Colombia stands out in Latin America for its generous calendar of public holidays, and a common question travelers and remote workers ask is straightforward: how many holidays are in Colombia? Knowing the exact count matters for planning trips, scheduling meetings, and understanding business culture.
How many official holidays are there in Colombia?
Colombia has 18 national public holidays each year, spread across the calendar. These include religious celebrations, historical commemorations, and cultural observances. For planning purposes, it helps to think of Colombia’s holiday calendar as relatively dense: roughly one public holiday every three weeks, with some months clustering several days off in a row.
Breakdown of Colombian public holidays by month
Below is the typical list of Colombia’s 18 official holidays, which is useful when estimating working days and travel windows:
- January 1 – New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)
- January 6 (observed on Monday) – Epiphany (Día de los Reyes Magos)
- March 19 (observed on Monday) – Saint Joseph’s Day (Día de San José)
- Maundy Thursday (Semana Santa)
- Good Friday (Viernes Santo)
- May 1 – Labor Day (Día del Trabajo)
- Ascension Day (Ascensión del Señor, observed on Monday)
- Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi, observed on Monday)
- Sacred Heart (Sagrado Corazón, observed on Monday)
- June 29 (observed on Monday) – Saint Peter and Saint Paul (San Pedro y San Pablo)
- July 20 – Independence Day (Día de la Independencia)
- August 7 – Battle of Boyacá (Batalla de Boyacá)
- August 15 (observed on Monday) – Assumption of Mary (Asunción de la Virgen)
- October 12 (observed on Monday) – Day of Race and Culture (Día de la Raza)
- November 1 (observed on Monday) – All Saints’ Day (Todos los Santos)
- November 11 (observed on Monday) – Independence of Cartagena (Independencia de Cartagena)
- December 8 – Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción)
- December 25 – Christmas (Navidad)
Because many of these holidays are moved to the nearest Monday, Colombia often enjoys long weekends, which can affect business schedules and transportation.
How Colombia’s holiday count compares to other countries
With 18 fixed and movable holidays, Colombia’s total is higher than many global averages. For example:
| Country | Typical public holidays |
|---|---|
| Colombia | 18 |
| United States | 11–12 |
| United Kingdom | 8–10 |
| Mexico | 8–14 (approx.) |
This comparison shows Colombia’s calendar is on the heavier side for national non-working days, especially with the Monday observance practice.
Effect on travel and business in Colombia
When you factor in how many holidays are in Colombia, logistics and operations need flexibility. Many firms slow down around Semana Santa, Independence Day in July, and the December festivities. Transportation, government offices, and some retail services may have reduced hours or close entirely.
For remote teams and international partners, the key detail is that Colombia’s 18 holidays are not evenly distributed. Certain months can have three or four days off in a short span, while others remain regular.
Religious and cultural significance of Colombian holidays
Many of Colombia’s 18 days off are rooted in Catholic traditions.
- Semana Santa (Holy Week)
- Feasts such as Corpus Christi, Sacred Heart, and All Saints’ Day
- Assumption of Mary and Immaculate Conception
At the same time, Independence Day, the Battle of Boyacá, and the Day of Race and Culture shape national identity and public discourse.
Major clusters and long weekends
To optimize travel, focus on these typical clusters:
- Late March–April (Semana Santa and Easter)
- Late June–early July (Saint Peter and Paul, Sacred Heart, Independence)
- Late July–August (Battle of Boyacá)
- October–November (Day of Race and Culture, All Saints, Cartagena Independence)
- Early December (Immaculate Conception and Christmas)
Long weekends are common, so advance booking is wise during these periods.
Practical planning around Colombia’s holiday calendar
Counting on 18 official Colombian holidays, planning should include:
- Checking the exact Monday observance dates each year
- Coordinating with local partners, as some regions add local patron saint days
- Considering extra local celebrations and festivals alongside the 18 national holidays
- Contingency closures and adjusted business hours around major clusters
It’s also worth verifying official updates, as holiday rules can shift.
Understanding Colombia’s holiday framework
To summarize the core answer: Colombia observes 18 national holidays per year, many moved to Mondays, plus possible local observances. This shapes business rhythms, travel flows, and cultural life. Whether you’re scheduling work, booking flights, or negotiating with partners, that number—and its uneven distribution—is central to working effectively in and with Colombia.
