Colombia Public Holidays 2026: Official Calendar, Puentes Festivos, and Travel Impact

I remember trying to get a simple visa document notarized in mid-June a few years ago, only to find the notary office locked and the streets completely dead. I had forgotten to check the calendar. If you live or travel here, Colombia’s public holidays—specifically the long weekends known as puentes festivos—dictate your schedule.

Quick Answer: Colombia has 19 official national public holidays in 2026. Thanks to a law called Ley Emiliani, many of these holidays are legally moved to the following Monday, creating long weekends that can affect banking, government services, and intercity travel.

The Official 2026 Colombia Public Holiday Calendar

Whether you are planning a visa run, scheduling meetings, or trying to figure out when your local DIAN office is open, you need the official dates. With the recent addition of a new national holiday, the 2026 calendar is packed. The dates below follow the Ministerio de Hacienda’s 2026 calendar.

Date (2026)	Holiday	Moved to Monday?
Jan 1 (Thu)	New Year's Day	No
Jan 12 (Mon)	Epiphany (Reyes Magos)	Yes
Mar 23 (Mon)	St. Joseph's Day	Yes
Apr 2 (Thu)	Maundy Thursday	No
Apr 3 (Fri)	Good Friday	No
May 1 (Fri)	Labor Day	No
May 18 (Mon)	Ascension Day	Yes
Jun 8 (Mon)	Corpus Christi	Yes
Jun 15 (Mon)	Sacred Heart	Yes
Jun 29 (Mon)	Sts. Peter and Paul	Yes
Jul 13 (Mon)	Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá	Yes
Jul 20 (Mon)	Independence Day	No
Aug 7 (Fri)	Battle of Boyacá	No
Aug 17 (Mon)	Assumption of Mary	Yes
Oct 12 (Mon)	Columbus Day (Día de la Raza)	Yes
Nov 2 (Mon)	All Saints' Day	Yes
Nov 16 (Mon)	Independence of Cartagena	Yes
Dec 8 (Tue)	Immaculate Conception	No
Dec 25 (Fri)	Christmas Day	No

How 'Ley Emiliani' Creates Puentes Festivos

If you look closely at the table above, you'll notice a massive cluster of Mondays. This isn't a coincidence. Under Ley 51 of 1983—universally known as Ley Emiliani—certain religious and civic holidays are automatically transferred to the following Monday if they don't naturally fall on one.

The result is the puente festivo (holiday bridge). For expats and remote workers, this means you can expect three-day weekends almost every month, and sometimes two or three in a row during June and November. Honestly, it's great for taking short trips, but it's a nightmare if you urgently need to resolve an administrative issue.

The New 2026 Holiday: Día de Chiquinquirá

If you're looking at an older calendar, it might only show 18 holidays. However, Ley 2578 of 2026 officially added the Día de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá to the national roster. The actual date of the holiday is July 9, but because it falls under the Ley Emiliani transfer rules, the observed paid rest day for 2026 is Monday, July 13.

Banco de la República lists July 13, 2026 as a bank holiday. Update your planner and check your own financial institution’s channels so you don't get caught off guard mid-July.

What Closes (and What Costs More) on a Festivo

A public holiday in Colombia can slow the country's administrative machinery. Here is what you need to know about schedules and costs:

• Banks and Government: Many branches and public offices follow holiday schedules. Do not assume a bank, DIAN office, notary, or immigration-related service will be available; check the specific institution before planning a deadline or closing.
• Private Businesses: Supermarkets, shopping malls, restaurants, clinics, and neighborhood shops set their own holiday hours, so confirm directly rather than assuming they are open or closed.
• Labor Costs: If you employ local staff (like a domestic worker or an assistant), take note. As of July 1, 2026, Art. 179 sets a 90% surcharge for work on a mandatory rest day or holiday under the gradual implementation schedule. Always check your employment contracts and consult a labor professional to ensure you are paying the correct legal rate.

Travel Planning & Long Weekend Survival Guide

When a puente hits, many residents use the long weekend for a trip. While it's a great time to explore, you need to be strategic.

According to Colombia Move marketplace supply data accessed July 30, 2026, temporary housing had just 1 active listing against a target of 8, while the category had recorded 213 views and a supply-gap score of 109. That is a thin pool, so I would not leave short-term lodging until the last minute.

Road travel also requires patience. MinTransporte published cargo-vehicle restrictions for several 2026 holiday weekends on national roads. Bogotá's official mobility guidance also advises intermunicipal bus travelers to buy through official terminal or operator channels and plan ahead. If you are relying on bus travel in Colombia during a puente, buy ahead and check current departure information.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How many public holidays does Colombia have in 2026?

Colombia has 19 national public holidays in 2026. This includes the recently added Día de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá, which brings the total up from the previous 18.

❓ What is Ley Emiliani in Colombia?

Ley Emiliani (Ley 51 of 1983) is a law that automatically moves certain religious and civic holidays to the following Monday. This creates the frequent three-day weekends known as puentes festivos.

❓ Is July 13, 2026 a public holiday in Colombia?

Yes, July 13 is the observed 2026 rest day for the new national holiday, Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá. The actual date is July 9, but it moves to Monday under Ley Emiliani rules.

❓ Are banks closed on Colombian public holidays?

Many banking operations follow holiday schedules. Banco de la República lists July 13, 2026 as a bank holiday for Chiquinquirá, but you should check your specific bank’s channels for branch and transaction availability.

❓ Do buses and roads get busier on puentes festivos?

Often yes, and official authorities publish holiday travel controls. MinTransporte issued road restrictions for several 2026 holiday weekends, while Bogotá’s guidance tells bus travelers to use official sales channels and plan ahead.

❓ Do employees get paid extra for working a holiday in Colombia?

Yes, from July 1, 2026, work on a mandatory rest day or holiday is subject to a 90% surcharge under Art. 179’s gradual schedule. Check the specific employment arrangement or consult a labor professional.