Colombian Public Holidays

Fixed Holidays:

New Year's Day: January 1st - Marks the beginning of a new year.
International Workers' Day: May 1st - Celebrates the labor movement and workers' rights.
Independence Day: July 20th - Commemorates Colombia's independence from Spain in 1810.
Battle of Boyacá Day: August 7th - Celebrates the decisive victory at the Battle of Boyacá in 1819, a pivotal moment in Colombia's War of Independence.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception: December 8th - An important Catholic feast celebrating the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin.
Christmas Day: December 25th - Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Movable Feasts:

These holidays are typically determined by the lunar calendar and their exact dates vary from year to year:
Holy Week (Semana Santa): Includes Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the Thursday and Friday before Easter Sunday.
Epiphany: Also known as Three Kings' Day, typically celebrated on January 6th.
Saint Joseph's Day: Usually celebrated on March 19th.
Corpus Christi: Celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday.
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul: Usually celebrated on June 29th.
Ascension Day: Occurs 40 days after Easter.
Assumption of the Virgin Mary: Usually celebrated on August 15th.
Columbus Day: October 12th - Commemorates Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas.
Cartagena Independence Day: November 11th - Celebrates Cartagena's independence from Spanish rule.
Note: Holidays like Epiphany, based on the lunar calendar, may have slight variations in their exact dates. Additionally, holidays like Easter and the associated Holy Week are determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.

Work Week:

Colombian law mandates a 5-day workweek of 8 hours per day, with Saturdays and Sundays as official rest days. However, some businesses may require work on Saturday mornings.

Special Holidays in Colombia

Holy Week (Semana Santa): One of Colombia's most important religious holidays, Holy Week is marked by elaborate religious processions throughout the country. People don colorful attire and carry ornate floats depicting the Passion of Christ. The processions are truly a sight to behold.

Independence Day (Día de la Independencia): Celebrated on July 20th, Colombia's Independence Day is a time for nationwide festivities. Parades, concerts, and fireworks displays are common sights during this time, as Colombians commemorate their nation's independence.

Battle of Boyacá Day (Batalla de Boyacá): On August 7th, Colombians commemorate the Battle of Boyacá, a pivotal victory in their war of independence. This day is a significant national holiday.

2025 Public Holidays

New Year's Day: January 1st, Tuesday
Epiphany: January 6th, Sunday (date based on the Christian liturgical calendar)
International Workers' Day: May 1st, Wednesday
Independence Day: July 20th, Saturday
Battle of Boyacá Day: August 7th, Wednesday
Feast of the Immaculate Conception: December 8th, Sunday
Christmas Day: December 25th, Wednesday
Please note: Some religious holidays, such as Epiphany, are based on the lunar calendar and their exact dates may vary. Additionally, holidays like Easter and the associated Holy Week are determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.

Holiday Operations

Due to varying company policies and internal arrangements, the operational hours of shipping companies, airlines, freight forwarders, railways, couriers, and logistics companies may differ during Colombian public holidays. To ensure uninterrupted logistics services, it's advisable to contact these companies beforehand to inquire about their specific service arrangements during holiday periods and make necessary preparations.