Nicaragua has 13 applicable nationwide statutory public-holiday dates in 2026. The schedule is based primarily on Article 66 of the Labour Code as amended by Law No. 1272, which added new national holidays in 2026. Because that amendment entered into force on 20 January 2026, the newly created January 18 holiday is not counted for the 2026 calendar.
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Next Public Holiday in Nicaragua
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 8, 2026 | Sunday | National Holiday in Honour of Commander Carlos Fonseca Amador | Confirmed |
Public Holidays in Nicaragua 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Confirmed |
| February 2, 2026 | Monday | National Day of Reconciliation and Peace | Confirmed |
| February 21, 2026 | Saturday | National Holiday in Honour of Augusto C. Sandino | Confirmed |
| April 2, 2026 | Thursday | Maundy Thursday | Confirmed |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Confirmed |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day | Confirmed |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | Mother’s Day | Confirmed |
| July 19, 2026 | Sunday | Anniversary of the Sandinista Popular Revolution | Confirmed |
| September 14, 2026 | Monday | Battle of San Jacinto Day | Confirmed |
| September 15, 2026 | Tuesday | Independence Day | Confirmed |
| November 8, 2026 | Sunday | National Holiday in Honour of Commander Carlos Fonseca Amador | Confirmed |
| December 8, 2026 | Tuesday | Immaculate Conception | Confirmed |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Confirmed |
How Public Holidays Work in Nicaragua
Nicaragua's Labour Code identifies mandatory national holidays that carry the right to rest and salary. Article 66 covers fixed civic holidays, Holy Week holidays and nationally recognized commemorative dates.
The Presidency may also declare additional paid days off or days charged against vacation, nationally or municipally. Such special declarations are separate from the permanent statutory holidays listed in Article 66 and should not automatically be treated as recurring nationwide public holidays.
New National Holidays Added by Law No. 1272
Law No. 1272 amended Article 66 of Nicaragua's Labour Code in January 2026. It added four dates to the statutory national-holiday framework: 18 January, 2 February, 21 February and 8 November.
National Day of Reconciliation and Peace
February 2 is the National Day of Reconciliation and Peace. Law No. 1272 links the date to the life and legacy of Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo and includes it among Nicaragua's mandatory nationwide holidays.
February 21 Holiday Honouring Augusto C. Sandino
February 21 is a mandatory national holiday honouring Augusto C. Sandino and his role in the defence of Nicaragua's national sovereignty.
November 8 Holiday Honouring Carlos Fonseca Amador
November 8 is a nationwide statutory holiday honouring Commander Carlos Fonseca Amador, identified in Law No. 1272 in connection with the history of the Sandinista National Liberation Front and the Sandinista Popular Revolution.
Why January 18 Is Not Counted as a 2026 Public Holiday
Law No. 1272 also established January 18 as an annual national holiday associated with Rubén Darío. However, the law was published in the Official Gazette on January 20, 2026 and states that it enters into force from the date of publication.
Because January 18, 2026 had already passed before the law entered into force and the law contains no retroactive provision, the date is not included in the verified 2026 public-holiday database. It should be treated as a statutory annual holiday for subsequent years unless later legislation changes the rule.
Holy Week Public Holidays in Nicaragua
Nicaragua's Labour Code expressly recognizes Holy Thursday and Good Friday as mandatory national holidays. In 2026, these fall on April 2 and April 3.
Holy Saturday is not listed in Article 66 as a nationwide statutory holiday. Businesses, institutions or public authorities may provide additional Holy Week leave, but that does not make Holy Saturday part of the permanent national public-holiday list.
Mother's Day Is a National Public Holiday
May 30 is Mother's Day and a mandatory nationwide holiday in Nicaragua. Law No. 1118 amended Article 66 of the Labour Code to expressly add May 30 to the statutory holiday list.
This means Mother's Day should be included in Nicaragua's national public-holiday database rather than treated only as a cultural observance.
Patriotic Public Holidays in Nicaragua
July 19
July 19 is a mandatory national holiday marking the anniversary of the Sandinista Popular Revolution. It is expressly included in Article 66 of the Labour Code.
Battle of San Jacinto Day
September 14 is a statutory public holiday associated with the Battle of San Jacinto, one of Nicaragua's principal patriotic commemorations.
Independence Day
September 15 is Nicaragua's Independence Day and is a mandatory national holiday. September 14 and September 15 are both separately recognized under Article 66.
Religious Public Holidays in Nicaragua
The permanent statutory calendar includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Immaculate Conception on December 8 and Christmas Day on December 25.
Holy Thursday and Good Friday move each year according to the Easter calendar, while December 8 and December 25 remain fixed Gregorian dates.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Nicaragua?
Yes. Article 66 describes Nicaragua's statutory national holidays as mandatory holidays with the right to rest and salary. Employment arrangements for activities that cannot be interrupted may be subject to the Labour Code's separate rules.
Can Nicaragua Declare Additional Days Off?
Yes. The Labour Code allows the Presidency to declare additional days of paid leave or days charged against vacation at national or municipal level.
These special days should be distinguished from the recurring statutory holidays permanently listed in Article 66. A one-off government day off does not automatically become an annual nationwide public holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nationwide public holidays does Nicaragua have in 2026?
Nicaragua has 13 applicable nationwide statutory public-holiday dates in 2026 when January 18 is excluded because the law creating that holiday did not take effect until January 20, 2026.
Did Nicaragua add new public holidays in 2026?
Yes. Law No. 1272 added January 18, February 2, February 21 and November 8 to Article 66 of the Labour Code. For the 2026 calendar, February 2, February 21 and November 8 apply because the law was already in force on those dates.
Is January 18 a public holiday in Nicaragua?
January 18 is now a statutory annual national holiday under Law No. 1272. However, it is not counted in the verified 2026 schedule because the law entered into force on January 20, 2026.
Is February 2 a public holiday in Nicaragua?
Yes. February 2 is the National Day of Reconciliation and Peace and became a mandatory national holiday under Law No. 1272.
Is February 21 a national holiday in Nicaragua?
Yes. February 21 is a mandatory national holiday established in honour of Augusto C. Sandino.
Is Mother's Day a public holiday in Nicaragua?
Yes. May 30 is a mandatory nationwide public holiday under Article 66 of the Labour Code following the amendment introduced by Law No. 1118.
Is Holy Saturday a public holiday in Nicaragua?
No. Article 66 expressly lists Holy Thursday and Good Friday but does not list Holy Saturday as a permanent nationwide statutory public holiday.
Are September 14 and September 15 both public holidays?
Yes. September 14 and September 15 are separately listed as mandatory national holidays under Nicaragua's Labour Code.
Is November 8 a public holiday in Nicaragua?
Yes. Law No. 1272 made November 8 a mandatory national holiday honouring Commander Carlos Fonseca Amador.
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