Public Holidays in Paraguay 2026 – National & Public Holidays
Paraguay observes a blend of national, religious, and historical public holidays. Most holidays are fixed by law, while Easter-related observances follow the Christian calendar and move each year.
Explore more: Public Holidays in Papua New Guinea
Travel Tip: May and December are peak periods for cultural and religious travel — especially around Independence Day and the pilgrimage associated with places to visit in Paraguay.
Public Holidays in Paraguay 2026
| Date | Weekday | Holiday | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo) | Nationwide public holiday |
| March 1 | Sunday | Heroes’ Day (Día de los Héroes) | Commemorates national heroes |
| April 2 | Thursday | Maundy Thursday (Jueves Santo) | Holy Week observance |
| April 3 | Friday | Good Friday (Viernes Santo) | Christian public holiday |
| April 5 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Religious observance |
| April 6 | Monday | Easter Monday | Often observed by public sector |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day (Día del Trabajo) | International Workers’ Day |
| May 14 | Thursday | Independence Holiday (Eve) | Pre-Independence observance |
| May 15 | Friday | Independence Day | Independence from Spain |
| June 12 | Friday | Chaco Armistice Day | End of the Chaco War |
| August 15 | Saturday | Founding of Asunción / Assumption | Capital foundation & religious observance |
| September 29 | Tuesday | Victory Day at Boquerón | Historic military victory |
| December 8 | Tuesday | Virgin of Caacupé Day | Major religious pilgrimage |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day (Navidad) | Christian public holiday |
| December 31 | Thursday | New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja) | Often bank / observance day |
Public Holidays in Paraguay 2025
| Date | Weekday | Holiday | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo) | Nationwide holiday |
| March 1 | Saturday | Heroes’ Day | Remembrance of national heroes |
| April 17 | Thursday | Maundy Thursday | Holy Week observance |
| April 18 | Friday | Good Friday | Christian public holiday |
| April 20 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Religious observance |
| April 21 | Monday | Easter Monday | Often observed |
| May 1 | Thursday | Labour Day | International Workers’ Day |
| May 14 | Wednesday | Independence Holiday (Eve) | Pre-Independence observance |
| May 15 | Thursday | Independence Day | National independence |
| June 12 | Thursday | Chaco Armistice Day | End of Chaco War |
| August 15 | Friday | Founding of Asunción / Assumption | Religious & civic observance |
| September 29 | Monday | Victory Day at Boquerón | Historic commemoration |
| December 8 | Monday | Virgin of Caacupé Day | Major pilgrimage |
| December 25 | Thursday | Christmas Day | Christian holiday |
| December 31 | Wednesday | New Year’s Eve | Bank / observance day |
Notes & Observations
- Easter-related holidays are movable and follow the Christian calendar.
- Independence celebrations span 14–15 May, with the eve often treated as a public observance.
- Virgin of Caacupé Day (8 December) is one of Paraguay’s most significant religious holidays.
- Some observance days (e.g., Easter Monday, New Year’s Eve) may not apply uniformly across all sectors.
- Official holiday calendars may be refined by government decree.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Paraguay have in 2026?
Paraguay observes approximately 14 national public holidays in 2026, including observance and bank holidays.
Do Holy Week holidays change each year?
Yes. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday are movable and depend on the Christian calendar.
Is 14 May a full public holiday?
14 May is observed as the eve of Independence Day; whether it is a full holiday can vary by sector.
Why is Virgin of Caacupé Day important?
Virgin of Caacupé Day (8 December) marks a major national pilgrimage and is one of Paraguay’s most widely observed religious holidays.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Paraguay reflect a strong blend of religious devotion, national history, and civic pride. From Independence celebrations in May to Holy Week and the pilgrimage season in December, these holidays play a central role in Paraguayan public life. Always confirm dates with official government sources closer to the holiday period.
