Panama has a lot of holidays, and having not grown up here, it's hard to keep track. Although it seems like an excessive amount of Westerners, you have to take into consideration that the average worker gets up before dawn to ride the bus to work and doesn't get home until after it's dark, 12 hours later. Plus, Saturday morning is considered a work day and most laborers put in a half day on Saturday as well as another five days each week.
Here's a list of the holidays that I've been able to glean from the locals. If I've missed any, email me and let me know.
Here's a list of the holidays that I've been able to glean from the locals. If I've missed any, email me and let me know.
- January - New Year's Day
- January 6 - Dia de los Tres Reyes Magos
- January 9 - Martyr's Day
- Carnival's Monday (the Monday before Ash Wednesday)
- Fat Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday)
- Ash Wednesday
- March 11 - Teacher's Day
- Maundy Thursday (the Day Before Good Friday)
- Good Friday
- Holy Saturday (the Day After Good Friday)
- Easter
- May 1 - May Day/Labor Day
- August 15 - Panama City Day
- June 16 - Father's Day
- August 15 - Anniversary of the Founding of Panama City
- November 1 - Children's Day
- November 2 - All Souls' Day
- November 3 - Anniversary of Separation from Colombia
- November 4 - Flag Day
- November 5 - Colon Day
- November 10 - Anniversary of the First Call for Independence from Spain
- November 28 - Anniversary of Independence from Spain
- December 8 - Mother's Day
- December 24 - Christmas Eve
- December 25 - Christmas Day
- December 31 - New Year's Eve