the labor code. It further clarifies the compensation, noting that “the worker who labors on one of those days will receive a surcharge of 150 percent on the daily salary earned.”
This system protects workers’ rights while ensuring essential services can continue to operate on holidays. The financial incentive for working these days is substantial, reflecting the importance of the mandatory rest period.
2026 Holiday Schedule Month by Month
The year begins with New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1. Panama then observes Martyrs’ Day on Friday, January 9. This day honors the sacrifices made for the country’s sovereignty. February features a single but highly anticipated holiday, Carnival Tuesday, on February 17.
A significant religious observance, Good Friday, falls on April 3. International Workers’ Day, a global celebration of labor, is recognized on Friday, May 1. The calendar then moves into a quiet period during the middle of the year with no official national holidays in June or July.
The final four months of the year are packed with patriotic commemorations. November is particularly dense, hosting four separate national holidays. These dates trace the nation’s complex path to independence.
Patriotic Holidays and Historical Significance
Panama’s journey to nationhood is marked by several key events celebrated in November. The month starts with Separation Day on Tuesday, November 3, which commemorates the Separation of Panama from Colombia in 1903. The province of Colon observes its own related holiday, the Day of the Consolidation of the Separation, on November 5.
The Cry of Independence in the Villa of Los Santos is remembered on November 10. This event was a crucial precursor to full independence. The month concludes with Independence from Spain Day on Saturday, November 28. This holiday celebrates the country’s initial break from European colonial power.
December brings three final holidays. Mothers’ Day is celebrated on Tuesday, December 8. Christmas Day falls on a Friday, December 25. A more solemn modern observance, the Day of the Fallen for the United States Invasion of Panama, is set for Sunday, December 20.
This day remembers those who lost their lives during the United States invasion of Panama in 1989. Because it falls on a Sunday in 2026, the day off will be observed on Monday, December 21. This creates the year’s only official bridge holiday.
Special Compensation for the Bridge Holiday
The observance of the Day of the Fallen on Monday, December 21, triggers a different pay structure for anyone working that day. Since it is the transferred rest day for a Sunday holiday, the compensation rate is distinct from a standard holiday. Employees who work on this Monday will receive their normal daily salary plus a 50 percent surcharge.
This rule applies specifically to holidays that are transferred from a Sunday to a Monday. It provides a clear financial benefit for working on what would otherwise be a standard start to the workweek. The distinction ensures employers properly compensate staff during these adjusted schedules.
Panama’s 2026 holiday calendar offers a balanced mix of celebration, remembrance, and rest. It weaves together the nation’s rich history with its modern labor practices. Workers and employers alike now have a full year to prepare for these official breaks from the routine.