2025 Holidays - Colombia
| Name | Weekday | Date | Type | Subdivisions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Wednesday | Jan. 1, 2025 | National | All |
| Epiphany Holiday | Monday | Jan. 6, 2025 | National | All |
| St. Joseph's Day | Monday | March 24, 2025 | National | All |
| Maundy Thursday | Thursday | April 17, 2025 | National | All |
| Good Friday | Friday | April 18, 2025 | National | All |
| Labour Day | Thursday | May 1, 2025 | National | All |
| Ascension Day | Monday | June 2, 2025 | National | All |
| Corpus Christi | Monday | June 23, 2025 | National | All |
| Sacred Heart | Monday | June 30, 2025 | National | All |
| Saints Peter and Paul's Day | Monday | June 30, 2025 | National | All |
| Declaration of Independence | Sunday | July 20, 2025 | National | All |
| Battle of Boyacá | Thursday | Aug. 7, 2025 | National | All |
| Assumption Day | Monday | Aug. 18, 2025 | National | All |
| Day of the Races | Monday | Oct. 13, 2025 | National | All |
| All Saints' Day Holiday | Monday | Nov. 3, 2025 | National | All |
| Independence of Cartagena | Monday | Nov. 17, 2025 | National | All |
| Immaculate Conception Day | Monday | Dec. 8, 2025 | National | All |
| Christmas Day | Thursday | Dec. 25, 2025 | National | All |
* Estimated holiday dates
We continuously monitor and update holiday information, but there may be occasional inaccuracies.
Colombia workweek and weekend
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workday | Workday | Workday | Workday | Workday | Weekend | Weekend |
Colombia Public Holiday Observance Rules
Overview
Colombia has a system governed by Law 51 of 1983 (the “Ley Emiliani”), which moves many holidays falling on weekdays to the following Monday, creating long weekends. However, some holidays remain on their exact dates. Below are general rules.
1. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday
- Movable vs. fixed holidays: Movable holidays falling on Sunday are typically moved to Monday. Fixed holidays (e.g., Independence Day, Christmas) remain on their calendar date.
- Employer obligations: If the holiday moves to Monday, employers must treat that Monday as the holiday. Employees who work that day must receive holiday pay or overtime in accordance with labor laws.
2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday
- Same approach: If it is a movable holiday, it shifts to the next Monday; if it’s a fixed holiday, it remains on Saturday.
- Weekend work: Employees who normally work Saturdays are entitled to holiday pay or compensatory rest if they work on a Saturday holiday.
- No shift for fixed dates: Fixed-date holidays stay put, even if they land on Saturday.
3. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)
- “Ley Emiliani” principle: Many holidays are “moved” to Monday to form a long weekend, rather than having an informal bridging day.
- Legal basis: The transfer of specific religious and civic holidays to Monday is mandated by law, not employer choice.
- Additional time off: Employers may add extra days, but they cannot reduce official holiday rights.
4. Special Cases for Public Holidays
- Holy Thursday & Good Friday: These remain on their respective dates (Thursday, Friday before Easter) and are not moved to Monday.
- Fixed holidays: Days like Christmas (25 Dec), Independence Day (20 Jul), Labor Day (1 May) do not shift if they fall on a weekend.
- Local holidays: Cities or departments may have their own festivity days recognized locally.
5. Additional Notes
- Official calendar: Each year, the government publishes a list of holidays, specifying which are moved and which stay on the exact date.
- Overtime/holiday pay: Employees working on a holiday (original or moved) must receive premium pay, typically 1.75x or higher, according to labor regulations.
- Enforcement: Compliance is overseen by the Ministry of Labor. Employers must observe and compensate for holidays as mandated.
- Employer flexibility: Employers may grant more generous arrangements (extra bridging days, flexible schedules) but cannot negate legal holiday entitlements.