Colombia has the fourth most national holidays of any country in the world, with 18 in total, plus Palm and Easter Sunday. Some months can have 3 extra work-free days, and Colombians love to make the most of a long weekend by traveling to the country or to the coast.
Most national holidays take place on the first Monday after a set date of significance. This means most make up a ‘fin de semana largo’ (long weekend) or a ‘puente’ (bridge), as 3-day weekends are most commonly called in Medellín.
Of the 18 national holidays, some are set on fixed dates each year, and some can change. There are 12 religious celebrations, while 6 are civic commemorations, with 3 linked to key events in the county’s independence struggle.
In this article, I will explain the significance behind each of Colombia’s national holidays, what you can expect, and share how locals experience each day.
2025 National Holidays in Colombia
New Year’s Day (1 January 2025)
New Year’s Eve is a huge event in Medellín and the end of the month-long Christmas celebrations. The 31st of December is a big family occasion with lots of traditions, fireworks across the city, and drinking until the morning. On 1 January, you will find families and friends enjoying a sanchocho, a large improvised stew cooked in a big metal pot over a fire.
New Year’s Eve is much more of a family occasion than is typical in much of the world. Spending time with family is key, and people may then go to see friends once the family party is calming down at 3 or 4 am. This is definitely one of the most enjoyable of Colombia’s national holidays if you can find a family to adopt you for the evening!
Epiphany – Epifanía (6 January 2025)
This holiday commemorates the visit of the three wise men, known as the Magi, to the baby Jesus. People will go to mass and celebrate the occasion, but it is usually very low-key. Don’t expect any lively celebrations as people physically and financially recover from December.
Saint Joseph’s Day – Día de San José (24 March 2025)
Saint Joseph’s Day is a religious celebration focused on Joseph, the father of Jesus. It has been celebrated by the catholic church since 1479. In Colombia, the day is also celebrated as the ‘Day of the Man’ since 2000. In other parts of the world, ‘Día del Hombre’ is held in November, but in Colombia, they have chosen to combine the day with Día de San José to use the saint as an example of care and compassion. Día del Hombre is a new addition to Colombia’s national holidays.
Day of the Man is aimed at promoting positive masculine traits, contributions, and focusing on the health and well-being of men in society. There may be small gifts or tokens of appreciation. Saint Joseph’s Day is held on the first Monday after 19 March, while Men’s Day is on 19 March, so while they are linked, they may not fall on the same date.
Maundy Thursday – Jueves Santo (17 April 2025)
Maundy Thursday is held on the final Thursday before Easter Sunday. It is one of the most important celebrations for the Catholic Church commemorating the last supper Jesus held with his disciplines before his death.
This is one of the most thoughtful and reflective of Colombia’s national holidays. Across towns and cities in Colombia, there are processions with songs, with the priest leading prayer and carrying the blessed sacrament. The churches are decorated with flowers and symbols such as the lamb, a boat, the light, the heart, and biblical scenes.
Santa Fe de Antioquia, a charming town outside of Medellin, is considered one of the spiritual centers in Colombia on this day.
Good Friday (18 April 2025)
Good Friday is a day of quiet reflection in Colombia to remember the day Jesus was put to death. It is the only day of the year when mass is not celebrated with the altar left bare and songs are not sung. On this day followers of the catholic religion in Colombia reflect on Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice.
Processions of the Stations of the cross are held with prayers. Some people fast during the day or refrain from eating pork or beef. The easter services are concluded on Saturday evening with prayers and processions across the country.
Labour Day – Día del Trabajo (1 May 2025)
Labor Day dates back to 1886 globally as a moment to commemorate the struggle for improved work hours and conditions. It is a day to reflect on workers’ rights and those who have pushed for positive change. It was first celebrated in Colombia in 1914 when the Colombian Workers’ Union held a rally in Bogotá to celebrate labor.
Today it is a national holiday, and it is often a date for large, peaceful marches in major cities across the country. Today, trade unions are focused on improving conditions, wages, and moving people from informal to formal work with the legal protections this can offer.
This is unique in terms of Colombia’s national holidays as it links to the past but is also focused on pushing for change today and in the future.
Ascension Day – Ascensión de Jesús (2 June 2025)
Ascension Day is a catholic celebration in Colombia to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus and ascension to heaven.
The ascension is believed to have taken place 40 days after Easter Sunday, and the national holiday in Colombia is always 43 days after easter to ensure it falls on a Sunday. This means the date can change quite significantly each year.
Corpus Christi (23 June 2025)
Corpus Cristi is a celebration to honor the body and blood of Christ which is made present in the bread and wine at every Eucharist. The date of the celebration is 60 days after Easter Sunday but in Colombia the national holiday is 64 days later to ensure it falls on a Sunday.
This is a celebration which has less significance than others mentioned above but processions are held and the blessed the sacrament is left exposed and surrounded by flowers.
Feast of Saint Peter and Paul – Festivo por San Pedro y San Pablo (30 June 2025)
Saints Peter and Paul are considered the founding apostles of the Christian church. Jesus named Peter ‘the rock’ of the church, which Paul converted to the faith, with both dying as celebrated martyrs of the religion.
The religious festival has particular significance in the interior of Colombia in states such as Tolima and Huila. In Neiva this weekend they hold one of the biggest festivals of the year with parties, parades, a beauty pagent and the San Juanero dance performed in traditional dress. El Espinal in Tolima is the heart of festivities, while there are also major events in Melgar, Natagaima, San Antonio, Coyaima and Alvaro.
While it is not one of Colombia’s national holidays with huge importance, there are towns around Antioquia that hold celebrations and events to commemorate the founding saints.
Festivo de Corpus Christi – Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (30 June 2025)
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a catholic celebration to reflect on God’s love for all people. A French nun called Margaret Mary Alacoque reported visions of the heart of Jesus alive and beating in 1647. While there were decades of debates in the church, devotion to the Sacred Heart was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1873 and in 1920 she was named a saint.
Prayers are held on the Friday before the feast day, and the liturgy is held on Sunday across Colombia. The celebration is recognized as 68 days after Easter on a Thursday, but the national holiday is always on the following Monday.
The dates of the Corpus Cristi and San Pedro y San Pablo national holidays are calculated independently, but there is a chance they fall on the same day. In this instance, Colombia has one fewer national holiday each year.
Colombian Independence Day – Día de la Independencia de Colombia (20 July 2025)
Colombia celebrates independence on 20 July to commemorate the spark which gave rise to a decade long battle of liberation.
Tensions had been rising in Colombia, and external factors had weakened Spanish control in the region. On 20 July 1810, criollo leaders requested the establishment of a governing body in Bogota from Viceroy Antonio José Amar y Borbón. This had been approved in other cities controlled by the Spanish, but the viceroy rejected the proposal and dismissed criole calls for representation.
Frustrated by a lack of movement, criollos Luis Rubio and Pantaleón Sanz de Santamaría went to visit Spanish businessman José González Llorente to ask him to borrow a vase for an event with criollo commissioner Antonio Villavicencio. As they predicted, the request was rejected and they were told he would not help criollos.
The hundreds gathered to welcome Villavicencio were told of Llorente’s refusal, with Jose Maria Carbonell emphasising the businessman’s dismissive attitude as reflective of the cruel and discriminatory nature of Spanish rule.
Ruling authorities formed the People’s Junta to address the concerns of the community, but then made Viceroy Amar y Borbónthe President, only inflaming anger further. A day later, the Junta ordered the Viceroy to step down and called for his arrest. On 26 July, the Junta cut ties with the Seville Regency Country, declaring independence from the Spanish ruling council in Colombia.
Full independence would take many more turbulent years to arrive but events of 20 July were the catalyst of what was to come Today in Colombia the 20 July is celebrated with military parades and cultural events held in major cities. Public buildings will all raise the Colombain flag between 8am and 6pm, as will many homes and private businesses.
Battle of Boyacá Day – Batalla de Boyacá (7 August 2025)
The years after the establishment of the Junta in Bogota and the declaration of independence in Cartagena were filled with chaos, instability, and internal conflict. By 1815, the Spanish throne had violently re-established control in large areas of the country, fostering further anger and resentment.
Leader Simon Bolivar led a military campaign that aimed to liberate cities from Spanish control across the region from Maracaibo in Venezuela down to Lima in Peru. A decisive victory was won by Bolivar on 7 August 1819 at the Battle of Boyacá, with the royalist soldiers surrendering. When news reached Bogota, viceroy Juan de Sámano fled to Cartagena. Bolivar took Bogota with no resistance in the following days and by November an independence treaty would be signed.
Cartagena was captured in 1821 the independence movement would continue to liberate modern day Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
Since 1888, the newly elected president takes office on 7 August every four years. Across the country there are celebrations with traditional dance, speeches, and military events. The armed forces hold ceremonies and refer to the day as National Army Day (Día del Ejército Nacional).
The 7 August is also celebrated as Flag Day (Día de la Bandera), where the country highlights national symbols. The Colombian flag will be raised around the cities and towns in the country.
The Feria de las Flores will also be held in the start of August in Medellin. There is not an official national holiday for the important regional event but many of the important festivities will coincide with the bank holiday Monday.
Assumption of the Virgin – Asunción de la Virgen (18 August 2025)
The Assumption of the Virgin is the second feast day in August and is celebrated on the first Monday after August 15. The catholic holiday celebrates the assumption into heaven of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
There is no evidence to indicate the month or year of the death of Mary Magdalene, but texts from the fourth and fifth centuries mention that Mary died in the presence of the apostles and that Saint Thomas then found her tomb empty. According to these sources, the apostles concluded her body had been taken to heaven, and in 1950, Pope Pius XII declared this a dogma of faith.
Churches in Colombia commemorate this date and pay homage to the Virgin Mary on the nearest Sunday to 15 August. Some processions and small events are held around the country.
The eight weeks from the assumption to the day of the races is the longest period between national holidays in the Colombian calendar.
Day of the Races – Día de la Raza (13 October 2025)
Once known in Colombia as “date of the discovery of America by the illustrious Admiral Christopher Columbus”, since 2021 the national holiday has been formally called the “Day of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity of the Colombian Nation”.
Throughout the country, activities highlighting cultural diversity and cultural exchange are held, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the roots that shape the country’s historical and ethnic richness. Efforts are made to recognise the challenges Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities still face, promoting dialogue about inclusion and respect for diversity.
In Colombia, the national holiday takes place on the first Monday after 12 October each year. This is the only long weekend between August and November, so it is a particularly popular time to take short breaks in the country or to the coast.
All Saints Day – Todos los Santos (3 November 2025)
The feast day of All Saints is celebrated in Colombia on the first Monday after 1 November. These religious celebrations commemorate all the saints, both unknown and recognized in the Catholic Church’s calendar of saints.
The Catholic Church recognizes more than 7,000 saints, but only a few receive a special feast day so this day is dedicated to the rest. Religious ceremonies are held at churches but there are not many dedicated additional events on this national holiday.
Cartagena Independence Day (17 November 2025)
The Cartagena Independence Day national holiday is celebrated every year on the first Monday after 11 November.
On 11 November 1811, Cartagena declared full independence from Spain, the first to do so in Colombia and the second in the Americas. While the declaration in Bogota focused on autonomy and representation, Cartagena declared itself to be the independent and sovereign Free State of Cartagena.
The Free State of Cartagena period was also noted for progressive moves towards full racial equality, with Afro-Colombians such as Pedro Romero key in the independence movement.
The city faced a brutal siege which left the population starving, before the Spanish brutally re-established control in 1815. It wasn’t until 1821 that the city was once again liberated from Spanish rule, two years after the Battle of Boyacá.
The declaration in Cartagena and the establishment of the free state inspired Colombia and other communities in the Americas to fight for independence from the Spanish crown.
While the date is recognized across the country as a national holiday, it has particular significance in Cartagena. The mayor of Cartagena will read the proclamation of independence, which dates back to 11 November 1812. While there is a more formal, reflective ceremony, much of the week is a lively celebration of the city and its people.
The Independence day celebrations are also part of a week long party known as Fiestas de Noviembre or just Novembrinas. The festivities last all week, with the Bando Parade the most notable event. Floats pass through the streets with dancers, music, and drinking. The national Miss Colombia contestants are present and Miss Independence is crowned.
Revelers will dress in colourful outfits representative of the Caribbean culture. There are costumes representing the Spanish, indigenous and independence fighters as well as more playful ones, including some with Marimonda masks.
Day of the Candles – Día de las Velitas (8 December 2025)
The Day of the Candles is celebrated every year between the night of 7 December into the early morning of 8 December. Colombians gather with family, friends, and neighbors to light candles and usher in the Christmas season.
The Day of the Candles is the name given in Colombia to the celebration of the Immaculate Conception. The celebration of the Immaculate Conception on 9 December became part of the Roman calendar in 1476 and was made dogma by Pope Pius in 1854. The tradition reached Colombia during the Spanish colonial period and initially lasted several days.
The most popular celebration in Medellin involves lighting a row of simple candles on the street in front of the houses. Each candle represents a loved one, and a prayer is privately made for each as the candle is lit. Lantens made of paper can also be made and can sometimes be placed alongside the riverbank.
The candle night celebrations are often enjoyed with traditional Colombian Christmas food such as buñuelos, tamales, and natilla. It is a really nice event with families coming together wishing each other well and lighting candles in the street.
Christmas Day (25 December 2025)
Christmas is a huge occasion in Colombia, and it really is a celebration that lasts a full month. A radio jingle dating from the early 90s remains popular, including the now iconic phrase “Desde septiembre se siente que viene diciembre” (from September you can feel that December is coming). Christmas is a big deal in Colombia.
While the national holiday is on 25 December, much of the celebrating will take place on the evening of 24 December. Presents are shared at midnight, and the party will continue long after the sun rises on 25 December.
Given children stay up all night for the party, their presents will often be discovered in the house shortly after midnight, having been secretly dropped off by El Niño Dios (baby Jesus). I have been unable to establish logistically how that is possible, but best not to worry about that.
Many Colombians will go to church on 24 December in the afternoon or early evening, before beginning family celebrations at home. Many cities will have extensive and elaborate decorations, while the Medellin river has huge lights and displays.
The period between Christmas and New Year is one of the most special in Medellin, and people will drink, dance, and celebrate with friends and family.
