Public holidays in Brazil in 2026 include 10 nationwide holidays officially identified by the federal government, alongside nine optional observance dates for federal public administration. The calendar covers national celebrations, Christian religious holidays and the National Day of Zumbi and Black Consciousness.
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Brazil also recognizes state and municipal holidays, which means additional days off can vary by location. This guide explains the official 2026 holiday schedule, the difference between public holidays and pontos facultativos, Carnival and Corpus Christi rules, regional observances and long-weekend opportunities.
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Public Holidays in Brazil 2026
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Brazil's official 2026 federal holiday calendar is established by Portaria MGI No. 11,460 of 29 December 2025, issued by the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services.
The ordinance identifies national public holidays and separately establishes optional non-working dates for federal government departments and agencies. Essential public services may continue operating during these periods.
Regional holidays are not included in the nationwide schedule because their legal applicability depends on individual states and municipalities.
How Many Public Holidays Are There in Brazil in 2026?
Brazil has 10 nationwide public holidays in 2026, according to the official federal calendar published on 30 December 2025.
These include New Year's Day, Good Friday, Tiradentes Day, Labour Day, Independence Day, Our Lady of Aparecida Day, All Souls' Day, Proclamation of the Republic Day, the National Day of Zumbi and Black Consciousness, and Christmas Day.
The federal calendar also establishes nine optional observance dates, known in Portuguese as pontos facultativos. These are separate from mandatory national public holidays.
The nationwide total does not include additional state or municipal holidays. The actual number of legally recognized holidays in a particular Brazilian city may therefore be higher.
National and Civic Holidays in Brazil
Brazil's national holidays commemorate important events in the country's independence, political history, labour movement and social development.
Tiradentes Day
Tiradentes Day is observed annually on 21 April in remembrance of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, known as Tiradentes, a leading figure associated with the Inconfidência Mineira movement against Portuguese colonial rule.
The date commemorates his execution in 1792 and recognizes his place in Brazil's independence history.
In 2026, Tiradentes Day falls on Tuesday, 21 April. It is a nationwide public holiday established under federal legislation.
Labour Day
Labour Day, known in Portuguese as Dia Mundial do Trabalho, is celebrated on 1 May.
The holiday recognizes workers and the historical development of labour rights in Brazil. It is observed nationwide and is included in the federal public holiday calendar.
In 2026, Labour Day falls on Friday, creating a three-day break for employees who normally have Saturdays and Sundays off.
Brazil Independence Day
Brazil celebrates Independence Day on 7 September each year, commemorating the declaration of independence from Portugal in 1822.
Independence Day is one of Brazil's most significant national celebrations and is associated with civic ceremonies, patriotic activities and official events.
In 2026, Independence Day falls on Monday, 7 September, creating a three-day weekend for employees with a standard Saturday–Sunday weekend.
Proclamation of the Republic Day
Proclamation of the Republic Day is celebrated on 15 November. It commemorates the establishment of the Brazilian republic in 1889, ending the country's monarchy.
In 2026, the holiday falls on Sunday, 15 November.
The official federal calendar does not designate an additional substitute non-working day for this weekend occurrence. The holiday remains recognized on its original date.
National Day of Zumbi and Black Consciousness
The National Day of Zumbi and Black Consciousness, known in Portuguese as Dia Nacional de Zumbi e da Consciência Negra, is celebrated on 20 November.
The observance honours Zumbi dos Palmares and recognizes the history, contributions and struggles of Afro-Brazilian communities, including resistance to slavery and the continuing pursuit of racial equality.
Federal Law No. 14,759 of 21 December 2023 established 20 November as a nationwide public holiday.
In 2026, the holiday falls on Friday, providing a three-day weekend for employees who normally do not work on Saturdays and Sundays.
Religious Public Holidays in Brazil
Brazil's national holiday calendar includes several Christian observances that are widely recognized throughout the country.
Other religious celebrations may be observed as optional days at the federal level or recognized as public holidays under state or municipal legislation.
Good Friday
Good Friday, known in Portuguese as Paixão de Cristo or Sexta-Feira Santa, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
In 2026, Good Friday falls on Friday, 3 April and is expressly included among the national holidays in the federal government's annual calendar.
The date is associated with religious services, reflection and traditional Christian observances.
Our Lady of Aparecida Day
Our Lady of Aparecida Day is observed annually on 12 October. The holiday honours Nossa Senhora Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil.
It is an official nationwide public holiday under Federal Law No. 6,802 of 30 June 1980.
In 2026, the holiday falls on Monday, 12 October.
The date also coincides with Children's Day in Brazil. However, its national public holiday status is established in recognition of Our Lady of Aparecida rather than Children's Day itself.
All Souls' Day
All Souls' Day, known in Portuguese as Finados, is observed on 2 November.
The holiday is traditionally associated with remembering deceased relatives and loved ones. Many families visit cemeteries, attend religious services and honour the memory of those who have died.
In 2026, All Souls' Day falls on Monday, 2 November and is recognized as a nationwide public holiday.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is celebrated on 25 December and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday, 25 December, creating a three-day weekend for employees with a standard Saturday–Sunday schedule.
Christmas Eve on 24 December is not a separate nationwide mandatory public holiday. The federal government designates it as an optional observance after 1 PM for federal public administration.
Is Carnival a Public Holiday in Brazil in 2026?
Carnival is not a nationwide mandatory public holiday under Brazil's 2026 federal holiday ordinance. Instead, Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday are designated as pontos facultativos for federal public administration.
The official 2026 federal observances are:
- Monday, 16 February: Carnival Monday, optional federal observance.
- Tuesday, 17 February: Carnival Tuesday, optional federal observance.
- Wednesday, 18 February: Ash Wednesday, optional federal observance until 2 PM.
Although Carnival is one of Brazil's most prominent cultural celebrations, its legal treatment varies between locations and institutions.
Some states and municipalities recognize local holidays during Carnival. Private employers may also establish their own operating arrangements or apply relevant collective agreements.
The federal classification alone does not establish a mandatory day off for every worker in Brazil.
What Are Optional Public Holidays in Brazil?
Brazil uses the term ponto facultativo for an optional non-working date, particularly within public administration.
A ponto facultativo differs from a nationwide public holiday because it does not automatically create the same statutory obligation for all private-sector employers.
For 2026, the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services identifies nine optional federal observances:
- 16 February: Carnival Monday.
- 17 February: Carnival Tuesday.
- 18 February: Ash Wednesday, until 2 PM.
- 20 April: Optional administrative non-working day.
- 4 June: Corpus Christi.
- 5 June: Optional administrative non-working day.
- 28 October: Federal Civil Servants' Day.
- 24 December: Christmas Eve, after 1 PM.
- 31 December: New Year's Eve, after 1 PM.
These dates are established in Portaria MGI No. 11,460/2025 for federal public administration.
Private employers and local government institutions may apply different arrangements, depending on applicable laws, employment agreements and administrative decisions.
Is Corpus Christi a Public Holiday in Brazil?
Corpus Christi falls on Thursday, 4 June 2026. At the federal level, it is classified as a ponto facultativo rather than a nationwide mandatory public holiday.
The Christian celebration honours the Eucharist and is traditionally marked by religious processions and church services.
Some Brazilian municipalities recognize Corpus Christi as a local public holiday under municipal legislation.
The federal government also designates Friday, 5 June 2026 as an optional administrative non-working day, creating the possibility of an extended break for eligible federal employees.
Employees outside the federal public administration should check their municipality's legislation and their employer's arrangements before assuming that Corpus Christi or the following Friday is a day off.
State and Municipal Public Holidays in Brazil
Brazil's holiday system operates at national, state and municipal levels.
Alongside nationwide public holidays, individual states and municipalities may recognize additional dates through applicable legislation.
Examples include:
- State holidays: Celebrations recognizing a state's historical or civic significance, where established by state law.
- Municipal holidays: Local anniversaries, religious patron-saint celebrations and other dates authorized by municipal legislation.
- Religious holidays: Observances recognized locally under the rules governing municipal religious holidays.
Federal Law No. 9,093 of 12 September 1995 establishes important rules governing civil and religious holidays declared at different levels of government.
The law recognizes state holidays commemorating a state's principal historical date and regulates the declaration of certain municipal religious holidays.
Because these dates vary geographically, they are not included in the nationwide VisaBoards holiday dataset.
Anyone planning work, travel, government appointments or banking transactions should verify the applicable state and municipal calendars for their location.
Long Weekends in Brazil in 2026
Brazil's 2026 national holiday calendar includes several opportunities for extended weekends, especially where holidays fall on Mondays or Fridays.
For employees who normally work Monday to Friday, the following nationwide public holidays create three-day weekends:
- 3–5 April: Good Friday on 3 April.
- 1–3 May: Labour Day on 1 May.
- 5–7 September: Independence Day on 7 September.
- 10–12 October: Our Lady of Aparecida Day on 12 October.
- 31 October–2 November: All Souls' Day on 2 November.
- 20–22 November: National Day of Zumbi and Black Consciousness on 20 November.
- 25–27 December: Christmas Day on 25 December.
Tiradentes Day on Tuesday, 21 April may also offer an extended break for eligible federal employees because Monday, 20 April is designated as an optional administrative non-working day.
Similarly, Corpus Christi on Thursday, 4 June and the optional federal observance on Friday, 5 June may create a longer break within federal public administration.
These arrangements should not be interpreted as additional nationwide statutory holidays. Working schedules and leave entitlements depend on the relevant employer and legal framework.
Does Brazil Provide Substitute Holidays?
Brazil does not have a general nationwide rule that automatically moves every public holiday falling on a Sunday to the following Monday.
The 2026 federal calendar provides an example through Proclamation of the Republic Day, which falls on Sunday, 15 November.
No nationwide substitute holiday is designated for Monday, 16 November in the official federal schedule.
Specific employment arrangements or local rules may differ, but they should not be confused with an automatically established national replacement holiday.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Brazil?
Brazilian labour legislation establishes rights relating to rest on legally recognized public holidays for employees covered by the applicable employment framework.
Under Federal Law No. 605 of 5 January 1949, employees generally have a right to paid rest on legally recognized holidays, subject to the relevant conditions and statutory exceptions.
Where work on a public holiday is permitted, the legislation addresses compensation through additional remuneration or corresponding rest arrangements.
The practical application depends on the employment relationship, industry rules, work schedule and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
Optional federal observances, known as pontos facultativos, should not be treated as automatically equivalent to mandatory statutory public holidays for private-sector employees.
Are Banks, Schools and Government Offices Closed on Public Holidays?
Nationwide public holidays affect the normal operating arrangements of many Brazilian institutions. However, the extent of closures can differ across public services, financial institutions, schools and private businesses.
Government Offices
Federal government departments and agencies follow the official holiday and optional observance calendar established by the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services.
Essential services may continue operating during holiday periods, as provided in the federal ordinance.
Banks and Financial Institutions
Bank branches generally do not provide ordinary in-person services on national public holidays, although digital banking and certain payment services may remain available.
Customers should consult their bank's published operating calendar, particularly for transactions requiring settlement or branch assistance.
Schools and Educational Institutions
Schools usually observe applicable national holidays and may also close for state or municipal holidays.
Academic calendars, school vacations and institution-specific closure dates are determined separately by the relevant education authorities and institutions.
Shops, Restaurants and Public Transport
Retail stores, restaurants, hotels and transport services may operate during public holidays, subject to applicable regulations and individual operating schedules.
Opening hours may differ during Carnival, Easter, Christmas and major local celebrations.
Visitors should check the operating arrangements of individual businesses and transport operators before planning activities on a holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Brazil?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Brazil section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database.
How many public holidays are there in Brazil in 2026?
Brazil has 10 nationwide public holidays in 2026 under the official federal calendar. The government also identifies nine optional federal observance dates, which are separate from mandatory national holidays. Additional state and municipal holidays may apply locally.
What is Brazil's country code?
Brazil's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is BR. It is used for international country identification and structured public holiday databases.
Is Carnival a national public holiday in Brazil?
No. Carnival is classified as a federal optional observance rather than a nationwide mandatory public holiday. Some states and municipalities may establish their own legal holidays, and private employers may have separate arrangements.
When is Carnival in Brazil in 2026?
Carnival Monday falls on 16 February and Carnival Tuesday on 17 February 2026. Ash Wednesday falls on 18 February, with federal optional observance status until 2 PM.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Brazil in 2026?
Yes. Good Friday falls on Friday, 3 April 2026 and is expressly listed as a national public holiday in the federal government's official annual calendar.
Is Corpus Christi a nationwide public holiday in Brazil?
No. Corpus Christi is classified as a ponto facultativo at the federal level. In 2026, it falls on Thursday, 4 June. Some municipalities may recognize it as a local public holiday under their own legislation.
Is Black Consciousness Day a nationwide public holiday in Brazil?
Yes. The National Day of Zumbi and Black Consciousness is celebrated on 20 November and became a nationwide public holiday under Federal Law No. 14,759 of 21 December 2023.
Do public holidays vary between Brazilian states and municipalities?
Yes. Brazil has nationwide public holidays alongside additional dates recognized under state and municipal legislation. Local holidays may commemorate historical events, civic anniversaries or religious observances.
Does Brazil give a substitute holiday when a public holiday falls on Sunday?
Brazil does not apply a general automatic nationwide Monday substitution rule. In 2026, Proclamation of the Republic Day falls on Sunday, 15 November, and the federal calendar does not designate a replacement holiday on Monday.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Brazil
Brazil's 2026 national holiday schedule is supported by the federal government's annual ordinance and applicable federal legislation. The following sources provide the legal and administrative basis for the dates and classifications used in this guide.
- Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services – Portaria MGI No. 11,460/2025: Establishes the 2026 national holiday and optional federal observance schedule.
- Brazilian Federal Government – Official 2026 Holiday Calendar: Publishes the national holidays and optional observance dates for federal public administration.
- Presidency of Brazil – Federal Law No. 10,607/2002: Establishes important nationwide civil holiday dates.
- Presidency of Brazil – Federal Law No. 6,802/1980: Establishes Our Lady of Aparecida Day as a nationwide holiday.
- Presidency of Brazil – Federal Law No. 14,759/2023: Declares 20 November a nationwide public holiday for the National Day of Zumbi and Black Consciousness.
- Presidency of Brazil – Federal Law No. 9,093/1995: Establishes rules governing civil and religious holidays declared at national, state and municipal levels.
- Presidency of Brazil – Federal Law No. 605/1949: Provides the legal framework for weekly paid rest and remuneration relating to civil and religious holidays.
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