Panama Public Holidays

Panama Public Holidays

Searching for the national holidays in Panama? All public holidays in Panama are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Panama employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Panama and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.

Panama, a Central American country with a rich cultural and historical background, celebrates a variety of public holidays that reflect its national history, religious observances, and cultural traditions. These holidays are significant to the people of Panama, providing an opportunity for reflection on the country’s journey, as well as moments of unity, celebration, and rest. National holidays commemorate the country’s independence, while religious holidays highlight Panama’s predominantly Christian roots. Additionally, a number of holidays celebrate Panama’s role as a major trade and transport hub due to the Panama Canal.

National Public Holidays

1. New Year’s Day (January 1st)

According to paradisdachat.com, New Year’s Day is celebrated in Panama on January 1st, marking the start of the new year.

Significance

• Symbolizes new beginnings, renewal, and hope for the future.
• A time for personal reflection on the past year and setting resolutions for the year ahead.

Celebrations

• Families and friends gather to celebrate with fireworks, parties, and traditional meals.
• In cities like Panama City, large public events and fireworks displays light up the sky at midnight.
• Many Panamanians attend religious services, such as the Catholic Misa de Año Nuevo (New Year’s Mass), to pray for blessings in the new year.
• Traditional foods such as tamales and arroz con pollo (chicken with rice) are commonly served at family gatherings.

2. Martyrs’ Day (January 9th)

Martyrs’ Day is an important national holiday that commemorates the deaths of Panamanian students who were killed during a protest against the U.S. presence in the Panama Canal Zone in 1964.

Significance

• Honors the Panamanian students and civilians who lost their lives while protesting for national sovereignty and control over the Panama Canal.
• A pivotal event in Panama’s struggle for independence from U.S. influence and control over the Canal Zone.

Commemorations

• Official ceremonies and wreath-laying events take place at memorials across the country, especially in Panama City.
• Schools, government offices, and many businesses close in observance of the day.
• Marches and gatherings are held in remembrance of the martyrs and to reflect on Panama’s national sovereignty.
• Flags are flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning and respect.

3. Independence Day from Spain (November 28th)

Panama’s Independence Day from Spain, celebrated on November 28th, marks the day in 1821 when Panama gained its independence from Spanish colonial rule.

Significance

• Celebrates Panama’s liberation from Spanish rule and the beginning of its journey as an independent nation.
• Recognizes the historical importance of Panama’s role in the wider independence movements across Latin America.

Celebrations

• Parades and cultural festivals take place throughout the country, with the largest events happening in Panama City.
• Schools, businesses, and government offices close to allow people to participate in the festivities.
• Traditional music, dance, and folkloric performances are held, showcasing Panama’s cultural heritage.
• Families gather for special meals and celebrations, with traditional Panamanian dishes such as sancocho (a hearty chicken stew) often served.

4. Separation Day from Colombia (November 3rd)

Separation Day from Colombia is a significant national holiday that celebrates Panama’s separation from Colombia in 1903, marking the country’s establishment as an independent republic.

Significance

• Commemorates Panama’s peaceful separation from Colombia and the creation of an independent Panamanian state.
• Acknowledges the role of the United States in supporting Panama’s independence, particularly with the building of the Panama Canal.

Celebrations

• Large parades with marching bands and dancers are held, particularly in Panama City and other major cities.
• Government officials deliver speeches highlighting Panama’s national identity, sovereignty, and progress.
• Public buildings and homes are decorated with the Panamanian flag, and patriotic songs are played throughout the day.
• Fireworks displays and cultural events add to the festive atmosphere, celebrating the country’s history and independence.

5. Flag Day (November 4th)

Flag Day, celebrated immediately after Separation Day, is dedicated to honoring the Panamanian flag, a key symbol of the country’s independence and national pride.

Significance

• Celebrates the creation of Panama’s national flag, which symbolizes the country’s unity, sovereignty, and independence.
• Highlights national pride and respect for the symbols of Panama’s identity.

Celebrations

• Flag-raising ceremonies are held in towns and cities across the country, with government officials and citizens in attendance.
• Schools, military units, and public organizations participate in parades and public celebrations featuring the national flag.
• Citizens are encouraged to display the Panamanian flag on their homes and in public spaces as a sign of national unity.

6. Colon Day (November 5th)

Colon Day marks the finalization of Panama’s separation from Colombia and the successful defense of the city of Colon during the independence movement in 1903.

Significance

• Commemorates the role of the city of Colon in securing Panama’s independence from Colombia.
• Recognizes the people of Colon for their efforts in ensuring Panama’s sovereignty.

Celebrations

• In Colon, the day is marked with parades, musical performances, and speeches honoring the city’s role in Panama’s independence.
• Schools and government offices are closed, and families take part in local celebrations.
• Cultural events and traditional dances highlight the day, with local cuisine such as patacones (fried plantains) and empanadas being enjoyed.

Religious Public Holidays

7. Holy Thursday and Good Friday (Varies)

Holy Thursday and Good Friday are two important Christian holidays observed during Easter Week, commemorating the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Significance

• Holy Thursday celebrates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples, while Good Friday marks the crucifixion and death of Christ.
• These days are especially significant in Panama, where Catholicism is the dominant religion.

Observances

• Churches hold solemn services, including processions and prayers, particularly in Panama City and other large towns.
• Many Panamanians attend misa (mass) and participate in processions that reenact the Stations of the Cross.
• On Good Friday, some Panamanians fast or refrain from eating meat as a sign of penance and devotion.
• Families come together for quiet meals, often featuring seafood dishes in place of meat.

8. Christmas Day (December 25th)

Christmas Day is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Panama, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a day of religious and family observance.

Significance

• Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, central to Christian beliefs and widely observed in Panama.
• A time for family gatherings, gift-giving, and expressions of love and goodwill.

Celebrations

• Many Panamanians attend Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass) on Christmas Eve, followed by family meals and gift exchanges.
• Homes are decorated with Christmas trees, lights, and nativity scenes, known as nacimientos.
• Traditional Christmas dishes, such as tamales, arroz con pollo, and dulce de frutas (fruitcake), are served at family gatherings.
• In some regions, Christmas pageants and performances reenacting the Nativity are held in churches and public spaces.

9. Carnival Monday and Tuesday (Varies)

Carnival in Panama is a multi-day celebration that occurs in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. The Monday and Tuesday of Carnival are public holidays, marking the peak of the festivities.

Significance

• Carnival is a festive season that precedes Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and reflection in the Christian calendar.
• It is a time of indulgence and celebration before the solemn observances of Lent.

Celebrations

• The largest Carnival celebrations take place in Panama City, Las Tablas, and other major cities, featuring parades, floats, costumes, and dancing.
• Traditional music, such as cumbia and tambores, fills the streets, with thousands of participants and spectators joining in the festivities.
• Water trucks, or culecos, spray revelers with water to cool off during the parades and parties.
• Families and friends gather to enjoy the lively atmosphere, often sharing traditional foods and drinks throughout the day.

Other Notable Public Holidays

10. Labor Day (May 1st)

Labor Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, is a public holiday in Panama that celebrates the contributions of workers and the labor movement.

Significance

• Recognizes the rights of workers and the importance of labor to the country’s development.
• A day to advocate for fair wages, working conditions, and labor rights.

Celebrations

• Trade unions and workers’ organizations hold rallies and parades, particularly in Panama City, to raise awareness of labor issues.
• Political speeches and gatherings focus on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic challenges.
• Families often spend the day relaxing, as schools and businesses are closed for the holiday.