Bolivia has 14 nationwide public holiday dates in 2026, including Carnival, Good Friday, Labour Day, Independence Day and Christmas. The official calendar also includes additional non-working days and transferred holidays introduced to encourage domestic tourism.
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The 2026 schedule is governed by Supreme Decree No. 2750, as amended, Supreme Decree No. 5510 of 29 December 2025 and Supreme Decree No. 5521 of 13 January 2026. These regulations establish the national calendar for public and private workplaces. Departmental and municipal holidays may provide additional days off in particular locations.
This guide explains Bolivia's official holiday dates, transferred observances, special non-working days, religious celebrations, long weekends and employment rules.
Next Public Holiday in Bolivia
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Officially Scheduled |
Public Holidays in Bolivia 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Confirmed |
| January 2, 2026 | Friday | New Year – Additional Public Holiday | Confirmed |
| January 23, 2026 | Friday | Plurinational State Foundation Day – Transferred Holiday | Confirmed |
| February 16, 2026 | Monday | Carnival Monday | Confirmed |
| February 17, 2026 | Tuesday | Carnival Tuesday | Confirmed |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Confirmed |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day | Confirmed |
| June 4, 2026 | Thursday | Corpus Christi | Confirmed |
| June 5, 2026 | Friday | Corpus Christi – Additional Public Holiday | Confirmed |
| June 22, 2026 | Monday | Andean-Amazonian-Chaco New Year – Transferred Holiday | Confirmed |
| August 6, 2026 | Thursday | Independence Day | Confirmed |
| August 7, 2026 | Friday | Independence Day – Additional Public Holiday | Confirmed |
| November 2, 2026 | Monday | All Souls' Day | Officially Scheduled |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Officially Scheduled |
Bolivia has 14 officially designated nationwide public holiday dates in 2026. The schedule includes regular statutory holidays, a special New Year holiday, two additional national holidays and two transferred observances.
The national calendar is established by Supreme Decree No. 5521, while the separate New Year measure is confirmed by the Ministry of Labour.
The official calendar lists non-working dates rather than simply the historical dates on which celebrations occur. This distinction is especially important for the Plurinational State Foundation Day and Andean-Amazonian-Chaco New Year.
How Public Holidays Work in Bolivia
Bolivia recognizes national public holidays known as feriados nacionales. These dates are established through legislation and government decrees, with suspension of ordinary public and private sector work.
The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Welfare issues official announcements explaining holiday observance, transferred dates and employer obligations.
Bolivia's holiday legislation also allows the government to make specific calendar adjustments. Such changes may transfer an existing holiday to another date or create additional non-working days for a particular year.
Supreme Decree No. 5521 made several changes specifically for 2026, including two holiday transfers and two additional nationwide days off. The government introduced these measures to encourage travel and economic activity associated with domestic tourism.
Transferred Public Holidays in Bolivia in 2026
Bolivia transferred two national public holidays in 2026 under Article 4 of Supreme Decree No. 5521.
Plurinational State Foundation Day
Plurinational State Foundation Day, known as Día de la Creación del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, is commemorated on 22 January.
For 2026, the national non-working holiday was transferred from Thursday, 22 January, to Friday, 23 January.
The original commemorative date remained 22 January, but the nationwide suspension of public and private activities applied on 23 January instead.
The Ministry of Labour's Communiqué DGTHSO-004/26 expressly confirms this transfer.
Andean-Amazonian-Chaco New Year
The Andean-Amazonian-Chaco New Year, known as Año Nuevo Andino Amazónico Chaqueño, is celebrated on 21 June.
The observance has cultural and ancestral significance, marking a new cycle associated with Indigenous traditions and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.
In 2026, the traditional date fell on Sunday, 21 June. Supreme Decree No. 5521 transferred the national non-working holiday to Monday, 22 June.
The Ministry of Labour's Communiqué DGTHSO-029/2026 confirms that Monday, 22 June, was a nationwide holiday for public and private workplaces.
The original Sunday observance should not be entered as an additional statutory holiday in a database counting official non-working dates.
Additional Public Holidays in Bolivia in 2026
Bolivia introduced three additional nationwide public holiday dates affecting the 2026 calendar. One was established for New Year, while two others were introduced under Supreme Decree No. 5521.
Additional New Year Holiday
Supreme Decree No. 5510 of 29 December 2025 declared Friday, 2 January 2026, an additional nationwide public holiday.
As a result, both Thursday, 1 January, and Friday, 2 January, were non-working holidays throughout Bolivia.
The Ministry of Labour's Communiqué DGTHSO-045/2025 confirms that both dates applied to public and private workplaces.
Additional Corpus Christi Holiday
Corpus Christi fell on Thursday, 4 June 2026. Under Article 3 of Supreme Decree No. 5521, Friday, 5 June, was also declared a national public holiday.
This created two consecutive statutory non-working days associated with Corpus Christi.
The Ministry of Labour's Communiqué DGTHSO-026/2026 confirms that both dates were holidays throughout Bolivia, with suspension of public and private activities.
Additional Independence Day Holiday
Bolivia celebrates Independence Day on 6 August, commemorating its declaration of independence in 1825.
In 2026, Independence Day fell on Thursday, 6 August. The government also declared Friday, 7 August, a nationwide public holiday.
The additional day was established under Supreme Decree No. 5521, allowing an extended period of national celebration and domestic travel.
Religious Public Holidays in Bolivia
Bolivia's national calendar includes several Christian religious observances. Their legal status as public holidays is established through the national holiday framework, rather than their religious significance alone.
Carnival Monday and Tuesday
Carnival is one of Bolivia's best-known celebrations, with traditions involving music, dance, parades and religious and cultural festivities.
The Carnival of Oruro is particularly famous for its traditional performances and cultural heritage.
In 2026, Carnival Monday fell on 16 February and Carnival Tuesday on 17 February. Both dates were national public holidays under the official calendar.
Good Friday
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and forms part of Christian Holy Week.
It fell on Friday, 3 April 2026, and was recognized as a nationwide public holiday.
The date varies annually because it is calculated according to the Christian Easter calendar.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is a Catholic celebration honouring the Eucharist. It is recognized as a national public holiday in Bolivia.
In 2026, Corpus Christi fell on 4 June, with an additional holiday on 5 June under the government's special annual arrangements.
All Souls' Day
All Souls' Day, known as Día de Todos los Difuntos, is observed on 2 November.
The day is associated with remembrance of deceased family members and traditional practices honouring ancestors and loved ones.
In Bolivia, families may visit cemeteries, prepare traditional foods and take part in commemorative gatherings.
The national public holiday fell on Monday, 2 November 2026.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is observed annually on 25 December. It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is a nationwide public holiday in Bolivia.
In 2026, Christmas Day fell on Friday.
National Integration Day in Bolivia
Supreme Decree No. 5521 established 27 September as Día Nacional de la Integración Boliviana, or National Integration Day.
The observance is intended to promote national unity, cultural understanding and connections between Bolivia's different regions and communities.
However, Article 2 of the decree explicitly provides that this commemorative day is observed without suspension of work.
National Integration Day is therefore not an additional nationwide public holiday. It should not be counted among the 14 statutory non-working dates for 2026.
Regional and Departmental Holidays in Bolivia
In addition to the nationwide public holiday calendar, Bolivia has departmental and municipal observances connected with local anniversaries, religious traditions and regional celebrations.
These holidays may apply to specific departments, municipalities or institutions rather than every workplace in Bolivia.
For example, regional celebrations can affect businesses and government offices in individual departments even when the date remains an ordinary working day elsewhere.
Official departmental announcements should be consulted when planning work, travel or business activities in a particular location.
The nationwide VisaBoards holiday schedule excludes regional dates unless they are expressly classified and supported by the relevant government authority.
Long Weekends in Bolivia in 2026
Bolivia's 2026 holiday calendar provides several opportunities for extended breaks, especially because the government added holidays adjacent to existing national observances.
The New Year holidays on Thursday and Friday, 1–2 January, created a four-day break through Sunday, 4 January, for employees following a standard Saturday-Sunday weekend.
The transferred Plurinational State Foundation Day holiday on Friday, 23 January, also created a three-day weekend for those employees.
Carnival Monday and Tuesday, 16–17 February, created four consecutive days away from work when combined with the preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Good Friday on 3 April and Labour Day on 1 May each provided a potential three-day weekend.
The Corpus Christi holidays on Thursday and Friday, 4–5 June, and Independence Day holidays on Thursday and Friday, 6–7 August, each provided potential four-day breaks.
The transferred Andean-Amazonian-Chaco New Year holiday on Monday, 22 June, and All Souls' Day on Monday, 2 November, each created a potential three-day weekend.
Christmas Day on Friday, 25 December, also provided a potential three-day break.
These examples assume a Saturday-Sunday weekend. Actual time off depends on the employee's working schedule and the legal arrangements affecting essential or continuous services.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Bolivia?
Bolivia's national public holidays are legally recognized non-working dates. The applicable labour rules govern payment, working arrangements and compensation where services must continue.
Employees required to work during a public holiday may qualify for compensatory rest or increased holiday pay under the General Labour Law and its implementing regulations, depending on the circumstances.
The Ministry of Labour's January 2026 holiday communiqué refers to compensatory rest or payment with a 100% surcharge, as applicable, for work performed on the transferred national holiday.
Employers and employees should consult the relevant labour rules before determining the compensation due in an individual case.
Are Banks, Schools and Government Offices Closed?
Nationwide public holidays generally affect government offices and ordinary public and private sector working arrangements across Bolivia.
However, banks, healthcare facilities, emergency services, educational institutions and other organizations may have specific operating requirements.
Bank customers should consult their financial institution for branch opening hours, electronic payment arrangements and transaction-processing schedules.
School calendars are managed separately and may include academic vacations or additional local non-teaching days. A school holiday is not necessarily a nationwide public holiday.
Tourist attractions, restaurants, transport companies and accommodation providers may continue operating on public holidays, subject to applicable labour and business requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Bolivia?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Bolivia section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database.
How many public holidays are there in Bolivia in 2026?
Bolivia has 14 officially designated nationwide public holiday dates in 2026. The total includes ordinary statutory holidays, three additional holidays and two transferred holiday dates. Departmental and municipal holidays are excluded.
What is Bolivia's country code?
Bolivia's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is BO. This code is used in international country identification systems and structured public holiday databases.
Is 2 January 2026 a public holiday in Bolivia?
Yes. The Bolivian government declared Friday, 2 January 2026, an additional nationwide public holiday under Supreme Decree No. 5510. The holiday applied to public and private workplaces.
Why was the January public holiday moved in 2026?
Supreme Decree No. 5521 transferred the Plurinational State Foundation Day non-working holiday from Thursday, 22 January, to Friday, 23 January 2026. The government introduced the adjustment to encourage domestic tourism and extended holiday travel.
When is Carnival in Bolivia in 2026?
Carnival Monday fell on 16 February 2026, and Carnival Tuesday on 17 February 2026. Both dates were officially recognized nationwide public holidays.
Is 5 June 2026 a public holiday in Bolivia?
Yes. Friday, 5 June 2026, was declared an additional national public holiday following Corpus Christi on Thursday, 4 June. Both dates were non-working holidays under Supreme Decree No. 5521.
When is Bolivia Independence Day in 2026?
Bolivia's Independence Day fell on Thursday, 6 August 2026. The government also declared Friday, 7 August, an additional nationwide public holiday.
Is National Integration Day a public holiday in Bolivia?
No. National Integration Day is observed on 27 September under Supreme Decree No. 5521, but the decree expressly establishes it without suspension of labour activities. It is a commemorative day rather than a statutory day off.
Do all departments of Bolivia have the same holidays?
All departments observe the national public holiday calendar, but individual departments and municipalities may recognize additional local holidays. These regional observances should be checked separately.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Bolivia
- Supreme Decree No. 5521 – Bolivian Central Bank Legal Repository: Establishes the revised 2026 national holiday calendar, additional holidays, transferred dates and National Integration Day.
- Ministry of Tourism – Official National Holiday Calendar 2026: Publishes the revised schedule and explains the government's domestic tourism objectives.
- Ministry of Labour – Communiqué DGTHSO-045/2025: Confirms nationwide holidays on 1 and 2 January 2026.
- Ministry of Labour – Communiqué DGTHSO-004/26: Confirms the transfer of Plurinational State Foundation Day to 23 January 2026.
- Ministry of Labour – Communiqué DGTHSO-026/2026: Confirms the national Corpus Christi holidays on 4 and 5 June 2026.
- Ministry of Labour – Communiqué DGTHSO-029/2026: Confirms the transferred Andean-Amazonian-Chaco New Year holiday on 22 June 2026.
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